Job Description FARMERS MARKET MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTIONJob Title: Farmers Market Manager
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Part-time (15-20 hours per week), non-exempt

About St. Johns Main Street
St. Johns Main Street is working to create a thriving and sustainable local economy for the St. Johns neighborhood. As part of the national Main Street movement, we promote local prosperity and livability by serving as a resource hub for community and local business.

Overview of the position:
The Farmers Market Manager is the primary face and leader for the St. Johns Farmers Market, a program of St. Johns Main Street. This role will be a mix of project management, relationship development, marketing and outreach and planning for the future.  We are looking for a highly organized, enthusiastic, food justice lovin’, funny individual to join our team in this capacity. Sound like you? Check out the “how to apply” information below.

Farmers Market Management:

• Manage the overall Farmers Market program and ensure that the season (May – Oct) is a huge success
• Innovate, brainstorm and dream big about ways to make the Farmers Market even more dynamic, culturally diverse and accessible to all residents
• Build community relationships with farmers, inspectors, businesses, other markets, city governments, nonprofits, extension agents, food banks, charity groups, etc.
• Stay up-to-date on city/state wide food justice or farmers market initiatives and attend important conferences or meetings.
• Annually update the vendor application process, market policies, and related website information
• Manage all of the before season preparation: secure plaza, obtain site permits and street closures, repair equipment and/or order new equipment, set season schedule, and coordinate the delivery of a POD storage unit for the Farmers Market
• Spread the word! Oversee the Farmers Market social media accounts and post relevant content. Brainstorm new ways to get the word out about the Farmers Market
• Manage and support the Farmers Market Site Coordinator, a seasonal position dedicated to managing the day-of logistics for the market
• Hire the Farmers Market summer interns and work closely with our community partner and Farmers Market Site Coordinator to support the interns

 Volunteers:

• Recruit community members, vendors and business owners to serve on our Farmers Market Planning committee. Provide ongoing support to this group and work alongside them to plan out the weekly market activities (music, demonstrations, community booth, sprout corner, etc.)
• Organize a community-wide plaza clean-up day the weekend before the market opens for the season
• Recruit volunteers to help with day-of volunteer tasks throughout the market season

 Vendor Relations: 

• Oversee the vendor selection process for the market season, including recruiting applicants, handling inquiries, managing applications, tracking payments and making the final selections
• Conduct farm inspections with any new farm vendors
• Provide business support to vendors and work closely with other members of the Main Street team to fold vendors into business seminars, trainings, etc.
• Organize a vendor training before the season starts. Equip all vendors with up-to-date information and the latest market rules & policies
• Assist vendors in market policy compliance, including but not limited to licensing requirements and food safety issues, vendor signage, cleanup, tardiness, etc. When policy questions, interpretations, or customer concerns arise on site, the Market Manager will resolve these to the best of their ability and refer them to the Executive Director if needed
• Provide weekly stall placement map to vendors during the market season

Food Justice:

• Be informed about SNAP, WIC, and other supplemental nutrition programs
• Enroll market and market farmers in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC)
• Work closely with the Community Programs Manager to plan and implement our food justice initiatives (Veggie Voucher program, educational classes/trainings)
• Collaborate with the Portland Farmers Market Fund on the statewide SNAP match initiative

Other Responsibilities:

• Regularly communicate Farmers Market happenings to other Main Street staff and ask for help when/where needed.
• Be a team player and participate in organization-wide events
• Assist with office clean-up and maintenance
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

 
Qualifications:

• Project management or coordination experience
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with intuitive interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively, lead projects, meet multiple concurrent deadlines, and organize time and priorities.
• Excellent financial, accounting, and analytical skills.
• Experience in community outreach or organizing with multi-stakeholder groups
• Ability to be comfortable in a wide range of settings with diverse groups; strong consensus building skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and highly organized
• Commitment to social justice, food security and/or community development

Preferred Skills:

• Experience managing a Farmers Market

Pay: Hourly wage of $15.50. 15-20 hours per week.  

How to apply:Send a copy of your resume and cover letter describing why you think you’re a good fit for this role to: jobs@stjohnsmainstreet.org. Please send these documents as pdf or word attachments.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

St. Johns Main Street provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Compensation this position is : hourly How to apply DeadlineNovember 06, 2015