Careers at VOLTS
The VOLTS ecosystem offers purpose-driven career pathways for individuals passionate about cooperative ownership, community development, and economic justice—particularly for those impacted by incarceration. Whether in food service, construction, administration, education, or outreach, VOLTS careers center on leadership, shared ownership, and building local wealth. We provide opportunities to work, train, and grow within a supportive, values-based environment committed to transforming underutilized spaces into thriving, cooperatively run businesses that serve and uplift our communities.
The Cooperative Business Launch Lead at Village of Leaders Thriving in Solidarity is a hands-on, collaborative role focused on helping launch and stabilize worker-owned businesses in Chicago, particularly in food manufacturing and property management. Working closely with worker-owners as a partner and advisor—not a traditional top-down leader—you’ll support core areas like revenue generation, operations, and strategy while building systems that enable long-term sustainability and democratic ownership. This position is ideal for someone entrepreneurial, adaptable, and grounded in economic justice, who can both execute and teach—helping transition skills and decision-making power to worker-owners over time, with the ultimate goal of creating thriving, self-sustaining cooperatives that provide dignified, living-wage opportunities.
Salary range of $95,000–$105,000, depending on experience