Apply to be a REP Captain

REP has hired all of its captains for the 2008-2009 academic year, but one of the captains will be graduating at the end of the year, so it's never too early to start thinking about next year. If you're interested, please read on for the REP Captain position announcement, application instructions, and full job details below.

Application deadline: TBD! Stay tuned!

Leaders wanted: Resource Efficiency Program (REP) Captain Position!

Do you want to...

  • Gain experience managing 16 student employees?  
  • Gain leadership skills?
  • Learn about environmentalism at Harvard?  
  • See concrete results of your work in reducing Harvard's "ecological footprint"?  
  • Inspire our campus?  
  • Get paid over $10 per hour?

Apply to work as a Resource Efficiency Program (REP) Captain!

We are currently looking for one enthusiastic, dedicated, and visionary leader to serve in the role of REP Captain, to work closely with the REP coordinator, another REP Captain, and the Yard Captain. This is a paid position, at $10.60 per hour, for 10 hours per week.

The Harvard Resource Efficiency Program (REP) is a dorm-based effort to increase environmentally sustainable behavior among Harvard undergraduates.   In the past four years, the REP team has been highly effective in increasing recycling, reducing waste, and conserving energy and water on Harvard's campus.   One of the most dynamic and active groups on campus, REP saved the university $120,000 in its first year of operation, reduced our campus' "ecological footprint", and increased our campus' recycling by 26% in the 2002-2003 school year.   Such improvements wouldn't have been possible without the involvement and support of our entire campus - thus, we need strong leaders to continue inspiring our campus!

How to Apply

To apply, submit:  

  • A letter explaining your qualifications for the REP Captain position, the reasons why you want this job, and the hours per week you expect to spend on spring jobs/extracurriculars if selected as REP Captain. If you are work-study eligible, please note this in your letter (note that work-study is neither a requirement nor part of the selection criteria).
  • A resume that includes your year, concentration, dorm, and contact information.  

Save both your letter & resume as *one* Word document entitled, "REP Captain Application [your name]." Email with subject "REP Captain Application" to REPcaptains@gmail.com, by the deadline.   Please email ahead of time if you have any questions.

Job Details

Perks

  • Extremely rewarding; see tangible results of your efforts
  • Learn about conservation issues & how Harvard and other large organizations are run
  • Gain experience interacting with others in a professional setting
  • Support from fellow captains and coordinator
  • Impressive addition to a resume (Past captains have earned campus leadership awards, environmental fellowships, and other post-graduate fellowships in recognition of their work.)
  • Opportunities to write articles, present at conferences

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Yard Captain

    • Manage 3-4 Yard REPs as a mentor, meeting them weekly
    • Plan and monitor themed activities in two-week periods, using proven educational and marketing tools
    • Work directly with a large team of eco-Project volunteers, coordinating their efforts
    • Help organize REP's efforts in the first-year dorms, and customize REP tasks for the first-year students
    • Work closely with the Co-Captains and the Coordinator
    • Work with the Steering Group, which consists of representatives from our funders and the Environmental Action Committee
    • Work with Undergraduate Council, Freshman Dean's Office, campus publications, and other campus offices
    • Meet many deadlines with short notice
    • Research and write information sheets for the Reps to use - this often involves finding information from other universities, books, internet and scholarly sources
    • Recruit and interview REP candidates in first two weeks of September
    • Coordinate Move-in Outreach for the Freshman Class
    • Work 10 hours per week (excluding finals)
    • One year (two consecutive semesters) commitment.
  • Upperclass Co-Captains
    • Manage 15-17 student employees
    • Plan and monitor themed activities in two-week periods, using proven educational and marketing tools
    • Plan and run biweekly meetings and fall orientation
    • Work closely with the other Captains, and the Coordinator
    • Work with the Steering Group, which consists of representatives from our funders and the Environmental Action Committee
    • Work with Undergraduate Council, Dean's Office, campus publications, and other campus offices
    • Meet many deadlines with short notice
    • Document REP successes and methods for improvement
    • Research and write information sheets for the Reps to use - this often involves finding information from other universities, books, internet and scholarly sources
    • Recruit and interview REP candidates in the Houses
    • Work 10 hours per week (excluding finals)
    • One year (two consecutive semesters) commitment.

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Vision for the Resource Efficiency Program and conservation at Harvard in general
  • Passion and enthusiasm about campus environmentalism
  • Professional attitude in personal interactions and written communication
  • Initiative, self-motivation, and strong sense of responsibility
  • Excellent time management, organizational, and written communication skills
  • Sensitivity to other viewpoints
  • Ability to resolve problems quickly
  • Promptness with emails; Ability to meet deadlines; Not over-committed
  • Attendance at biweekly REP meetings (1.5 hrs/each) and monthly Steering Group meetings (1.5 hrs/each)
  • Preferably a rising junior or non-thesis senior  
  • Living on campus
  • Familiarity with digital photography or web design helpful
  • Prefer candidates who can work (paid hours) with the Coordinator for at least a week over the summer