Mountain Roots-Community Engagement & Development

Position Title

Stewards VISTA:
Community Engagement & Development
- Mountain Roots - Ameri Corps

107 E Georgia Ave Suite 3B

Gunnison, CO 81230

Start Date:

July 13, 2026
End Date:
July 12, 2027
Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term
Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)

Mountain Roots is a Colorado-based nonprofit and an Ameri Corps Program working to build a resilient, community-driven food system in the rural Gunnison–Crested Butte region—a area better known for world-class skiing and outdoor recreation than for the food insecurity that quietly affects many of its residents. Despite its scenic appeal, the Gunnison Valley is a Class 2 food desert, where geographic isolation, economic hardship, and cultural barriers make it difficult for many households to access healthy, affordable food.

Rooted in the values of regenerative agriculture, community stewardship, and local resilience, Mountain Roots serves vulnerable households, local food producers, and students across the valley through programs in Farm to School, Community Farming and Gardening, Workforce Development, and Food Access Initiatives—all set within a close-knit mountain community with a strong culture of collaboration and care.

The Ameri Corps VISTA member will serve with Mountain Roots to help strengthen the organization's long-term financial sustainability and expand community participation in its programs and mission. In this Ameri Corps Position, the member will pilot new strategies for fundraising, grant writing, volunteer coordination, outreach, and marketing, while also improving the internal systems—such as communications tools and volunteer leadership pathways—that help the organization run effectively and grow.

By building these foundations, the member will play a critical role in ensuring that Mountain Roots can continue to expand access to healthy food and opportunity for all residents of the Gunnison Valley for years to come.

• Create fundraising plans, research grants and develop donor outreach plans for staff use
• Strengthen volunteer leadership and engagement tracking systems
• Create marketing and storytelling content for staff use in community engagement
• Develop funding strategies that sustain food access, youth education, and regenerative agriculture

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• College graduate
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
• Ability to speak Spanish desired, but not required

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

• Typically, this position is expected to serve full-time (35-40 hours), but exact schedules may vary.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on Ameri Corps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Member will receive a Virtual Member Orientation (VMO) from VISTA on their first day of service.
• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award of $7,395.00 (or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00).
• Living Allowance of $68.39 per day, disbursed every 2 weeks.
• Relocation Allowance ($750) if Eligible.
• Help Locating Affordable Housing Options.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible.
• Childcare Coverage if…