Denver Urban Gardens Education Support Member

Colorado State University • Denver, CO

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) Corps members serve as program activators, building DUG’s capacity to fulfill its mission to provide access, skills, and resources for people to grow healthy food in community and regenerate urban green spaces. Members will provide key program support and represent DUG throughout metro Denver. Term of Service/Time Commitment This is a three-quarter time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1200 hours during the year (approximately 40 hours/week). The position begins in February 2026 and ends in November 2026. Location and Service Conditions Members will serve at the DUG offices in Denver, Colorado in the field at garden sites and event locations throughout the DUG network, and some hours may be served remotely. During the term of service, the AmeriCorps member in this position will be expected to uphold the following expectations: Be willing to provide direct services, strengthen the community, and build the organization’s capacity as described in the position description. Accurately complete and submit enrollment paperwork and reports; report data as requested. Able to use a computer for e-mail communication and online reporting. Able to be respectful, collaborative, and constructive in working environments. Uphold a passion for community building and making new connections. Wear official DUG/AmeriCorps identity items such as name tags, T-shirts, and lapel pins during all AmeriCorps service. Participate in weekly check-ins and semi-annual performance reviews with the site supervisor; submit an online biweekly timesheet to the site supervisor. Represent AmeriCorps, Colorado State University Extension, and DUG professionally. Attend DUG all-staff meetings and events. Serve alongside other DUG Corps service members to support DUG programs’ needs, including garden infrastructure and field operations, the food sovereignty program, and connect with our network of volunteers at workdays and events. Training and Support Provided Members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% (or 240 hours) of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by DUG staff, as well as by Melinda Macpherson, RamCorps Program Manager, [email protected]. Members should participate in ongoing training and events as required and requested by AmeriCorps, CSU Extension, and/or DUG. Description of Work Unit Denver Urban Gardens started as a grassroots movement in the late 1970s when gardeners in Denver’s Northside neighborhood came together to create a space for a group of local Hmong women to grow their own food. Working collaboratively, they transformed a vacant parking lot into what is now the Pecos Community Garden, and over the following years, more community gardens began to spring up as the group helped other neighbors do the same. DUG was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1985 to support Denver residents in creating sustainable, food-producing neighborhood community gardens. Over the past 40 years, our network of community gardens has expanded across six metro Denver counties. We currently oversee 200 community gardens, including 66 school-based community gardens, and 24 food forests. In addition to our gardens, DUG programs provide access, skills, and resources to help people grow food in community and regenerate urban green space. We offer youth programming, skill-building workshops for adults, community-centered events, volunteer workdays, free and reduced-cost seeds and seedlings, and compost training.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old at start of service.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
• Have reliable transportation, and willingness to occasionally drive a DUG vehicle.
• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; OEE will not sponsor a visa for this position.
• Able to pass required criminal background checks, including a National Sex Offender Website search. AmeriCorps service is contingent on passing these background checks.
• Be willing and able to complete the required service hours (three-quarter time; 1,200 hours) between February 2026 and November 2026.
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Demonstrated experience working with and teaching learners of all ages and abilities based on submitted application materials.
• Interest in gardening, community building, education, and/or fieldwork based on submitted application materials.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience in one or multiple of DUG’s pillars: food, community, and climate.
• Proficiency in language(s) other than English.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of all public community and youth education workshops and events (held weekdays, evenings and weekends). General duties include: technical support, preparing printed and digital educational and outreach materials, gathering workshop supplies, guest services, volunteer coordination, and on-site support as needed.
• Provide on-ground support for the maintenance of DUG’s outdoor educational spaces.
• Represent DUG at tabling and outreach opportunities throughout Metro Denver and by participating in youth engagement partner events.
• Attend and provide support for DUG training programs.
• Input data for tracking workshop, outreach, and other educational program attendance into Salesforce.

Benefits

• A living allowance of approximately $1,249.00 for full time per pay period on a bi-weekly cycle for an approximate total of $24,980.00 for the term of service. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• An education award of $5,176.50 earned upon successful completion of term of service.
• It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Possible mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service.
• Access to ongoing professional development trainings and resources through the university.
• Experience working with professionals in the field with on the ground training.
• Non-tangible benefits including making a difference in a community, valuable networking opportunities, and serving the local community in an identified area of need.
• Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED