UpRoot Colorado (UpRoot) increases the nutrition 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 Title: Gleaning & Food-Systems Coordinator
Job Status: 40 hours per week June 1-Oct 31, 20 hours per week Nov 1 – May 31
Job Term: This role is currently a non-exempt, grant funded one year position, ending May 2024. There is the potential that this role could evolve into a multi-year position and UpRoot staff are working to realize this goal.
Pay: $19-$20 per hour, depending on skills and experience
Preferred Start Date: As soon as possible, June 2023
Benefits: ICHRA healthcare stipend. Paid sick time. Paid holidays. Colorado SecureSavings Roth IRA. Technology stipend. Mileage reimbursement of $0.35 per mile for role-specific duties. Flexible work schedule November–May.

Gleaning & Food-Systems Coordinators are responsible for our Gleaning Initiative in specific geographic regions of Colorado: conducting outreach; recruiting and managing volunteers; connecting with farm partners and potential farm partners; coordinating and leading gleaning events to harvest surplus food from local farms and fruit trees; connecting and collaborating with hunger-relief partners; coordinating the distribution of gleaned food; performing organizing, equity, and advocacy work; writing, editing and sharing communications; educating the community about our food-system.

Primary responsibilities include: 

Outreach & Communications 

• Nurturing existing relationships with local producers, fruit-tree stewards, hunger-relief agencies, and community partners
• Implementing strategic outreach to farmers, fruit-tree stewards, hunger-relief 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—to expand UpRoot’s gleaning efforts and impact
• Conducting volunteer outreach and recruitment; writing/sending weekly volunteer communications
• Taking photographs of gleaning events, and creating event flyers and social media posts about past/upcoming events

Event Coordination & Volunteer Management 

• Communicating with producers weekly to determine what is available for gleaning and/or pick-up 
• Organizing and leading gleaning events, including: collecting waivers, training and supervising volunteers, communicating with & transporting food to hunger-relief agencies
• Implementing staff and volunteer safety and food safety best practices at gleaning events
• Sharing educational information with volunteers on the topics of food justice, local food systems, causes of food surplus and waste, nutrition insecurity, etc.
• Ensuring all physical program supplies and equipment are organized and maintained 
• Contributing to the development of the Volunteer Harvest Leader program
  • Helping to develop training materials 
  • Recruiting and training volunteer candidates for the Volunteer Harvest Leader program 

Data Tracking & Program Administration

• Once donations are weighed, issuing tax-donation receipt form(s) to farmers
• Tracking outreach and program data accurately and in a timely manner 
• Providing program data for use in funding applications and reports
• Supporting program evaluation, including gathering feedback from volunteers and partners
• Basic administrative tasks including documenting activities, scheduling events, responding to inquiries, etc. 

Advocacy & Coalition Building

• Participating in coalitions and generating collaborative partnerships to work towards shared goals
• Engaging in legislative advocacy by initiating relationships with elected officials, making UpRoot community aware of opportunities to engage in the legislative process

Other duties as assigned

• Attending weekly team meetings and individual meetings with regional co-director
• 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
• Self-starter who is comfortable working independently and in an entrepreneurial environment
• Ability to enthusiastically engage with people from diverse backgrounds to promote trust and collaboration
• Comfort working outdoors 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 to deliver gleaned food in your own vehicle; mileage reimbursement of $0.35 per mile for role-specific duties)
• Comfort and proficiency with technology (such as Google Workspace, Salesforce, Mailchimp), and/or a willingness to learn

Preferred:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (higher rate of pay available for bilingual candidates)
• An entrepreneurial spirit and a flexible schedule
• Agricultural or food-systems experience 
• Food safety/food handling experience
• An outgoing personality and can-do attitude
• Social media experience

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.

Candidates must align with these values and want to contribute to the creation of a new status quo: an equitable food system where all enjoy 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 nutrition insecurity are encouraged to apply.