Job: Farmers Market Coordinator, Massachusetts

Hours: Full Time, 40+ hrs/wk, Seasonal Temporary Position (May-November 2011); Must be able to work a full day every Saturday. Salary: Low to mid $30k, DOE Start Date: May 2011 Deadline for Application: May 1, 2011 DESCRIPTION: The Regional Environmental Council, Inc. (REC), a grassroots, nonprofit, environmental justice organization with a 40-year history of working for environmental sustainability and social justice, is seeking a motivated and skilled individual to coordinate the Farmers Market Project of the REC’s Food Justice Program. This requires planning and managing 2 weekly markets that will run June through October in 2 of Worcester’s most food insecure communities. The Main South Farmers Market has run successfully for 3 seasons---a 1-month pilot in 2008 and a full 22 week season in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 REC also launched a second market location in collaboration with the Edward M Kennedy Health Center at Great Brook Valley. The GBV market will run biweekly in 2011 with the addition of a mobile market (selling produce from a vehicle) on market days. The Coordinator will be responsible for managing all aspects of planning and implementing successful farmers’ markets, including developing and implementing an outreach and marketing plan for both markets and for designing educational materials and planning and conducting educational workshops and other outreach efforts in order to build a customer base for the markets in food insecure communities. Work hours for the position will include regular weekend and some evening commitments. This position reports directly to the REC Food Justice Program Director. A successful candidate must be available to work on site at the markets every Saturday.

Tweet

Detailed Responsibilities Include:

1. Business and Market Planning: Developing a business and marketing plan for farmers market related activities including multiple market scenarios, year-round marketing, and creative income generating projects.

2. Market Management: Requires managing 2 weekly farmers’ markets during a 22 week ( from mid-June through the last Saturday in October) period including a weekly market in Worcester’s Main South Neighborhood, and a biweekly market at the Edward M Kennedy Health Center in Worcester’s Great Brook Valley neighborhood. Duties include (but are not limited to): on-site market  coordination, business, logistics, and operations planning; supervising and working with youth staff members to oversee the set up/clean up and daily operation of the markets; managing finances and bookkeeping; generating reports for internal and external use, cultivating, supporting, and engaging in problem solving with vendors; and working with community members and REC volunteers to do ongoing community outreach, marketing and advertising. The Farmers Market Coordinator must be onsite during hours of market operation.

3. Mini Markets: Requires organizing, planning and executing 1 day market events at additional sites throughout the city of Worcester in collaboration with partner organizations on a monthly basis.

4. Mobile Market: (dependent on additional funding) Develop and implement a “mobile market” vehicle that will bring fresh farmers market produce directly to low-income residential  neighborhoods throughout Worcester.

5. Education and Outreach: Conducting workshops, developing informational brochures and presentations to develop and grow a customer base for a local food economy.

6. Business Partnerships: Working with area businesses to sponsor special events and specific program elements as well as to develop support for the market through facilitating direct farm to business sales.

7. Fundraising and Donation Solicitation: Working in partnership with the Program Director, Development Coordinator and Executive Director on grant proposals and reporting in support of the market as well as developing corporate sponsorship opportunities.

8.  YouthGROW: Working with the YouthGROW urban agriculture program over the spring and summer with some responsibilities to build and implement farmers market related curriculum elements. Responsible for supervising youth staff for YouthGROW market booth at markets.

JOB SKILLS:

The REC is seeking an outgoing, highly motivated and organized people-person to manage our farmers’ market project. We are seeking candidates with the following skills and experience:

o Organic/local agriculture experience
o Knowledge of the Main South, Great Brook Valley and other low income Worcester neighborhoods a plus.
o Excellent people and communication skills, both written and verbal
o Business planning and marketing skills
o Grant writing and development experience a plus.
o Basic accounting and bookkeeping experience a plus.
o Interest in and commitment to environmental and social justice
o Self-motivated, detail oriented and reliable
o Previous experience working with youth and racially, ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse populations
o Basic graphic design skills a plus.
o Evaluation experience including surveying and managing statistical data a plus.
o Volunteer recruitment and supervision experience
o Youth work supervision and mentoring experience a plus.
o Event planning experience
o Must have valid MA driver’s license, access to own vehicle and willingness to use own vehicle to transport materials, youth staff, etc. Must also have comfort with driving large van or similar vehicle.
o Spanish language skills a plus

If you feel you do not have all of the skills listed but DO have an excitement and passion for this work, please consider applying.

Send Resume with cover letter to: Casey Burns, Food Justice Program Director, Regional Environmental Council, PO Box 255, Worcester, MA 01613, fax to (508) 799-9147 or email  foodjustice@recworcester.org. Email with subject: “ Farmers Market Coordinator” and follow-up with phone call to Casey at (508) 799-9139. The Regional Environmental Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer M/F and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.