Youth Garden Project

Outreach and Development Coordinator

Organization Overview

The Youth Garden Project (YGP) is a 501(c)3 garden-based education and community gardening nonprofit organization located in the heart of Moab, Utah. YGP’s main campus is located on 1.5-acres adjacent to our local high school. Our mission is to cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table. YGP has operated garden-based programs in the beautiful red rock country of Southeastern Utah for over 29 years. YGP believes gardening makes learning fun for all ages, and connects individuals to their local food system, to their community, and to each other.

Position Overview

This year-round administrative staff position will be engaged in both community interfacing and the operational efforts of the Youth Garden Project. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Outreach & Development Coordinator will continue to enhance and expand our fundraising events and community programs, manage outreach and marketing efforts of the organization, plan community events, and be a key player in the development efforts of YGP. This is a full time, benefited position, and is primarily on-site in Moab, Utah.

Successful candidates will demonstrate great communication skills (both written and verbal), a strong sense of teamwork, excellence in self-directed work, skillful prioritization of tasks, creativity in problem-solving, experience or interest in event planning and coordination, experience in grant writing, and a belief in YGP’s mission of cultivating healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table.

Target Start Date: March 23, 2026

Employment: Full-time (1.0 FTE) Salaried Non-Exempt

Starting Salary Range: $40,000 - $42,000 DOE

Application Deadline:  Priority deadline is January 12, 2026, after which we will review applications on an ongoing basis. This position will remain open until filled.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Event Planning & Coordination: Fundraising Events and Community Programs (40%)

This position will work collaboratively and independently on the following events:
● Oversee the annual winter Online Auction Fundraiser, in collaboration with YGP staff and board.
● Plan and lead annual fundraising and community events, such as the Seed Swap, Spring Plant Sale, Garden Dinners, YGP’s ‘Table Talks’ workshop series, and Harvest Festival. Collaborate with the YGP farm team for all seed-to-table events.
● Identify and recruit partners, volunteers, and local experts for our community programming.
● Periodically evaluate the relevancy and purpose of community events and programming. Adapt, add, and change programs as needed in collaboration with the YGP administrative team.

Community Relations, Outreach, & Marketing (30%)

● Oversee use and management of YGP social media accounts.
● Keep YGP website (WordPress) up to date with current events and programmatic information.
● Maintain ongoing outreach to the community and YGP partners about events, fundraisers, and programs through various platforms, including newspaper ads, flyers, radio PSAs, and press releases.
● Design marketing and outreach materials in Canva.
● Manage YGP’s e-newsletter (MailChimp) and grow the audience of email subscribers.
● Collaborate with the Youth Programs & Farm Programs teams to provide educational resources to the community.
● Provide support to the Farm Programs Director for online merchandise, produce, plant start, and value-added sales as needed.
● Lead site tours for volunteer groups, visitors, and community members.

Fundraising and Development (25%)

● Grant research, reporting, and writing.
● Identify and develop opportunities/strategies for new revenue streams in partnership with the Executive Director and other full-time staff.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director for the annual end-of-year fundraising campaign, donor cultivation and appreciation, and ongoing donor stewardship efforts.

Other Responsibilities (5%)

● Educate and interact with the public and stakeholders about the mission, programs, and impact of the Youth Garden Project. Be an enthusiastic representative of the Youth Garden Project at all times.
● Contribute to the shared maintenance and care of YGP’s 1.5 acre garden site as needed.
● Work with the Executive Director to meet program income and expense budget goals.
● Several evenings and approximately 1 weekend day per month for YGP events and shared weekend garden chores will be required during the growing season.

Please note that the duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive, and the role and responsibilities may evolve to meet emergent needs over time.

Other Requirements:

● Applicant must be at least 21 years of age by the target start date.
● The final candidate must submit to and clear a background check.

Desired Skills and Experience:

● Advanced verbal and written communication skills with the ability to send clear, consistent, and relatable messaging.
● Prior marketing and design experience. Experience with Canva preferred.
● Highly organized with ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities. Ability to prioritize tasks based on evolving organizational needs.
● Prior experience in event coordination and planning.
● Diverse fundraising experience and success.
● Experience in nonprofit work and community development.
● Proficient with Google Suite and social media platforms. Ability to learn new softwares (i.e. Wordpress, Shopify, Mailchimp) quickly.
● Creativity and innovative problem solving.
● Working knowledge of sustainable agriculture, community food systems, outdoor education, and/or youth development preferred.
● A bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience.

We encourage candidates to apply if they are excited about this role and believe they can contribute to our work, even if they do not meet all the listed qualifications.

Benefits:

● Option to enroll in a group health insurance plan, with 75% of the monthly premium covered by YGP.
● 10 paid vacation days per year to start.
● 7 paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break from Dec 24 - Jan 1 each year.
● Sick time earned at a rate of .05 hours per hour worked (~8 hours per month for a 40hr/wk role).
● Option to enroll in 3% employer-matched Simple IRA plan.
● 30 minutes of earned “Paid Volunteer Time” per pay period to support other local causes.

The Youth Garden Project provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.