Farmers Market Assistant

Valley Food Partnership is a regional 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization located in Olathe, Colorado.

The mission of Valley Food Partnership (VFP) is to connect local agriculture and local people. We envision a resilient regional food system that sustains the land, producers, and healthy communities.

To learn more, visit www.valleyfoodpartnership.org.

Job Title: Farmers Market Assistant

Direct Report: Farmers Market Manager

Classification: Temporary, limited part-time, non-exempt (8 hours/week for 27 weeks, Apr 21-Oct 25)

Pay rate: $17/hour

Starts: ASAP

Purpose of the Position: The Farmers Market Assistant (FMA) is a program support position for the Montrose Farmers Market (MFM). The FMA is responsible for supporting the MFM Manager with weekly operations of the summer MFM, including but not limited to, ensuring grounds are ready for vendors, setting up the Manager’s tent, displaying marketing materials, providing customer service to visitors, and closing out the market each week.

The primary job duties and responsibilities of the Farmers Market Assistant include the following:

Market Operations

• Be on-site every Market Day (Saturday) or, in extenuating circumstances, secure and coordinate your absence with the MFM Manager.
• Follow MFM operations for set up and break down, including but not limited to:

o Setting up the managers booth.

o Display MFM signage, kids’ activities, food access marketing materials, etc.

o Setting up road closures as needed

• Ensure MFM storage space is organized.
• Be prepared to lead and follow MFM Emergency Procedures if necessary.
• Be prepared and competent to run the market independently in the absence of the MFM Manager.

Vendor Management

• Maintain and build positive relationships with vendors. Support positive inter-vendor relationships and ensure vendors conduct themselves in a professional, friendly manner to customers, fellow vendors, and market staff.
• Support the MFM Manager to ensure vendors comply with MFM’s rules and regulations

Event Planning & Coordination

• Support the successful implementation of special events.
• Support gathering the necessary invoice approval from musicians.

Marketing & Promotion

• Post to social media as directed by the MFM Manager.

Financial & Food Access Management

• Distribute and verify the return of vendor collection envelopes, following security procedures to ensure the safety of money.
• Provide SNAP dollars and distribute Double Up Food Bucks to customers during the market, collecting corresponding required data.
• Support redemption other alternative currencies as they become available.

Customer Engagement & Community Outreach

• Create a warm, welcoming presence for customers, providing excellent customer service.
• Provide market tours as requested.
• Support market volunteers to be successful.

Overall Program and Organizational Support:

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for this position are:

• Ability to be present every Saturday, May thru October; or in extenuating circumstances, schedule absence with MFM Manager
• Assistant may choose 3 Saturdays to take off during the summer (with advanced notice, & specific dates are subject to supervisor approval).
• Able to take direction from others.
• Be someone who genuinely enjoys engaging with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to coordinate a fast-paced, high-energy environment with lots of moving parts.
• Comfortable working outside in most weather conditions.
• Capable of physically demanding work.
• Strong communication (mostly verbal) skills.
• Passion for local agriculture.
• Community-minded.
• Experience working with diverse populations (age, background, culture, economic status, personality, etc.).
• Growth mindset.
• Ideal candidate will be bilingual/bicultural

Work Hours

The Farmers Market Assistant (FMA) position is a temporary, limited part–time, non-exempt position. FMA will work 8 hours per week on Saturdays, each week of the summer market, May-Oct plus an onboarding week. This is a location-based job, occurring at Centennial Plaza in downtown Montrose.

Requirements

The position requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, current auto insurance, and a cell phone.

To learn more and how to apply, visit: https://valleyfoodpartnership.org/joinus

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $17.00 per hour

Shift:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Commute:

• Montrose, CO 81401 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Montrose, CO 81401: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17