Moving here may lead to exciting turns in your career trajectory. While the smaller scale of the local economy and its organizations means people in some careers could face fewer job options, you can also seize the opportunity to follow your interests to a different line of work. Local employers are often open to this! The smaller employment pool means they are more willing to hire people without decades of relevant experience.
Living here might also inspire you to follow your dreams and open a business. The area’s creative and supportive environment nudges many people to take this leap. And with so many business owners nearing retirement age, there are more and more opportunities to buy a successful business. If this interests you, get in touch with the BDCC about their business transition workshops.
If bringing balance to your life is more important to you than advancement along a specific career path, you’ll soon find your new groove in Southern Vermont.
In addition to perusing job boards and job search websites, it may be helpful to join a town Facebook group and post a bit about yourself and what types of jobs you’re looking for (i.e. Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and Dover / Wilmington groups). A lot of things get done by word of mouth around here!
Unfortunately, when it comes to high level jobs, local employers don’t always post openings. With that in mind, it could work in your favor to research area employers, and send your resume and cover letter to the ones that interest you. You could even ask for an informational interview– if nothing else, you will start making connections!
Working from home isn’t just a city thing! More than 80% of Vermont locations have access to high speed broadband internet (with a 100/20 minimum speed), and that access continues to grow. This interactive map allows you to search for internet speed by address. Fidium Fiber and Comcast are commercial internet providers, and DVFiber is a local non-profit organization that is advancing broadband connectivity throughout the county. Satellite internet is a popular option in areas awaiting broadband connectivity.
If remote work feels a little too remote sometimes, the region’s larger towns offer modern coworking spaces– like BiziTown in Brattleboro. There are plenty of opportunities to make connections– the BDCC offers a variety of professional networking and training events, plus groups such as Southern Vermont Young Professionals.
With an aging population and job openings growing faster than job seekers, Southern Vermont needs talented workers. The region is expected to keep adding jobs, with most new jobs paying higher than the area’s average salary of $65,000. Growing industries include healthcare and social services, government, manufacturing, and professional services (source: SoVermont CEDS, 2024).
If you are looking for a job that aligns with your values, then it’s good to know that non-profits and mission-driven orgs, socially responsible companies, and sustainability-focused enterprises are continuing to emerge as leaders in Southern Vermont.
Vermont has a business culture that values employee wellbeing, sustainability, collaboration and transparency. Maybe that’s why so many companies here are socially responsible and community oriented. Vermont has one of the highest rates of employee ownership, with over 55 companies structured this way. Employees who have a stake in decision making and a share of the outcomes have greater job satisfaction and productivity, and lower pay gaps. Local employee- owned companies include Trust Company of Vermont, Green Mountain Spinnery, Chroma Technology, Swiss Precision Turning, Green River Data Analysis, Austin Design Cooperative and Putney Mountain Winery.
Vermont also has the highest number of certified B Corps per capita. These companies meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Southern Vermont has the majority of B Corps outside Burlington & Montpelier: Scott Farm, Brattleboro Savings & Loan, LineSync Architecture, New Chapter, and Chroma Technology. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) is a non-profit organization with 62 members in Southern Vermont, and it’s a great place to find opportunities that align with your values.
The region is home to innovative enterprises working in emerging technologies. Two companies– Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls and Omega Optical in Brattleboro– manufacture cutting edge optical filters & coatings used to fuel developments in everything from aerospace to medical research to self-driving cars. Some of our companies are leading the way when it comes to sustainability. Brightwater Tools and the Rich Earth Institute are global leaders in the development of wastewater recovery technologies.
Other cutting edge SoVermont companies to look out for include WheelPad (universally accessible tiny homes manufacturer), HatchSpace (woodworking space & regional workforce hub), and Green River (software for solving social & environmental problems).
Vermont has the 5th highest spending per student in the country, requiring many dedicated employees– from administrators to teachers, and classroom aides to facilities staff. SchoolSpring is where the Supervisory Unions (school districts, see map) post open positions. Vermont’s commitment to universal Pre-K also makes for plenty of opportunities in early childhood education.
From Keene State College to UMass Amherst and Smith College, it’s an easy commute to universities in neighboring states. We also have our fair share of prestigious prep schools, such as the Putney School, Burr & Burton Academy, and the Vermont Academy. And there are specialty schools, such as Waldorf and Montessori schools, plus Landmark College, which caters to students with learning differences.
Beyond education, public sector jobs are available through most municipalities. Small towns often employ a clerk, accountant, zoning administrator, and roads maintenance crew. Work varies widely in larger municipalities like Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, with positions in HR, finance, public works, emergency services, and policing. Check town websites and the Vermont Town Careers website for opportunities.
SoVermont loves arts and culture! If you’ve looked around, you already know that we are lucky to have more artists, music, entertainment, crafts and culture than your average rural region. We’ve got music every night, plus festivals, and galleries galore. For working artists, you’ll find a community of people pursuing their craft, plus some great resources whether you are a photographer, writer, printer, or potter.
Careers in arts and culture range from the professionals leading cultural institutions, to organizers of events that welcome thousands of visitors, and teachers at the many arts education orgs. There are also jobs working for medium-scale makers like Laura Zindel Design or Bennington Potters. If your medium is digital, there’s a growing community of remote-working creatives, plus local organizations with marketing & design teams. A major economic driver and growing employer of creative talent is the wedding and event sector.
Medical careers are booming in Southern Vermont. There are the regional medical centers Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, as well as Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Brattleboro Retreat is a nationally known facility specializing in comprehensive mental health care and addiction treatment. A growing need for these services has spurred investment in facilities and programs, and demand is high for people with this specialized experience and training.
Medical career options in the greater region are extensive. Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH is 30 minutes east of Brattleboro. Springfield Hospital is 20 minutes from Bellows Falls. Franklin Medical Center is a regional hospital in Greenfield, MA and part of the Baystate system out of Springfield. Northampton’s Cooley Dickinson Hospital is part of the Mass General medical system out of Boston.
If you can make it, you can make it here! From snowshoes to fishing rods, bridge spans to nutritional supplements, and optical filters to medical batteries, manufacturing has been a driving force in the region’s economy since the Industrial Revolution. The region’s access to major northeastern markets and support for workforce development means manufacturers are able to expand and stay ahead of the curve.
Several of the state’s fastest-growing manufacturers are here: GS Precision, Against the Grain Gourmet, Mack Molding, Chroma Technology, Fulflex, Maplebrook Farms, Kaman Composites, Prince Industries, Whitney Blake Company, and Sonnax.
Southern Vermont makes delicious things! You probably know our brands like Grafton Village Cheese, Green Mountain Creamery, Mocha Joe’s Coffee, Maplebrook Farm, and Against the Grain Gourmet natural foods.Trendy restaurants in Boston and New York name drop Vermont products, but if you live here they’re a way of life and a great career path too. In the last ten years, regional employment has doubled in the food and beverage manufacturing sector.
Operations range from single-person producers to one of Vermont’s fastest growing manufacturers! Bustling farmers markets feature locally crafted cheese and hot sauce, alongside the region’s stunning fresh produce. Locally crafted beer and coffee are on offer at pubs and cafes. Then there are manufacturers producing local products for national markets. The Vermont Country Store, a key player in bringing Vermont products to the world, has over 200 workers here. And while you may have never heard of C&S Wholesale, this national grocery logistics firm employs over 1,000 local people.
In a state that welcomes over 13 million visitors a year, it’s no surprise that hospitality– lodging, food & beverage, recreation and events– is a driving force in our local economy. Some positions within this sector are seasonal, such as those at ski resorts or state parks. But most restaurants, shops, and inns are open year-round, and rely on a steady supply of employees. In fact, 25% of Windham County jobs are in the hospitality and retail sectors.
Stratton, Mount Snow and Bromley are well-known resorts that attract visitors from throughout NY and New England. They also employ thousands of people in various capacities, some seasonal and others year-round. Apart from those large employers, hospitality positions can be found throughout SoVermont at farm-to-table restaurants, cafes, breweries, distilleries, events spaces and inns / lodging. A few examples are The Vermont Country Store, Grafton Inn, Snow Republic Brewery, Starfire Bakery, and Anchor Seafood Restaurant.
Southern Vermont’s village centers and rural roads demonstrate a living architectural and landscape heritage, and the world-class design-build sector here is adding to this legacy. Construction activity is concentrated in residential homebuilding and improvement, and with an abundance of second homes, the demand is tremendous. Much of this work is executed by small firms who hire using Indeed, JobLink, and word of mouth.
There are a great number of green builders and even industry experts like HELM Construction Solutions and SEON (check their member directory for high performance building professionals). We also have an abundance of master craftsmen and fabricators of custom carpentry and small buildings (i.e. Jamaica Cottage Shop, WheelPad, Adaptive Fabrication). In addition to exceptional custom builders, we have award winning design firms like LineSync Architecture, Bluetime Collaborative, and Cotton Design. Local building materials suppliers include WW Building Supply, Cersosimo Lumber, and Allard Lumber.
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