Company description

SustainEd Farms is a Denver 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses gardens as a way of teaching students about nutrition and environmental sustainability, while using the food produced to supplement communities that lack equitable access to fresh, healthy foods. We work with nearly 50 Denver schools, grades pre-K through 12, supporting over 10,000 students. At these school gardens, grow over 5,000 lbs of food during the growing season, which will be distributed to school cafeterias, food banks, and no-cost farm stands. We are guided by our mission: Growing food. Growing knowledge. Growing justice.

Job description

Employment Type: Full-Time, Nonexempt Employee

Anticipated Start Date: March 2, 2026

Schedule: 40 hours per week; Monday–Friday, with occasional weekend and evening events

Location: Denver, CO

Reports To: Programs Manager

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary: $45,000–$50,000 annually, based on experience.
Benefits:

• Monthly health benefits ($450 per month)
• Paid floating holidays (32 hours/year)
• Paid sick time (48 hours/year)
• Paid time off (80 hours/year)
• Access to a managed 403(b) retirement account with potential employer match
• Annual COLA and performance-based raises
• Regular professional development opportunities, including local and national conferences
• This position complies with Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, ensuring pay transparency and fairness.

Position Overview:

Join a Denver-based nonprofit working at the intersection of education, food access, and environmental sustainability.

SustainEd Farms is seeking a detail-oriented, organized, and mission-driven Operations Specialist to support the daily functioning of our school garden programs and nonprofit operations. This role provides essential logistical, administrative, and site-based support that ensures gardens, materials, data, communications, and program activities are well coordinated throughout the year.

The Operations Specialist works closely with the Programs Manager and program staff to maintain consistent support across school sites, helping SustainEd Farms deliver high-quality, hands-on garden-based learning experiences for Denver students and community members.

This is an excellent entry-level opportunity for someone passionate about youth development, food access, environmental education, and nonprofit work.

Essential Responsibilities:

Program & Operations Support

• Coordinate logistics for garden-based programming, including preparing materials, organizing supplies, and assisting with scheduling.
• Conduct scheduled harvest pick-up, delivery, and produce distribution.
• Maintain accurate inventory of tools, materials, and consumables across school sites and the main office.
  Track, organize, and enter program data, including harvest logs, garden activity records, and supply usage.
• Support the collection of evaluation materials, deliverables for grants, and partner updates.

Communications & Outreach Support

• Assist with basic social media, newsletter, and blog content (collecting photos, drafting posts, uploading content).
• Respond to general inquiries submitted through the website and route them to the appropriate staff member.
• Build positive relationships with community members, school partners, and collaborating organizations.

Site & Event Support

• Provide on-site coordination and hands-on support during events, workshops, and seasonal programming.
• Complete basic garden tasks, such as watering, weeding, harvesting, and light maintenance.
• Collaborate with program staff and community partners to ensure smooth implementation of activities.

General Organizational Support

• Support routine administrative tasks (filing, organizing materials, updating shared calendars, managing office supplies).
• Assist with logistical needs that keep day-to-day operations running smoothly.

Work Environment:

This role includes a blend of office-based administrative work and outdoor work at school garden sites in varying weather conditions. Travel between Denver school sites is required. SustainEd Farms provides access to an organizational vehicle for some work-related travel. Workload is seasonal: spring and fall are high-activity months with more on-site time, while winter involves more administrative and planning work.

Organizational Culture:

At SustainEd Farms, we value collaboration, creativity, equity, and the belief that all students deserve access to hands-on learning and healthy food. Our team supports one another, learns together, and strives to create joyful, inclusive garden spaces across Denver schools.

Qualifications:

SustainEd Farms encourages individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and strongly encourage applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve. SustainEd Farms is an equal opportunity employer.

Required:

• High school diploma or GED
• Strong communication skills and the ability to represent SustainEd Farms’ mission and values
• Passion for ensuring Denver students have access to garden spaces, hands-on learning, and fresh, healthy produce
  Strong attention to detail and the ability to complete tasks accurately and reliably, including strong organizational and time-management skills
• Basic computer skills, including email, spreadsheets, and digital record keeping - specifically within Google Workplace
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Ability to lift heavy objects and remain on your feet for extended periods
• Valid Colorado driver’s license

Preferred:

• Proficiency in Spanish (spoken, written, and comprehension)
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field (education, environmental studies, nonprofit management, business, agriculture, etc.)
• Experience with gardening, farming, animal care (chickens/goats), or basic construction
• Prior experience working with diverse K–12 students, especially within Denver
• Experience in a nonprofit, education, environmental, or community-focused setting

SustainEd Farms encourages candidates who meet most, but not all, qualifications to apply.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $45,000.00 - $50,000.00

Application instructions

If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!

Deadline

January 30, 2026