Suffolk Farmers' Market Facilitator

City of Suffolk•Suffolk, VA

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Farmers’ Market Facilitator position facilitates the weekly operations, logistics, vendor relations, and administrative duties of the Suffolk Farmers’ Market and associated events produced by Suffolk Tourism. This role requires up to 29 hours per week, combining administrative tasks during the week with active, on-site facilitation on market days. The facilitator serves as the primary face of the market, ensuring a safe, vibrant, and profitable environment for vendors and shoppers alike. The Suffolk Farmers' Market operates February through early December. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions. Employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Supplemented by 1 year previous experience and/or training that includes hospitality industry operations, travel/tourism, marketing, customer service, office administration, and computer operations
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Requires a valid driver's license.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, stand for long hours, and lift up to 40 lbs. (tents, signs, umbrellas, tables, etc.)
Excellent communication skills to include conflict resolution, customer service, and public speaking abilities.
Experience with basic spreadsheet creation and tracking, knowledge of various social media platforms.
Reliable, consistent weekend availability during the market season.
Able to work mornings as early as 6:30am and possible evenings as late as 11:00pm.
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Suffolk Farmers' Market Facilitator.
Knowledge of principles and practices associated with office administration, customer service, and cashiering.
Knowledge of local attractions, amenities, services, roads/highways, and other hospitality/tourism resources.
Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department.
Knowledge and proficiency of computers and relevant software programs.
Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, policies, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, volunteers, members of the general public, outside agencies, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
Ability to use mathematical formulas to handle required calculations using percentages and decimals.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret reports and related materials.
Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data, includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.
Ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
Ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.
Ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.
Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with job related equipment.

Nice To Haves

Has the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, which includes weekend, seasonal, and holiday work activities.

Responsibilities

On-site attendance is mandatory every Saturday from 7am-3pm for setup, market hours, and teardown as well as at any associated market events.
Weekday hours are dedicated to vendor communication, marketing, administrative items, planning, and outreach. Weekly schedule includes Mondays 9am-5pm, Tuesdays 9am-1pm, Fridays 9am-5pm, and Saturdays 7am-3pm.
May include occasional travel within Virginia and the East Coast for agriculture or event-related conferences, professional development and/or events.
Solely responsible for early morning Market set-up, site map/vendor layout/space assignments, enforcing safety rules and market guidelines, and after-market breakdown and clean-up.
Research and recruit agricultural and artisan vendors, review applications, collect vendor fees, and ensure compliance with market policies.
Maintain vendor database, tracking availability and requests, monitoring product saturation and planning accordingly.
Book live entertainment, exhibits, food trucks, and family-friendly activities for the Market.
Assist with maintenance of the market's social media page, update weekly vendor lists, and coordinate local community outreach.
Create market programs and weekly, monthly and annual reporting.
Maintain records of vendor sales, provide product category breakdowns at end of season.
Serve as the primary point of contact to resolve vendor disputes and shopper inquires calmly and professionally.
Coordinate the Market's annual Pickle Palooza event off-site at the Downtown Festival Park.
Plan and execute the Annual Artisan Gift Fair in December, as well as any other specialty Markets (i.e. Winter, Thanksgiving, etc.)
Greets and assists visitors promptly; provides accurate information regarding City's highways, transportation systems, weather conditions, attractions, hotels, etc.
Projects a positive public image and promotes City of Suffolk attractions, restaurants, and hotels in response to personal, telephone, and email inquiries.
Receives moneys in payment of registration fees, purchases, donations, or other fees and services; records transactions, issues receipts, prepares bank deposits, and forwards as appropriate.
Performs general and/or clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, sending/receiving emails, entering data into computer, making copies, filing documentation, processing incoming/outgoing mail, or taking photographs at events/activities
Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, calendars, schedules, attendance records, monthly digital newsletters flyers, mailing lists, sales tickets, bank deposits, payment vouchers, or other documents.
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, membership lists, invoices, cash and checks, handbooks, policies, procedures, directories, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, Internet, email, or other programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, ink, or toner.
Communicates with supervisor, employees, docents, volunteers, students, other departments, City officials, local businesses, local lodging/restaurant establishments, community organizations, visitors, local residents, the public, the media, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
Attends various meetings; represents the City at special events.
Maintains professional affiliations; participates in training sessions and workshops as appropriate.
Provides assistance to visitors and customers as needed.
Sets up, moves, and/or takes down equipment and exhibits as needed.
Provides assistance with special events produced by the City.
Performs other related duties as required.