Assistant Farmers Market Manager

The City of Issaquah Parks and Community Services Department invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Assistant Farmers Market Manager. Under the supervision of the Recreation Supervisor, this position aids the City of Issaquah Farmers Market at the Pickering Barn.  An incumbent must possess excellent interpersonal skills and tact, organizational and planning ability and be able to respond to vendors, staff, customers, and other market attendees.  The ideal candidate is passionate about helping small businesses and Washington state farmers thrive, creating strong local food systems. Duties are often performed under stressful situations with rigid deadlines. This work requires a great deal of interpersonal activity.  The work includes, day of market and event execution, assists with organizing, implementing, and evaluating market and event activity. In part: Scheduling volunteers and community partners, overseeing event activities, assisting vendors and staff when needed, keeping the market footprint safe and orderly, and oversee load-in and load-out. The work is usually performed among others but requires the confidence to work independently. 

This position is part-time and consists of a semi-structured work schedule.  The Famers Market hours are seasonal and consistently 6:30 am – 3:30 pm each Saturday May through September.  The Assistant market manager will work closely with the Operations Lead and Recreation Supervisor to ensure smooth transitions before and after program activities.  Hours and shifts vary on any given day of the week and will vary in length, Monday through Sunday. Hours are flexible, but a typical work week will consist of shifts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 

 Work Environment
This position requires in person shifts with variable month to month scheduling. Most shifts will occur Thursday-Saturday. Work may be physically demanding and require walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying up to 40 pounds. Employees climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. On market days, work is performed outside in all types of weather conditions.

 Equity Statement
The City of Issaquah strives to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We value a variety of perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state, and local laws. We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to the success of our city operations.

• Represent the City of Issaquah with professionalism and superb customer service. 
• Operate weekly set-up and tear-down of the Issaquah Farmers Market at the Pickering Barn, including check-in and post market reconciliation administrative tasks. 

• Communicate with potential and established Farmers Market vendors, staff, volunteers, shoppers, and community partners. 
• Schedule Business & Non-Profit Community Partners and volunteers through the duration of the season. Update schedules weekly and communicate via email and phone to fill vacancies. 

• Assure attendee safety and enforce facility, health department, and liquor department policies. 

• Supervise and manage on site staff at market info booth, food court, entries and exits, etc.
• Ensure signage has been distributed effectively and publish updates to signage plan when needed. 

• Work closely with Operations Lead to facilitate hand off the facility between events.
• Perform custodial and light maintenance duties as needed, including sweeping, mopping, emptying garbage inside and outside the facility, garbage transport, picking up litter, etc.
• Ensure supervision of waste stations and proper disposal of waste by vendors. 
• Maintain program equipment in good working order and inform supervisor of necessary maintenance. 
• Oversee market activities and programs; provide on-site assistance during market hours to program participants and organizers.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of all food access programs and reporting requirements. Assist supervisor in administrative tasks and processes to reconcile and account for all food access transactions of various programs.
• Complete end of market staff and volunteer standing meetings.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• In the event of extreme weather, work with Supervisor to quickly plan and execute appropriate protocol and communicate with vendors and the City’s Communication Department. 

• Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
• Interest in community recreation, agriculture, food access, local food systems, sustainability,  and/or event planning preferred.
• An independent worker who proactively looks for inventive ways to increase efficiency in market operations. 
• A combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills & abilities to perform the job will be considered.
• Qualified applicants over 18 years of age must pass a criminal background screen.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• General rules, regulations, practices, and terminology of farmers markets and equipment used.
• Requirements of maintaining facilities and grounds in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
• Cleaning techniques and proper use of cleaning solutions and cleaning equipment.
• Intermediate or advanced reporting and record-keeping techniques.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, courtesy, and respect.
• Confidence to work independently and provide leadership to various groups. 
• Food access programs such as FMNP, EBT/SNAP, SNAP Market Match

SKILL IN:

• Analyzing situations accurately and adopting an effective course of action.
• Reading, interpreting, applying, and explaining rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing.

• Establish rapport and maintain cooperative working relationships with user populations.
• Ability to perform physical labor indoors and outdoors and in all types of weather (rain, heat, cold, etc.) while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Provide a can-do customer service attitude and ability to work with people who are under emotional pressure and in uncomfortable social circumstances.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to organize and coordinate vendors, staff, volunteers, shoppers, and community partners.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, elected officials, agencies, and the public.

Salary : $25 - $30