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.