Part Time Farmers Market Staff

Centerstate Corporation for Economic Opportunity•City of Oswego, NY

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GOFCC), an affiliate of CenterState CEO, is seeking a reliable, energetic and community-focused individual to provide on-site support for the Oswego and Fulton Farmers Markets. Seasonal Part Time Farmers Market Staff assist with market setup, vendor and customer support, market programs and day-of operations to help ensure a safe, welcoming and well-organized experience for vendors, customers and community partners. The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, comfortable working outdoors and able to adapt to the fast-paced and changing needs of a community farmers market.

Requirements

Prior customer service, farmers market, retail, hospitality, event or community-facing experience preferred but not required.
Strong customer service, communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to follow instructions and established procedures.
Comfortable interacting with vendors, customers and members of the public.
Ability to use basic technology, including an iPad and point-of-sale equipment, to support SNAP/EBT transactions and related Farmers Market programs.
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions. Farmers Markets operate rain or shine unless GOFCC management determines that severe weather or unsafe conditions require a delay, modification or cancellation. A GOFCC tent will be available for coverage during market hours.
Availability for Thursday afternoon/evening and/or Saturday morning shifts during the Farmers Market season. Typical shifts are approximately 3–8:30 p.m. on Thursdays in Oswego and 7 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Saturdays in Fulton, including market setup and breakdown.
Ability to work per diem/on-call based on market needs.
Professional appearance and conduct consistent with organizational policies.
Reliable transportation is required, and the position may require transporting market equipment and supplies, including folding tables, chairs, tents, tabletop materials, signage and other market materials.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Ability to communicate professionally with vendors, customers, community partners and staff.
Ability to remain calm, professional and responsive in a busy public environment.
Ability to follow market procedures and accurately handle program materials and transactions after appropriate training.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and recognize when vendor, safety, weather or operational issues must be escalated to GOFCC management.
Demonstrate reliability, punctuality and ability to consistently report for scheduled market shifts.
Ability to stand and remain active for extended periods.
Ability to work outdoors for the duration of a market.
Ability to lift, carry and move approximately 25–40 lbs as required for market setup and breakdown.
Ability to safely push, pull, lift and maneuver market equipment over outdoor and potentially uneven surfaces.
Ability to bend, reach, walk and perform tasks associated with market setup, operations and cleanup.

Responsibilities

Assist with setup of market materials, including tables, chairs, tents, signage, barricades, and other market equipment.
Assist vendors with locating assigned spaces and other basic setup needs.
Assist with preparing vendor spaces and common areas prior to the start of the market.
Monitor market areas and help ensure vendors keep their assigned stall spaces clean and free of trash throughout the market and at the end of the day.
Follow established market layouts and instructions provided by GOFCC staff.
Serve as on-site market personnel and assist GOFCC staff with market operations, including welcoming vendors, customers and community partners and provide friendly, professional customer service.
Assist with monitoring vendor arrival and departure procedures and help maintain safe pedestrian and vehicle flow in accordance with established market procedures.
Answer general questions about the market, vendor locations, programs and activities.
Process SNAP/EBT transactions and assist with FreshConnect Check distribution and other market nutrition or incentive programs in accordance with established procedures and training.
Accurately handle, track and reconcile SNAP/EBT tokens, FreshConnect Checks and other program materials as assigned, following established GOFCC procedures.
Help distribute market materials and provide information about available market programs and resources.
Assist with vendor needs and communicate concerns or operational issues to the Market Manager/GOFCC staff.
Monitor market areas and help ensure vendors maintain clean and orderly stall spaces and remove all trash and debris from their assigned areas at the conclusion of the market.
Assist with special activities, entertainment, community programming and other market initiatives as needed.
Help ensure market rules, safety procedures and organizational expectations are followed.
Assist with breakdown and removal of tables, chairs, tents, signage, barricades and other market equipment.
Help clean the market area following each market.
Ensure market equipment and materials are properly organized and stored.
Assist with final walkthroughs of the market area as directed by GOFCC staff.
Work collaboratively with GOFCC staff, vendors, volunteers, community partners, municipalities and other market personnel.
Communicate market issues, vendor concerns, incidents or unusual circumstances promptly to the appropriate GOFCC staff member.
Follow all GOFCC/CenterState CEO policies, Farmers Market rules, safety procedures and organizational expectations.