Company description

The Ecology Center is a 49-year-old nonprofit located in West Berkeley. Our mission is to inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond. The Ecology Center transforms the ideas of sustainability into everyday practice. We offer information you can act on, infrastructure you can count on, and leadership for lasting change. We are working toward a world of resilient communities, zero waste and toxics, equal access to healthy food, sustainable resource use, and a safe and stable climate.

Job description

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Ecology Center is seeking a Farmers’ Market Program Manager to lead the Berkeley Farmers’ Market Program. The Program Manager works under the supervision of the Food and Farming Program Director to oversee all aspects of the three Berkeley farmers’ markets, as well as on-site management of one or more of the markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This is a full-time position, generally with a Tuesday through Saturday workweek, which involves approximately 16 to 20 hours at market and 34 to 20 office hours every week.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop plans, policies, goals, and objectives for the Ecology Center Farmers’ Markets in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations, and in accordance with the goals and strategies of the Ecology Center mission and strategic plan; Ensure that all markets operate in compliance with applicable State and local laws and regulations, as well as with the Ecology Center Farmers’ Markets Policies.
• Develop and adhere to annual budget, monitor departmental expenses, grant income and expenses, provide financial projections for program activities; Collaborate with Program Director and Development Director to fundraise, including submitting grant proposals, participating in events, and cultivating membership and donors.
• Manage the Saturday market including market set-up and breakdown, stall fee collections, signage, load list distribution and collection, EC booth staffing, volunteer coordination, and all other market activities. Manage Tuesday and Thursday markets as needed, in collaboration with Operations Manager and other staff.
• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate performance of, and schedule Farmers’ Market staff; develop Farmers’ Market collaborative team in managing all aspects of all Farmers’ Market operations.
• Recruit and select farmers and other vendors in order to maintain full and balanced markets with input from staff and advisory committees in accordance with Ecology Center mission and strategic goals; Field inquiries via phone and email from vendors; Lead efforts to on-board, train, and when necessary, take disciplinary action with farmers and other vendors.
• Plan and execute outreach, marketing and promotional strategies to attract new shoppers and increase repeat shoppers though advertising, social marketing, on-line, and event approaches; Oversee the preparation and distribution of monthly farmers’ market newsletter
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• The proven ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments and situations.
• Demonstrated ability to build farmers’ markets as a successful business, or similar small business enterprise.
• Proven ability to manage and supervise at least 3 staff and develop a collaborative team.
• General environmental, farming, or social justice knowledge and literacy to support the Ecology Center’s environmental and social justice mission.
• Broad and deep knowledge of sustainable food systems, food justice, and related topics.
• Competency with word processing, spreadsheet, database in a Mac computer environment and ability and willingness to learn new applications as needed
• Proven ability and enthusiasm for developing and maintaining relationships with participants including city officials, businesses, chefs, farmers, vendors, customers, neighbors and other members of the public.
• Demonstrable ability to effectively resolve conflict and have sound judgment under pressure.
• The ability and willingness to monitor and enforce policies with staff, vendors, and the public.
• Flexibility and creativity, ability to “think on your feet” and find appropriate solutions to unique challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Regularly talk or hear up to 8 hours a day;
• Regularly sit, type, and use the mouse up to 7 hours a day;
• Regularly sit and stand from chair up to 20 times a day;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly drive a vehicle of approximately 20ft, usually during day light hours in dry conditions, but occasionally in the evening hours and in wet conditions;
• Regularly stand, kneel, climb, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms;
• Regularly lift, carry and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Occasionally climb stairs and/or take elevator;
• Occasionally get in and out of car up to 6 times a day;
• Regularly stand and walk for up to 9 hours at a time;
• Regularly work outdoors in all kinds of weather and conditions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Conversational Spanish fluency preferred.
• Experience with or training in mental health first aid, safety, and de-escalation preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree, or five years of related work experience.
• Two years of farmers’ market or closely related small business management experience working directly with the public and diverse communities.

HOURS

Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, generally a Tuesday through Saturday workweek, with approximately 16 to 20 hours market, 34 to 20 office hours every week.

WAGE

Starting salary range is $59,000 – $64,500, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Please note that only internal candidates are eligible for the highest starting salary. This position is eligible for benefits which include fully vested 401K plan, vacation/sick/holiday pay, Employee Assistance Program and paid employee medical, dental, and optional vision plan. During COVID-19, this position may also be eligible for additional essential worker pay.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

Deadline

June 08, 2020