Assistant Farmers Market Manager - Agricultural Institute of Marin

Position: Assistant Farmers Market Manager
Company: Agricultural Institute of Marin
Job Type: Part-time
Location: San Rafael

BACKGROUND

The Agricultural Institute of Marin is an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Rafael, California. AIM’s mission is to educate, inspire, and connect communities, responsible farmers and producers as part of a healthy, Earth-friendly, equitable local and regional food system. We envision a responsible food and farming system that is environmentally beneficial, economically viable, and socially just. AIM serves 400+ farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from 40 California counties who participate in AIM’s Certified Farmers Markets in the cities of Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Point Reyes, San Rafael, and San Francisco. AIM also provides hands-on and virtual education programs to thousands of children and adults, operates a farm audit program, runs a mobile market for older adults and underserved communities, curates a multi-farm produce box program, and operates CalFresh/EBT and Market Match services to create a healthier, equitable food system across the San Francisco Bay Area. 

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

 AIM embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. 

JOB SUMMARY

The Agricultural Institute of Marin is seeking a dedicated part-time Assistant Farmers Market Manager for our year-round farmers market that occurs every Sunday at the Marin Civic Center Farmers Market in San Rafael. The Assistant Farmers Market Manager assures the smooth operation of the farmers market by assisting the Market Manager in setup and breakdown of the market and by providing excellent customer service in the Information Booth. This is an entry-level position with potential for a career pathway in farmers markets operations, agricultural education, or local food systems strategies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist Market Manager in securing site, including closing/reopening park entrances.

• Assist Market Manager in setting up and breaking down the market, including AIM market equipment, ATM(s), signage, information booth, restrooms, entertainment, café area(s) and garbage disposal.

• Staff the information booth, providing excellent customer service and assisting with all transactions.

• Operate AIM's EBT program by swiping EBT cards and distributing tokens to purchase healthy foods.

• Collect and process vendor payments for their market space.

• Assist Market Manager with market operations.

• Maintain excellent relations with vendors, customers, staff and local governmental/community organizations and businesses.

• Maintain market cleanliness through the day.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 21 years of age.

• Must have valid CA driver's license and clean driving record.

• Physical capacity to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs, load/unload equipment to/from truck.

• Excellent communication, problem solving and organizational skills, with attention to detail.

• Ability to maintain calm, handle details and multi-task in a busy environment.

• Self-starter with outgoing, sunny personality with a sense of humor.

• Energetic, active person who is also a team player who takes direction well.

• Excellent punctuality and attendance.

• General  understanding and/or sincere interest in food and farming.

• Ability to work early mornings and long hours every Sunday.

HIGHLY PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual in Spanish or Chinese.

• General understanding and/or sincere interest in food, nutrition and farming.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS

This position requires regularly lifting 50+ lbs, when setting up and breaking down the market, primarily when: 

• Unloading and loading market equipment from/to the truck (tables, chairs, canopy, canopy weights, portable ATM machine, cones, barricades, A-frames, market signs) for the customer service information booth/café areas.