Date Submitted:
03/26/21
Farm Name:
Common Ground Farm, Inc.
County:
Orange
Position Title:
Newburgh Farmers' Market Manager
Position Description:
Common Ground Farm is seeking a part-time, seasonal Market Manager for the Newburgh Farmers’ Market. This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting the local food system, increasing food security, and growing community engagement in the City of Newburgh. The position requires excellent communication skills, the ability to think on one's feet, comfort in assuming a leadership role, and a willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
The Market Manager is responsible for enrolling and supporting a diverse vendor community, orchestrating market operations including operation of our food benefits programs, cultivating an inclusive market experience for all customers, and growing community engagement.
The mission of the Newburgh Farmers’ Market is to feed and engage the local community, support local farms and businesses, and create a more just food system. The Newburgh Farmers’ Market will be in operation from June 12th through November 20th, with 7-12 vendors per week from 10 am to 2 pm. The position will begin in mid April at 10 hours per week until the start of the market, when it will become a 20 hour per week position through December 4th. There is potential to continue the position in the 2021 market season.
Responsibilities:
Market Days
Pick up produce from Common Ground Farm before the market and return unpurchased produce at the end of the day
Set up and break down market manager tent and table and market day signage
Ensure vendor load-in and load-out runs smoothly
Sell produce and staff the market table with the assistance of interns
Supervise interns
Ensure compliance with State and City regulations
Fully administer and promote all of the Market’s food benefit programs including distributing Greens4Greens checks to vendors and redeeming SNAP/EBT tokens, FreshConnect, and ‘Greens4Greens’ checks from vendors
Collect vendor rent and submit market income to the CGF admin manager
Serve as vendor liaison and resource as needed, including troubleshooting on-site
Stay on-site until all vendors have packed up and cleared the area
Off-site
Recruit and enroll vendors with the goals of supporting local and sustainable agriculture, bringing high quality products to the market, and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion
Monitor vendor compliance with insurance requirements, fee payment, and required certifications
Recruit and schedule community organizations, special events, programming, and entertainment (Within the constraints of current health restrictions)
Seek business and community sponsors and partnerships
Lead outreach to encourage market attendance and to ensure that community members who rely on SNAP/EBT and Fresh Connect know of available benefits
Monitor weather for possible market cancellations and communicate any cancellations with all parties
Monitor the market budget together with the Executive Director to stay on track
Attend weekly staff meetings and work together with Beacon Market Managers to share best practices
Create marketing content including social media, email campaigns, banners, website content and paper flyers
Maintain weekly and seasonal trackers and accounting records, including food benefits usage, Greens4Greens usage, market attendance, and seasonal surveys
Provide documentation and written material as needed by Executive Director for grant applications
Necessary Skills:
Excellent communication skills, both in person and on social media
Great organizational skills, able to multitask and think on your feet
Enjoys working independently without direct supervision
Ability to interact comfortably with public and with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds
Passion for local agriculture, good food, and small businesses
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, in all weather conditions
Access to a computer and internet
Drivers’ license and personal means of transportation
Must have strong ties to the Newburgh community
Spanish language competency
Preferred Experience:
Experience in community engagement and organizing
Knowledge about the administering of SNAP/EBT and other food benefits programs
Schedule: Market manager will be on-site every Saturday, and will be expected to attend at regular staff meetings. Beyond these requirements, the market manager has the freedom to schedule office hours/meetings as needed during the week.
Compensation: The position is paid hourly at $20 per hour at 10 hours per week for eight weeks in April and May to prepare for the market and 20 hours per week from the start of the market season in June through December 4th.
How to Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Common Ground Farm’s Executive Director, Sember Weinman, sember@commongroundfarm.org. Please make sure to write 'Newburgh Market Manager' on the subject line of the email. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. We will begin first round interviews the week of April 5th.