Common Ground Country Fair and Store Assistant

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association•Unity, ME

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Common Ground Country Fair and Store Assistant provides administrative support to the Fair manager and team, manages the online Country Store, and leads volunteers on projects such as inventory counts and store maintenance. The assistant helps with Fair tasks as needed and supports smooth operations of the Fair office and the Fair. The position carries out its work in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). Staff are expected to collaborate and assist colleagues across program areas when directed, including working at the Common Ground Country Fair. This is a year-round, part-time hourly position of 20 hours per week, with flexible hours generally Monday through Friday. Hours increase ahead of the Fair: 24 hours per week in June and July, 32 hours per week in August, and 40 hours per week during September. Additional extended hours are required during Fair setup and the Fair weekend. The position is hybrid, with time in the Unity office required during some of the work week and every workday in September. The employee reports to the Common Ground Country Fair Manager. The position is non-exempt under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Pre-approved overtime is eligible for hours worked over 40 per week. Pay is $23.22 per hour. The role is eligible for earned paid time off and MOFGA’s collective bargaining unit. MOFGA offers paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; parental leave; vacation and sick time; three personal days; two week-long office closures; 14 paid holidays annually; and a sabbatical after seven years of employment.

Requirements

First-hand familiarity with the Common Ground Country Fair and passion for MOFGA’s mission and work are described as desirable.
Comfort and proficiency with e-commerce platforms, website builder platforms, databases, Google Suite programs, and online organizing.
Familiarity with Zoom or other online video conferencing tools.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while prioritizing workload.
Comfort working with a broad range of stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, and members of the public.
Clear and professional phone, written, and in-person communication skills.
Comfort processing credit cards and cash.
Strong organizational skills and ability to handle high volumes of administrative detail.
Familiarity with MOFGA’s and the Common Ground Country Fair’s sales products.
Ability to lift and move boxes up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Retail experience, including familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, is preferred.
Previous experience with Shopify is preferred but not required.
Experience with, or ability to learn, online programs such as FestivalPro.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support to the Common Ground Country Fair Manager, including updating applications and contracts and sending confirmation packets.
Ensure Fair participant paperwork is completed, current, and appropriately filed in the database.
Respond by phone and email to inquiries from the public, exhibitors, and online store patrons.
Manage ribbon distribution and inventory for Fair awards, including compiling awards.
Update participant records and Fair program information in databases, and assist with database-entry projects.
Serve as the exhibitors’ liaison for electrical and Wi-Fi requests with the fair utilities coordinator and site crew.
Assist with Fair setup and cleanup as needed, including extended hours during the two-week setup period and helping manage office coverage.
Attend 7:30 a.m. planning team meetings during the Fair and staff the Fair office to support the Fair Manager and office operations.
Keep the online Country Store website up to date.
Maintain merchandise in good condition and organize it for inventory management.
Work with the Fair Manager on Fair merchandise orders.
Maintain accurate inventory counts and update them in the Shopify POS system.
Fulfill online store orders, process returns, and ship orders by mail and in person.
Work with the community engagement coordinator and lead volunteers on inventory counts and store maintenance.
Coordinate merchandise for pop-up sales opportunities as needed.
Perform other duties as required.
Carry out work in accordance with MOFGA’s mission, vision, and goals, and assist colleagues across program areas when directed, including working at the Fair.