The Rochester Downtown Farmer’s Market: JOB OPENING

The Rochester Downtown Farmer’s Market: JOB OPENING

NOTICE OF JOB OPENING

Mission: The Rochester Downtown Farmer’s Market is a project of the Rochester Downtown Farmers Market Association, seeking to support sustainable agriculture and the family farm by sponsoring a market to provide farmers with a well-organized retail marketplace, to provide local access to quality farm products, and to strengthen the ties between the family farm and the community.

Job title: On-site Manager and Assistant to the Market Manager (one position)

Function:

The On-site Manager is responsible for Saturday Market operations, including vendor stall assignments; set up, break down, safety, and organization of the Market area; oversight of adherence to RDFM rules and policies; and management of on-site programs, staff, and volunteers. The function of Assistant to the Market Manager is to lend support to the RDFM Manager in areas of event planning; clerical; promotions distribution; and to act as an additional resource for inquiries from the community.

Reports to: Market Manager

Primary Duties, On-site Manager:

Facilities Management

  • Market set up, Saturday mornings during summer season: help with, and/or delegate, the placement of signs, traffic and pedestrian safety equipment, chalkboards, pavement chalking, canopies (Market info booth and for events, when required), sandbags as needed, Market literature, and fundraising items (tote bags, bottled water, etc.); overview of vendor stall assignments and placements; unlock bathrooms, check trash receptacles; look for potential problems with vendors or public; assist new or veteran vendors as needed; assist Market guests as needed.
  • Act as a resource for vendors and public; answer questions, address Market policies as needed, walk the Market! Check on bathrooms, signs, safety equipment, vendor or customer needs throughout morning.
  • Place musicians or other performers according to schedule.
  • Distribute materials to vendors when requested to by Manager; gather products from vendors, as needed, for Market events. Make compliance checks when requested to by Manager.
  • Collect and record vendor stall fees.
  • Oversee staff at Market Info booth, and any volunteers present at Market.  Staff Market Info booth to allow for breaks.
  • Troubleshoot problems with vendors and/or public; maintain a line of communication with Market Manager, as needed.  Make note of new vendor products.
  • Market break down (see above). Delegate Channel One duties (June-September) and Market Info booth closing, to staff and volunteers.
  • Consolidate cash and checks from cash box and vendor fees at end of day.
  • Keep notes for reports to Market Manager (including vendor and customer messages, supplies needed, and any problems occurring during day).
  • Submit cash, checks, records and reports to Market Manager.

Secondary Duties, Assistant to the Market Manager: Assumes related responsibilities as assigned by the RDFM Manager.

  • Clerical: assist with mailings to RDFM membership, including quantity printing, collating, and addressing envelopes.
  • Event planning: assist with volunteer and staff scheduling for events; errands associated with Saturday events (could include picking up supplies, distributing and/or delegating the distribution of promotional materials, contacting vendors, staff, and volunteers).
  • Assist with RDFM Membership meetings (could include assigned tasks such as registering members, and/or helping with the facilitation of meetings).
  • Respond to phone and email inquiries regarding potential new vendors and general information about the RDFM.
  • Maintain a line of communication with the Market Manager; submit reports as needed, in a timely manner.
  • Attend Board Meetings, as requested.
  • Assist with vendor contact regarding new products at Market; be an active contributor to the RDFM face book page.
  • Maintain a vendor list and Market map throughout season; keep track of permanent vendor planned absences and assign stalls to temporary vendors, on a weekly basis.
  • Maintain databases as requested by Market Manager.

To perform effectively in this position, the person must have:

  • A grasp of, and a willingness to assure compliance to, RDFM rules, policies, and bylaws.
  • Familiarity with RDFM programs (EBT, Channel One, etc).

•     Excellent oral, written, and electronic communications skills.

  • Ability to troubleshoot and resolve situations as they occur.

•     A computer (or access to a computer), and practical experience with Microsoft   

       Office programs (Word and Excel).

•     Effective time-management and organizational skills.

•     An interest in farmers markets and locally grown food; experience as a customer

       or as a vendor at a farmers market.

•     The ability to assist in planning activities (scheduling, organizing, and 

       implementing on-site events).

•     Skills in working with the public and staff, and in directing staff and volunteers;

       ability to delegate tasks, and motivate others.

Time commitment:

5 hours per week, March through April (training)

12 hours per week:

6 pm – 9 pm Fridays, May through October (vendor calls and market mapping)

6:30 am – 1 pm Saturdays, May through October (on-site, at summer market location)

2 ½ hours during week, as arranged with Market Manager

Compensation:

$10 per hour during training

$11 per hour, May through October

Position and wages will be reviewed by the Board of Directors in November of 2011, as well as the possibility of an extension into the Winter Market season.

To Apply:

Send cover letter, resumé (or pertinent work/community experience), contact information, and three references to:

Rochester Downtown Farmers Market

Attn: Board of Directors

PO Box 6554

Rochester, MN 55904

or by email delivery to: rochfarmmkt@hotmail.com

Deadline: January 28th, 2011

First round of interviews will occur January 10th, 2011; second round of interviews will occur February 7th, 2011.

Start date for training: March 1st, 2011.

Start date for position: May 7th, 2011.

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