Company description
UpRoot Colorado 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 our farmers and our food are valued more highly.
Job description
Job Status: Seasonal variability
Low-season (November-May): 10hrs/week
Harvest-season (June-October): 27.5 hrs/week
August only: 40 hrs/week
Some flexibility outside of this construct for the right candidate
Job Term: This role is currently an hourly (non-exempt) position. Our hope is to find a candidate who will stay in the role for multiple seasons.
Pay: $24.75 hourly
Preferred Start Date: April 1, 2026
Current benefits: Flexible work schedule. Healthcare stipend (QSEHRA). Tech stipend. Colorado SecureSavings Roth IRA. Mileage reimbursement of $0.60 per mile for role-specific duties.
UpRoot's Gleaning & Food-systems Coordinators are responsible for organizing and running our Gleaning Programs in a specific region: conducting outreach; connecting with current and potential farm partners; connecting with fruit tree stewards (i.e., people with fruit trees on land surrounding their homes and/or businesses); recruiting and managing volunteers; coordinating and leading gleaning events to harvest surplus food from local farms, orchards, and fruit trees; collaborating with food access organizations/programs to distribute gleaned food; writing, editing and sharing communications; and educating the community about our food system.
UpRoot’s Mesa County Coordinator will work closely with CSU’s Western Colorado Research Center-Orchard Mesa (WCRC-OM) to organize volunteer harvests, leading on average 2 harvests per week at the research station during the height of growing season, in addition to organizing and leading gleaning events with other farm partners in this region.
Primary responsibilities:
Outreach & Communications
Nurturing existing relationships with local producers, fruit-tree stewards, food access organizations/programs, and community partners
Implementing outreach to farmers, fruit-tree stewards, and food access organizations to build relationships and expand UpRoot’s positive impact through an expanded network for gleaning
Conducting volunteer outreach/recruitment; communicating with volunteers weekly throughout the harvest season
Expanding current gleaning and food distribution efforts by introducing UpRoot’s work to entities with whom we have not yet partnered; including local businesses, houses of worship, foundations, civic-minded groups, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations
Taking photographs at gleaning events; creating event flyers and social media posts about past/upcoming events
Event Coordination & Volunteer Management
Communicating with producers on a weekly basis to determine what is available for gleaning and/or pick-up
Organizing and leading gleaning events, including training and supervising volunteers
Collaborating with WCRC-OM to plan, organize, and recruit volunteers for harvest events at the research station
Implementing staff and volunteer safety, and food safety best practices at gleaning events
Sharing educational information with volunteers on topics including food justice, local food systems, nutrition and food insecurity, and causes of food surplus and waste
Coordinating the distribution of gleaned food in collaboration with food access organizations and WCRC-OM
Ensuring all physical program supplies and equipment are organized and maintained
Data Tracking & Program Administration
Ensuring all outreach and program data is tracked in Salesforce accurately and in a timely manner
Issuing tax-donation receipt form(s) to farmers
Providing program data for use in funding applications and reports
Supporting 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 inquiries, etc.
Advocacy & Coalition Building
Participating in relevant working groups and coalitions, and cultivating collaborative partnerships to work toward shared goals
Other Duties Assigned as Necessary
Attend UpRoot staff meetings including but not limited to weekly meetings with supervisor, monthly team meetings with statewide UpRoot staff, and biannual in person staff retreats
Meetings as needed with WCRC-OM staff, including but not limited to trainings and communicating about upcoming harvests and post-harvest reporting
UpRoot Colorado is a young 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 positive 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
An affinity to proactively work independently in an entrepreneurial environment
The ability to enthusiastically engage with people from diverse backgrounds
Comfort working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
The ability to lift 40 lbs. comfortably
A valid driver’s license and reliable, personal transportation (you will be required to deliver gleaned food in your own vehicle)
Comfort and proficiency with technology (such as Google Workspace, Salesforce, MailChimp, and Canva), and/or a willingness to learn about these technologies
Preferred:
An entrepreneurial spirit and a flexible schedule
Agricultural or food-systems experience
Food safety knowledge/experience
An outgoing personality and can-do attitude
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Social media experience
Pre-existing residence in and familiarity with Mesa County
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $20/hr +
Application instructions
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Deadline
February 20, 2026