Company description

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable local food system in the Washington DC region. Founded in 2012, Arcadia has four distinct programs: Sustainable Farm Production, Veteran Farmer Training, Youth Farm Education and the Mobile Market. All farm production and education programming is held at Arcadia’s Alexandria, VA site, about one hour from Washington, DC, while the Mobile Market is based in Northeast Washington, DC. The Mobile Market Headquarters is located at 1800 Perry Street NE, approximately 1 mile east of the Brookland Metro Station.

Arcadia's Mobile Market was established in 2012 to improve access of local, farm fresh food to the most underserved areas in Washington, DC. In 2018, the Mobile Market operated 10 weekly market sites, May-November. Each market is based around the Mobile Market vehicle, a bright green school bus/truck, and stocked with locally-produce fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy and more. The Market is open to everyone, and food assistance recipients are incentivized to shop at the market through Arcadia’s matching program, doubling the value of all food assistance benefits. Market sites include schools, libraries, recreation centers and senior wellness centers.

Job description

Our goals:

1. Make fresh, high-quality, local food convenient, affordable and consistently available for all DC residents
2. Support a shift in consumers investing in the food they eat by relieving some of the financial barriers. We do so by keep prices reasonable and by doubling the value of food assistance benefits spent at market (SNAP, WIC and Senior FMNP)
3. Create opportunity for local farmers to expand their reach to more DC residents

 

Arcadia is hiring two full-time Mobile Market Managers for the 2019 season. The Mobile Market Manager is a season long, full time position based in Northeast Washington, DC. With three market managers in total, the team will operate 10 weekly market sites across DC, each manager operating multiple markets each week. Markets operate Tuesday - Saturday, from mid-May through mid-November. Under the guidance of the Mobile Market Director, the Market Manager will manage Market Associates and volunteers, operate the market vehicle, be the leader at their respective market sites and complete harvest pickups from local farms.

Arcadia is a small but growing organization, and the right candidate will have the opportunity to grow with us and become an integral part of the Mobile Market program.The right candidate will be able to combine a passion for building a strong, local and sustainable food system with the practical skills and experience listed below.

 

Core Responsibilities

• Personnel Management

• • Lead a team of associates, effectively delegating tasks throughout a busy day
  • Manage Produce Plus distribution at market (June - September)
  • Support at-market needs of partner organizations
  • Set and maintain team standards for produce quality
  • Coordinate efficient produce care to maintain quality of goods
  • Lead market staff in produce sorting, donating, and composting at end of day

 

• Market Operations

• • Lead set up and breakdown of the market
  • Oversee market experience, building rapport and mutual respect with customers
  • Restock products, and maintain the market’s inventory and produce quality
  • Monitor product demand, solicit customer feedback and relay back to Director
  • Conduct transactions, handling different payments
  • Resolve challenges that arise
  • Facilitate at-market promotions (surveys, outreach, etc)

 

• Driving/Vehicle Operation

• • Safely operate program vehicles for market and sourcing needs
    • 16’ box truck market vehicle
    • 16’ Refrigerated box truck sourcing vehicle
    • 30’ retrofitted school bus market vehicle
  • Class B Commercial Driver License for bus operation
  • Maintain market vehicles on set schedule and monitor vehicle before, during and after operation for any issues/needs
  • Ensure product is securely stored on vehicle for transport
  • Monitor refrigeration equipment and power

 

• Sourcing from Arcadia farm and partner farms

• • Drive refrigerated box truck
  • Share role in sourcing trips from partner farms throughout season, 1-2 per week
  • Assess product quality and communicate any issues with farmer and Director
  • Confirm ordered amounts upon pickup
  • Ensure product is securely stored on vehicle for transport
  • Deliver product to market headquarters, unloading from vehicle and ensuring product is properly stored

 

Requirements

• Valid DC, MD or VA Driver’s License with clean driving record
• Food Safety Manager Certification, already held or will acquire once hired (sponsored by Arcadia)
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds repeatedly throughout the work day
• Able to work outdoors in difficult weather conditions
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (Prompt and clear communication in all forms)
• Skilled at strategic problem-solving, taking initiative, and delegating tasks
• Organized and reliable, able to perform in a fast-paced environment with competing demands

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Class B Commercial Driver’s License, already held or willing to acquire once hired (sponsored by Arcadia)
• Experience managing a team
• Knowledge of food inequity in DC and a passion for community-centered food access
• Excellent geographic knowledge of and experience driving in Washington, DC
• Experience working in the food industry (farming, restaurant, grocery, etc.)
• Spanish proficiency

 

Schedule

• Start Date:
  • If CDL not yet held, Market Manager will start April 1, 2019.
  • If CDL already held, Market Manager will start April 29, 2019.
• Markets operate May 21 - November 23, 2019
• 40 hours per week
• There is a range of shift lengths, start times and types. All three Managers will work with the Director to ensure all shifts are covered each week. Shifts will include a combination of mornings, evenings, weekdays and Saturdays.

This seasonal role may lead to a year-round position for the right candidate, or can be developed to offer consistent, seasonal employment for those looking to develop and grow alongside Arcadia.  

 

Compensation

• $18/hour

• 5 days of paid time off during market season

• Ready access to local, farm fresh food all season long!

Compensation this position is : hourly, $15/hr + Work visa This employer is willing to sponsor a work visa for international applicants Application instructions DeadlineMarch 19, 2019