Company description

The mission of Athens Land Trust is to empower and sustain communities through responsible and visionary land use. We are both a conservation and community land trust, which means that we work to protect natural resources, and to foster affordable housing and other community centered land use opportunities, through our Conservation, Housing and Community Agriculture Programs.

Job description

<strong>OVERVIEW<br /></strong>Athens Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to encourage cohesive communities by conserving land and natural resources, providing sustainable affordable housing and supporting local agriculture. <br /><br /> Athens Land Trust’s West Broad Farmers Market (WBFM) is looking to fill an important role! We are hiring a new Market Manager for the upcoming 2015 market season. We are looking for a self-starter, who is excited to take ownership of the WBFM and work toward building market sustainability. People with a passion for local food and community and market experience are encouraged to apply. The West Broad Farmers Market is held every Saturday, from May 2 through December 12, 2015, and is open from 10am until 2pm. <br /><br /> The Market Manager’s general responsibilities include: Working to build a sustainable farmers market, overseeing market operations, fostering community support for the market, promoting the market, managing the market’s educational activities and events, supporting vendor development, collecting market data and keeping accurate records. Successful managers understand both the vendors’ and the market goers’ needs and, in collaboration with other ALT staff, design and implement strategies to meet these needs. The manager is required to be on-site at every market and available to vendors and market goers for the entirety of the market’s hours. <br /><br /><strong>JOB RESPONSIBILITIES</strong><br /> The Market Manager is expected to support and grow the WBFM, while also building sustainable systems for collecting and tracking market data. Additionally, the Manager is tasked with the responsibility of communicating the values of community building, food justice and education. <br /><br /> The Market Manager is the “go-to” person for vendors and market goers during market hours and serves as the liaison among all market participants. As such, the Market Manager must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of people. The Market Manager must be able to work independently as well as cooperatively with a team of ALT staff and volunteers. <br /><br /><strong><em>MARKET START UP </em></strong> <ul> <li>Recruit new vendors.</li> <li>Monitor compliance with relevant regulations and codes.</li> <li>In collaboration with the ALT Farms Business Manager, review the budget and maintain records of market expenses and income.</li> <li>Ensure that all vendor forms are completed properly and retained.</li> <li>Facilitate market orientations for market staff, volunteers and vendors.</li> </ul> <strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>MARKET OPERATIONS</em></strong> <ul> <li>Oversee all market operations.</li> <li>Enforce the WBFM Operating Policies.</li> <li>Coordinate and manage the opening and closing of each market.</li> <li>Manage the collection of market data and ensure that all necessary information is tracked and recorded.</li> <li>Manage the EBT/Debit/Token table.</li> <li>Manage the vendor fee collection process.</li> <li>Maintain an information booth and weekly newsletter.</li> <li>Assist with booths when necessary.</li> <li>Serve as the quality control person for produce and craft items, as well as for the market’s general appearance and cleanliness.</li> <li>Ensure safety and cleanliness of the site before, during and at the conclusion of each</li> <li>Handle emergencies and complaints.</li> </ul> <strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING</em></strong> <ul> <li>Represent the market in meetings with community members and growers.</li> <li>Develop and maintain good working relationships with ALT staff, volunteers, vendors, market goers, sponsors and community organizations.</li> <li>Coordinate and encourage volunteerism from sponsors and community groups.</li> <li>Build positive customer relations.</li> <li>Follow instructions from and maintain communications with the board of directors.</li> <li>Work with the board and vendors to develop strategic plans.</li> </ul> <strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>VENDOR DEVELOPMENT</em></strong> <ul> <li>Educate and assist vendors with merchandising, pricing and other marketing and business skills.</li> <li>Support vendor development through one-on-one coaching.</li> </ul> <strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>EDUCATION & OUTREACH</em></strong> <ul> <li>Work with ALT staff and interns to promote the market and develop new promotional ideas.</li> <li>Review logos and other marketing tools with a committee as necessary.</li> <li>Create and plan an annual calendar of events.</li> <li>Educate market goers about locally grown produce.</li> <li>Lead and manage the market’s community education component, including cooking demonstrations, sustainable agriculture and environmental education and health education.</li> <li>Regularly research best practices to inform market activities and programming.</li> <li>Coordinate market volunteers.</li> </ul> <strong><em>EVALUATION AND REPORTING</em></strong> <ul> <li>Conduct surveys to measure market’s impact on shoppers and vendors.</li> <li>Invite, listen to and use input from vendors and others to improve the market.</li> <li>Lead in monitoring and, when necessary, revision of the market’s mission, goals and strategies.</li> <li>Submit monthly, quarterly and/or annual reports, as required by grants.</li> </ul> <strong>APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS</strong> <ul> <li>A passion for sustainable agriculture, local food systems, community development and/or local economies.</li> <li>Understanding of and experience with farmers market management.</li> <li>Strong computer, organizational and time management skills.</li> <li>Excellent communication skills.</li> <li>Experience working with diverse audiences.</li> <li>Must be able to make a full season commitment.</li> <li>Willing/able to work outside in all kinds of weather.</li> <li>Able to lift up to 50 lbs.</li> </ul> <strong>COMPENSATION:</strong> This is a year-round, 25-30 hour/week position (with the opportunity to increase these hours). Pay will be commensurate with experience. <strong> <br /><br /></strong><strong>To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to:</strong><br /> Kelley Robbins-Thompsonkelley@athenslandtrust.org<br /> Subject header: Market Manager Application

Compensation

this position is: hourly

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline