Company description

The Rio Grande Farm Park’s mission is to create and sustain a vibrant place where people come to learn, play, and  grow. It is a land-based project of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition. The RGFP Director will join a collaborative team at a grassroots nonprofit working to foster an equitable local food system in the San Luis Valley. The Farm Park hosts over 40 growers each year on 15 arable acres managed with regenerative and traditional methods. These growers participate in either the cooperative/market farming program or the family  garden program. The whole 38 acres provides youth and community education, volunteer programs, and a public park, playground, and orchard, connected to Alamosa’s Rio Grande trail network.  The Farm Park also hosts  an abundance of community events, including a Wednesday evening Farmers’ Market in the summer. Further, the Farm Park manages enterprise projects for community benefit including retail compost sales, Education Center rental, and market vegetable production. 

Job description

Job Overview: The RGFP Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of programs, staff, and infrastructure at the Rio Grande Farm Park. This role ensures smooth operations, oversees community engagement efforts, and maintains the park’s farming, education, and volunteer initiatives. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a passion for land stewardship, community organizing, and program management.

  

Workplace Locations: 
Rio Grande Farm Park - 6935 State Hwy 17; Alamosa, CO 81101

San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition Office - 412 State Ave; Alamosa, CO 81101

Supervisor: San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition Executive Director

Responsibilities & Duties
Operations and Programs

• Manage and mentor RGFP staff, including interns and full-time service members (AmeriCorps and Mennonite Voluntary Service); hold regular team meetings; check-in with individual staff members & volunteers on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis as necessary; and uphold LFC human resources policies.
• Oversee the development and implementation of volunteer, education, and farming programs.
• Ensure the maintenance and functionality of Farm Park infrastructure, including water systems.
• Direct public outreach efforts for Farm Park programs, in coordination with LFC marketing staff.
• Develop, update, and implement policies for RGFP operations and land use.
• Manage RGFP grant and financial tracking, including budgeting, spend-down, and reporting, in coordination with Local Foods Coalition administrative staff.
• Oversee the weekly Mercadillo en el Rio farmers’ market, particularly during the growing and harvest seasons, in coordination with the LFC’s Market & Communications Coordinator.
• Collect, organize, and analyze Farm Park program data to improve programs.
• Track and evaluate RGFP enterprise projects, ensuring financial sustainability.
• Participate directly in programs as needed, building trust with program participants.
• Ensure Farm Park operations and programs comply with relevant laws and agreements, including water stewardship and drought resilience planning.
• Other tasks as needed to ensure smooth operation of programs.

Partnerships and Community Organizing

• Lead RGFP Participant Advisory Committee meetings to align Farm Park strategy with community needs.
• Act as a connection point for community organizations and individuals looking to collaborate with the Farm Park.
• Work creatively and collaboratively with the Farm Park team, community partners, and individuals to address challenges.
• Represent the RGFP within the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition at monthly meetings and other regular administrative check-ins
• Other tasks as needed to ensure strong partnerships and community connections.

Qualifications & Experience

• Passion for land, soil, and water stewardship.
• Understanding of the diverse communities, traditions, and cultural values of the San Luis Valley.
• Experience working with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Leadership experience in nonprofit management, regenerative agriculture, or a related field.
• Proven ability to manage staff and coordinate multiple programs.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills and responsiveness to diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and other necessary software.
• Must reside within commuting distance of the Rio Grande Farm Park.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Start Date: Mid-May 2025

Hours: Full-Time, 32-40 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends.

Pay: Starting between $56,160-64,480 per year, depending on experience and skill set (pro-rated if working fewer than 40 hours per week).

Benefits The San Luis Valley Foods Coalition offers:

• Twenty days of paid time off per year (for 40 hr/week staff) for personal holidays and sick leave.
• Nine paid federal holidays per year.
• Health and dental insurance with 50% of premiums for the employee covered.
• A Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) through Colorado SecureSavings.
• A 20% discount at the Valley Roots Food Hub, which offers food and related products from over 100 family farms and ranches.
• Reimbursement for work-related travel.

The Rio Grande Farm Park is a program of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition, which is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join us in strengthening our local food system. In compliance with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act, applicants may redact information that would identify their age, date of birth or dates of study from their application.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, 50k-75k

Application instructions

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Deadline

April 25, 2025