Company description

UpRoot Colorado’s mission is to increase the nutritional security of Coloradans by harvesting and redistributing surplus, nutrient-dense foods while supporting the resilience of farmers.

We envision a mindful, humane and equitable Colorado food system where everyone has access to locally-produced, nutrient-dense foods; where people are more connected to the sources of our food; and where farmers are valued for who they are: a cornerstone of our society.

Job description

We are seeking a part-time Gleaning & Food-Systems Coordinator who will be responsible for our Gleaning Initiative in the Roaring Fork Valley: conducting outreach, organizing communications, coordinating and leading gleaning events to harvest surplus food from local farms and fruit trees, recruiting and managing volunteers, and coordinating the distribution of gleaned food.

Primary responsibilities include: 

Outreach & Communications 

• Nurture existing relationships with local growers (e.g., farmers and fruit-tree stewards), hunger-relief and social-service agencies
• Implement strategic outreach to farmers and fruit-tree stewards across the Roaring Fork Valley through email, phone calls and farm visits in order to expand UpRoot’s impact and producer network for gleans
• Expand current gleaning efforts by introducing UpRoot’s work to hunger-relief and social-service agencies and other entities with whom we have not yet partnered; including local businesses, houses of worship, foundations, civic-minded groups, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations 
• Conduct volunteer outreach and recruitment, and assist with weekly volunteer newsletters
• Take photographs of gleaning events, and coordinate with UpRoot team members to create event flyers and social media posts about past/upcoming events

Event Coordination & Volunteer Management 

• Communicate with growers to determine what is available for gleaning and/or pick-up on a weekly basis 
• Manage communications with UpRoot’s volunteers and ensure volunteers sign waiver prior to gleaning
• Organize gleaning events where volunteers will assemble under the supervision of the Coordinator to glean food for distribution to local hunger-relief and/or social-service agencies
• Train and supervise volunteers at gleaning events 
• Implement staff and volunteer safety, food safety, and Covid-19 best practices at gleaning events
• Share educational information with volunteers on the topics of food justice, local food systems, causes of food surplus and waste, food insecurity, etc., contributing to increased community food wisdom
• Communicate with hunger-relief and social-service agencies to coordinate distribution of gleaned food
• Ensure all physical program supplies and equipment are organized and maintained 
• Support development of Volunteer Harvest Leader program

Data Tracking & Program Administration

• Ensure all outreach and program data is tracked accurately and in a timely manner 
• Provide program data for use in funding applications and reports
• Support program evaluation, including gathering feedback from farmers, fruit-tree stewards, volunteers, hunger-relief agencies, etc. 
• Basic administrative tasks including documenting activities, scheduling events, responding to emails and phone calls, etc. 

Other duties as assigned

• UpRoot Colorado is a small, yet growing, organization. The Coordinator may be required to assist with tasks in addition to the responsibilities outlined above.

 

Must haves:

• A passion to establish food equity, food justice and food-systems change
• Organizing, campaigning or outreach experience (e.g. outreach to volunteers, farmers, customers, community groups, elected officials, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication, and organizational skills
• Experience and comfort coordinating volunteers and speaking publicly
• Ability to think critically and creatively and, also, to work independently
• Ability to enthusiastically engage with people from diverse backgrounds to promote trust and collaboration
• Comfort working outdoors and in a variety of weather conditions
• The ability to lift 40 lbs.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable, personal transportation (you will be required at times to deliver gleaned food in your own vehicle)
• Comfort and proficiency with technology (such as Google Workspace, Salesforce, MailChimp), and/or a willingness to learn about these technologies

Preferred:

• An entrepreneurial spirit and a flexible schedule
• Agricultural or food-systems experience 
• Food safety/food handling experience
• An outgoing personality and can-do attitude
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Social media experience

This role is currently part-time and non-exempt and will begin in early June and extend through the growing season. The rate of pay is $18-$20 per hour, depending on skills and experience, for up to 20 hours per week. Mileage reimbursement for role-specific duties is set at $0.35 per mile.

UpRoot Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discriminatory practices against anyone on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and any other protected category. We value—and are working to create a culture of—equity, honesty, transparency, gratitude, clear communication, respect, and continuous learning. We acknowledge that food justice cannot be achieved without racial justice. We seek to identify a candidate who is also committed to these values and who is excited to contribute to the creation of a food system in which all have an opportunity to actively participate and access to nutrient-dense and locally-produced food, where farmers are valued, and agriculture contributes to the health of both people and our environment. It is important that the communities we serve are centered in our work. Therefore, people of color and people who have experienced food insecurity are encouraged to apply.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $18.00 - $20.00

Application instructions

Deadline

May 15, 2022