Company description

Mountain Roots Food Project is a community food systems initiative in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado. We cultivate a resilient and equitable food system by enhancing healthy connections between food, earth, and community. We foster knowledge, teach skills, and provide opportunities that ensure access to affordable, nutritious food that is regionally based and sustainably produced. As the leading local food systems initiative in the region, we promote personal, community, and environmental health to increase individual and community resilience. We run a district-wide Farm to School program, cultivate a regenerative community farm and four hydroponic farms, and coordinate a network of community gardens. We manage a 150-member multi-farmer CSA, we lead targeted-access food security programs including Cooking Matters and Backyard Harvest, and we lead a regional AmeriCorps program focusing on service within rural community food systems.

Job description

Food Security Program Director

Mountain Roots Food Project is seeking a passionate and experienced Food Security Program Director to lead innovative community food access initiatives in the Gunnison Valley of Colorado.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a rural food system while working alongside farmers, volunteers, schools, nonprofits, local governments, and community members to ensure everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. The Food Security Program Director serves as a key member of the organization's leadership team, guiding strategy, partnerships, program operations, fundraising, and community engagement.

Mountain Roots cultivates a resilient and equitable food system by strengthening connections between food, earth, and community. Our food security programs currently include a weekly fresh food box program, community farms and gardens, cooking and nutrition education, volunteer engagement, and collaborative initiatives that address barriers to food access while building community self-sufficiency and resilience.

The Program Director oversees three staff members and works closely with the Executive Director, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, funders, and partner organizations throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Advance program vision, priorities, goals, and action plans in alignment with organizational objectives.
  Identify emerging community needs, trends, and opportunities to strengthen food access and food system resilience.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and use data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
• Represent Mountain Roots in local and regional food security discussions and collaborative initiatives.
• Advocate for community-driven solutions that improve food access and equity.

Program Operations
- Lead implementation of existing food security programs while helping develop new initiatives and strategies.
- Oversee food distribution logistics and relationships with farms, food producers, and community partners.
- Monitor program participation, outcomes, and impact.
- Supervise, mentor, and support program staff, AmeriCorps members, and volunteers.
- Foster a positive, collaborative team culture focused on service, learning, and impact.
- Develop outreach and engagement strategies that connect community members to available resources and opportunities.
- Troubleshoot challenges and continuously improve program effectiveness.

Administration & Fund Development
-Develop and manage annual program budgets.
-Support fundraising efforts through grant writing, donor engagement, sponsorship development, and partnership cultivation.
-Manage grants and contracts, including implementation, compliance, reporting, and funder relationships.
-Establish evaluation systems, collect data, and communicate results to stakeholders.
-Prepare reports and presentations for funders, community partners, and the Board of Directors.
-Develop policies, procedures, and systems that promote accountability, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and mission-driven leader who is passionate about resilient food systems, community well-being, and creating meaningful change.

Required qualifications:

• Experience managing programs, projects, or community initiatives.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and team-building skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and public speaking abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience building partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to serving people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages, and abilities.
• Strong initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Education or equivalent experience in food systems, agriculture, public health, social services, community development, or a related field.
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, and community organizing.
• Knowledge of local food systems, food access programs, or sustainable agriculture.
• Spanish language proficiency helpful, not required.
• Experience working with underserved communities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and participate in fieldwork.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys both big-picture strategy and hands-on community work, and who is excited to help build a healthier, more resilient future for the Gunnison Valley.

COMPENSATION: This is a full-time salaried exempt position starting at $56,500 - $58,000/year.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $56,485 - $75,000

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline