Let’s work together

  • About Us

    Fertile Ground Cooperative is a mission-driven composting and recycling company working to turn waste into community wealth. We partner with venues, festivals, institutions and community groups to design and execute zero waste events that are practical, educational and actually work on the ground. Our work blends logistics, education, and environmental sustainability. We’re looking for someone who thrives in that mix.

    Position Summary

    The Zero Waste Events & Outreach Manager role is a hands-on, people-facing position that blends event coordination with sales and relationship building. This role is responsible for guiding customers from their initial event inquiry through planning, execution, and follow-up, making sure every detail is handled and every event runs smoothly. This person serves as the on-site lead during events, coordinating staff, managing materials, capturing photos and videos, and representing Fertile Ground in the field. Events are also a key sales opportunity, and this role actively helps grow the business by promoting compost services, compostable products and other offerings before, during and after events. The ideal candidate is organized, responsive, comfortable with a flexible schedule and excited to be out in the community doing meaningful, visible work. This role requires comfort being highly visible at events, sorting waste streams, talking to strangers about compost and making judgment calls in real time.

    Why This Role Matters

    Zero waste events are often the first time people see environmental sustainability put into practice in a tangible way. This role helps demonstrate how composting and recycling systems can reduce landfill disposal, conserve resources and lower the environmental impact of events. Through hands-on education and thoughtful system design, the Zero Waste Events & Outreach Manager helps communities understand how composting and recycling support healthier ecosystems and a more resilient local economy.

    Key Responsibilities

    Event Planning & Client Coordination (Pre-Event)

    • Serve as the primary point of contact for zero waste event clients

    • Proactively confirm event needs by using all appropriate communication channels (email, phone, virtual and in-person meetings) to ensure timely coordination of attendance, materials, layout, and waste streams

    • Recommend waste diversion strategies appropriate to the scale and budget of the event

    • Coordinate compostable products and/or reusable serviceware with internal staff

    • Prepare event layouts, bin plans, signage needs and staffing plans

    • Ensure all event details (location, timing, bin counts, staffing, materials) are documented in the Events Calendar and operations systems

    • Coordinate truck usage and material delivery with operations staff

    • Prepare detailed invoices prior to events 

    • Clarify payment expectations with event contacts

    Event Execution (On-Site)

    • Attend events with all necessary bins, signage, serviceware, and tools

    • Set up and break down waste stations

    • Sort waste streams with event staff as needed

    • Train, manage, and support event staff and volunteers

    • Provide waste-sorting education to attendees & event staff in a friendly, non-judgmental way

    • Troubleshoot contamination issues in real time

    • Ensure worker breaks and schedules comply with Oklahoma labor laws

    • Take high-quality photos and short videos for documentation and social media

    Post-Event & Reporting

    • Capture accurate diversion data

    • Compile post-event summaries for clients (including diversion outcomes when applicable)

    • Track recurring event performance and recommend improvements

    • Support internal data tracking and reporting efforts

    Sales & Business Development (Secondary)

    • Respond to inbound event inquiries and provide pricing estimates

    • Identify opportunities to convert one-time events into recurring service contracts

    • Represent the company at community events, tabling opportunities, and site tours

    • Assist with outreach to venues, festivals, and institutions

    • Assist with sales of other FG products and services as time allows

    Qualifications

    • Experience in event management, sustainability, waste reduction, or environmental education (professional or volunteer)

    • Strong organizational skills and comfort juggling multiple events at once

    • Excellent communication skills—especially with the general public

    • Ability to work independently and make decisions in dynamic environments

    • Comfortable with physical work (lifting bins, sorting waste streams, standing for long periods, working outdoors)

    • Valid driver’s license and ability to drive company vehicles

    • Alignment with zero waste, sustainability, and community-based values

    Preferred (But Not Required)

    • Experience with composting, recycling, or materials recovery

    • Familiarity with zero waste principles and event standards (EPA guidelines, ILSR, Zero Waste USA, ZWIA, TRUE etc.)

    • Experience supervising staff or volunteers

    • Basic social media or photography skills

    Working Conditions

    • Mix of office planning and hands-on field work

    • Frequent evening and weekend hours during peak event periods

    • Outdoor work in a variety of weather conditions

    • Occasional lifting up to ~50 lbs

    Schedule, Compensation & Benefits

    • Flexible scheduling outside of event days; evenings and weekends required

    • 35–40 hours per week, depending on season

    • Pay: $22/hour

    • Paid time off - up to 3 weeks per year

    • Paid training

    • Opportunity for cooperative membership and shared ownership after eligibility requirements are met

    • Profit sharing and leadership opportunities for worker-owners

    • Access to limited-scope legal support for eligible cooperative members, including basic estate planning documents, notarization, guidance on common pro se legal matters, and referrals for issues requiring full legal representation

Apply Here

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