Oregon City Farmers' Market Manager (Jan 7)

Compensation

Flexible full time equivalent, salaried position $41,600 annually

Mileage reimbursement per IRS rules

No benefits

The Oregon City Farmers Market is a 501(c)3 non-profit, founded in 2005 by a collaboration

between Clackamas County, OSU Clackamas County Extension, Clackamas Soil and Water

Conservation District and community members who wanted a source for locally grown food

and a community gathering place. The market runs year-round on Saturdays, weekly from May

through October (26 market days) and every other week November through April (13 market

days). The Market Manager is the face of the market, working with the Board of Directors to

plan and oversee all market operations. The Manager’s job spans a wide range of duties and

requires a person capable of providing confident, strong leadership that is consistent with the

market’s values. As a prominent member of the Oregon City business community, the Manager

must also strive to maintain positive, collaborative relationships with other organizations,

businesses and residents of the City.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

Vendor Management – Coordinate weekly market roster, stall assignments, vendor fee

collection, & load-in / load-out logistics. Monitor vendors at the market for compliance with

market rules and food safety regulations; enforce market rules and/or fines when necessary.

Update annual vendor handbook and application, process applications, and collect all fees and

make bank deposits weekly. Responsible for vendor recruitment. Curate product and vendor

mix to fit the market’s mission and serve the customer base appropriately by maintaining an

active knowledge of the region’s farmers and food makers, connections with other area market

managers, and by thorough evaluation of potential new vendors. Conduct on-farm site visits to

potential new farmers, before approving them and possibly after too as is deemed necessary.

Market Promotion – Perform weekly market promotions including, writing the market’s blog,

social media posts (Facebook, Instagram), Next Door and any other appropriate channels.

Develop and implement advertising opportunities, including but not limited to quarterly articles

in the City’s Trail News as well as print or online ads. Submit seasonal banner applications to

City and take banners to be hung to Public Works Dept. Meet with designer and design

seasonal bookmarks, poster, flyers. Print and distribute at Market, library, stores, schools etc.

Market Programming/Funding – Plan and coordinate the Market Kitchen demos staffed by

chefs and vendors, POP Kids Activities--each market day during summer, including Jam-Making

and Cider-Pressing with OSU Extension, market product tastings (Tomato and Apple) and events

(Seed Swap, Pollinator Fair, Sauerkraut-making etc.) Maintain and build relationships with

farmers, vendors, health inspectors, OSU Extension, Clackamas County, City of Oregon City,

Oregon City Chamber, non-profit groups (Rotary, Optimists, Kiwanis etc.), neighborhood

groups. Identify and reach out to potential funders for sponsorship support, while maintaining

relationships with existing sponsors and funders.

Financial Tasks – Complete market report after each market day, including stall fees collected,

merchandise sold, and credit card sales plus Double Up Food Bucks coupons and POP Club

tokens issued, market kitchen supplies and expenses. Prepare annual budget together with

Board President and bookkeeper. Reimburse vendors for returned tokens by writing weekly

checks. Deposit all incoming revenue, grants and donations. Track all tokens distributed and

returned. Pick up mail at the PO Box at least once a week. Provide bills, market report, VISA

and other receipts to the bookkeeper weekly.

General Management – Coordinate the market day from start to finish, including driving the

market truck to and from the site, overseeing market volunteers, market site condition and

safety; be available to solve disputes, answer questions or address incidents as they arise.

Monitor weather before each market day. Make last minute decisions and communicate

effectively to both vendors and customers any changes in schedule predicated on weather

conditions. Be accessible and manage the market’s contact phone and email addresses, fielding

customer, vendor, volunteer concerns or questions by phone and email. Create report of

manager’s work and achievements for monthly Board meeting. Help compile meeting agenda,

attend additional Market committee meetings as needed. Upkeep market site liaisons with

County staff, Market’s insurance, licenses, and other necessary paperwork as needed for both

the County and City.

Attend PDX Farmers Market managers meetings (3 or 4 a year.) Attend annual Oregon Farmers

Market Association conference and Small Farms Conference in February. Gather market data

and oversee customer counts and periodic dot surveys to assess growth of market. Recruit and

schedule market volunteers for events, kids activities, Information Booth, and set up and break

down crews. Procure market supplies (trash bags, paper towels, table cloths, tables, chairs,

canopies, banners, signage as needed), cooking demo supplies (table cloths, paper towels,

sample cups, spoons, buckets, water containers, salt, oil etc.), POP Club kids activity supplies

(button-making supplies, washable markers, potting soil, paper cups etc.), tastings and event

supplies (paper plates, toothpicks, blank cards, pens, signage plus certificate for winner).

Set agenda for and coordinate annual Vendor Meeting (inviting speakers, videos, providing

snacks etc). Attend to truck maintenance, tire pressure, oil changes, repairs. Fill generator

gasoline can and propane tank regularly for use at market. Wash buckets, water containers,

wipe over plastic tables cloths, wash fabric table clothes weekly or when necessary. Coordinate

truck clean out with Board help annually.

Other Duties as Assigned/Needed – The Manager’s responsibilities are not limited to the

above and may change with or without notice based upon needs of the market. The duties

above indicate the essential functions of the position. Operational flexibility is required to

meet sudden and unpredictable needs.

REQUIRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

• Desire and ability to ensure a high-quality farmers market in service to our mission

statement, vendors and customers. Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of

the regional food system and how a farmers market fits into that system.

• Ability to positively, calmly and consistently handle unexpected issues, disputes, or

emergencies as they arise with a can-do attitude.

• Strong oral and written communication skills with vendors, staff, and the Board of

Directors. The market manager is the public face of the market.

• Self-starter ability to work independently, keeping track of details and prioritizing a wide

diversity of tasks.

• Ability to drive the market truck, lift 40lbs, set up canopies and lift heavy boxes,

in conditions which will include rain, wind, hot and freezing temperatures.

PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

• Relevant work experience in one or more of the following: farmers market

management, retail, farming, public health, food service, social work, food systems.

• Familiarity and connections with regional farmers, food producers, and

relevant organizations.

• Proficiency with business systems, finance, and budgeting.

• Experience with designing promotional flyers, event posters, and/or advertisements

TO APPLY, please submit your resume and a cover letter answering (but not limited to) the

following questions:

1) What interests you in the position?

2) What short-term and long-term roles do you think a farmers market plays within a

community?

3) How does your professional experience make you a good fit for the skill set and

demanding nature of this position?

The Hiring Committee will accept applications through January 7, 2020. Email your resume and

application cover letter to ContactTheBoard@orcityfarmersmarket.com

OCFM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for

employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental and

disability status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

Our mission statement:

The Oregon City Farmers Market brings together community,

farmers, artisans and educators to celebrate, discover and promote

healthy, local, sustainable food as an integral part

of a resilient and thriving local economy.