Company description

UpRoot Colorado (UpRoot) measurably reduces surplus protective foods in Colorado, supports the economic stability of farmers and increases the nutritional security of our state’s residents.

We envision a mindful, humane and equitable Colorado foodshed where farmers are valued for who they are: a cornerstone of our society.

Job description

Gleaning & Volunteer-Outreach Coordinator: Roaring Fork Valley
UpRoot Colorado is a nonprofit organization measurably reducing surplus protective foods in Colorado, supporting the economic stability of farmers and increasing the nutritional security of our state’s residents. We are seeking to fill the role of a part-time gleaning and volunteer-outreach coordinator (coordinator) who will be responsible for gleaning operations in the Roaring Fork Valley (RFV). Specific responsibilities include:

• Reinstalling food wisdom in the RFV through community outreach, community building and experiential education
• Nurturing existing relationships with local producers (i.e., farmers) and determining on a weekly basis what is available for gleaning and/or pick-up 
• Implementing strategic outreach to farms across the Roaring Fork Valley through email, phone calls and farm visits in order to expand UpRoot’s impact and producer network for gleans
• Communicating with both businesses and homeowners listed on UpRoot’s Fruit-Tree Registry to coordinate gleans of “backyard” fruit trees
• Organizing gleaning events where volunteers will assemble under the supervision of the coordinator, or volunteer harvest leader, to glean food for distribution to local hunger-relief and/or social-service agencies
• Recruiting and training volunteers, as needed, and supervising volunteer gleaning events 
• Implementing food safety and Covid-19 best practices when organizing and supervising gleaning events
• Taking photographs of gleaning events, and coordinating with UpRoot team members to create event flyers and social-media posts about past/upcoming events
• Nurturing existing relationships with local hunger-relief and social-service agencies and coordinating pick-ups and/or distribution of gleaned food 
• Expanding current gleaning efforts by introducing UpRoot’s work to fruit-tree owners and hunger-relief and social-service agencies with whom we have not yet partnered; including local businesses, houses of worship, foundations, civic-minded groups, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations 
• Meeting grant deliverables and expectations, including data collection
• Ensuring proper evaluation methods and reporting (including data for reports to funders)

Must haves:

• A passion to establish food equity, food justice and food-systems change
• Experience in stakeholder outreach (e.g., to volunteers, farmers, individuals in the community, community groups, elected officials)
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Experience and a comfort with coordinating volunteers and speaking publicly
• The ability to think critically and creatively and, also, to work independently
• Comfortable working outdoors and in a variety of weather conditions
• The ability to lift 40 lbs.

• A valid driver’s license and reliable, personal transportation as you may be required at times to deliver gleaned food in your own vehicle

Preferred:

• Organizing, campaigning or outreach experience
• Agricultural or food-systems experience 
• An outgoing personality and can-do attitude
• Conversant in Spanish
• An entrepreneurial spirit and a flexible schedule

This role is currently part-time and non-exempt and will begin by mid-summer and extend through the growing season (approximately 16 weeks). The rate of pay is $18 per hour for up to 20 hours per week. Mileage reimbursement for role-specific duties is set at $0.35 per mile. 

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

July 16, 2021