Company description

The Texas Center for Local Food hires people who are committed to creating local, sustainable and equitable food systems.  We provide education, research, and technical assistance to create regional food systems in Texas that support prosperous family farms, healthy Texans, and vibrant rural economies. We know that passion alone isn't sufficient; so if you've got the skills, we'd love to hear from you.

Job description

The Farmers Market Specialist (Spanish speaker) for the project, “A Fresh Look at Your Farmers Market,” is responsible for delivering high quality technical assistance and outreach services to farmers markets and recipients of SNAP benefits in Texas. This supports Texas Center for Local Food (TCLF) goals to increase sales of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables by people who use SNAP benefits. To apply, visit: https://apply.workable.com/texas-center-for-local-food/

This position is full-time, remote, and requires occasional travel within Texas. Weekly schedule is flexible; some weekend hours required. The successful candidate will live in South or Southeast Texas.

Activities and Responsibilities
● Provide direct technical assistance to approximately 50 Texas farmers markets to support their
acceptance of SNAP benefits and increase in SNAP sales for markets already accepting SNAP.
● Engage with farmers market organizers, vendors, and support staff, collaborating to plan, develop, and apply education and outreach strategies, activities, and materials that support purchase of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.
● Coordinate and facilitate farmers market operator network development and engagement through Facebook group, email listserv, monthly virtual meetups, and other platforms.
● Recruit new farmers markets to begin accepting SNAP.
● Collaborate with agencies serving recipients of SNAP benefits to plan, develop, and apply
education and outreach activities and materials that support purchase of Texas grown fruits and
vegetables at farmers markets.
● Outreach, coordinate, and collaborate with local organizations around each farmers market that
provide support services to recipients of SNAP benefits; catalyze community interest among SNAP recipients for farmers market purchasing.
● Create outreach materials in English and Spanish; translate English outreach materials to Spanish.
● Evaluate the satisfaction of TCLF services by all customers served (recipients of SNAP benefits, farmers market vendors/organizers, local organizations).
● Monitor farmers market needs and performance; gather data on participation in training courses, SNAP sales, and other data required for program evaluation and improvement.
● Gather data through engagement with individuals using SNAP benefits who shop at farmers
markets and those who do not yet shop at farmers markets.
● Prepare and store materials in a well-organized format to support reusability by others and
present at conferences and events.
● Be a positive role model for others, supporting the mission of TCLF.
● Use effective communication to present information accurately and clearly verbally and in writing.
● Work as a member of the farmers market services team to develop solutions and processes that
support the project goals and KPIs.
● Perform on-site farmers market visits working the market day at the SNAP booth at least twice
annually.
● Attend, present, and facilitate regularly scheduled meetings virtually and in-person (when
necessary).
● Participate in planning, promoting, and presenting at the TOFGA annual in-person conference and other conferences.
● Follow all policies and procedures of the TCLF, our clients, and collaborators.
● Be a reliable team player to the whole TCLF team; keep others informed about progress and
challenges, take lessons from successes and setbacks, respond to others ideas and feedback,
engage in group tasks and assist others, encourage the team and celebrate their successes, assess
your contributions and seek ways to improve.
● Other related assignments as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
● Speak and write fluent Spanish; native speaker and South Texas cultural fluency preferred.
● Must live in Texas, preferable South or Southeast Texas or be willing to relocate.
● At least 2 years of college with GPA of 3.0 or higher or commensurate experience.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
● Ability to take initiative, determine a plan of action, and operate towards outcomes.
● At least 1 year of experience with local food systems as a grower; community gardener, farmers market staff, vendor, volunteer, or board member, or other local food systems experience.
● At least 1 year experience building trusting relationships with lower-income families through
outreach, marketing, community health, food access, or USDA Nutrition assistance programs, or at least 1 year lived experience as a recipient of SNAP benefits or other nutrition assistance.
● Customer service orientation, willingness to engage with customers and community, ability to work cooperatively with people whose lived experience is different from your own, demonstrate an eagerness to serve.
● Experience in direct customer service and problem solving.
● Familiarity with SNAP acceptance procedures and processes.
● Valid driver's license, current vehicle liability insurance, and reliable transportation to fulfill job duties.

TCLF’s an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, other people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and veterans to apply. This position is grant-funded through September 2026, with the possibility of extension, potential future projects, and room for growth within the organization.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $35,568* - $50,000

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline