Company description

Position Overview

The Hillsdale Farmers’ Market (HFM) is a 501(c)4 non-profit, founded in 2002 by Hillsdale community members who wanted a source for locally grown food and a community gathering place. The market runs year-round from 9am-1pm on Sundays, weekly from April - November and twice a month December - April. There is no market on Easter. The HFM is a loved and respected part of SW Portland. Our local customers are loyal shoppers, rain or shine, but we also serve people from all around the Portland area. Our vendors come from a wide geography to bring the highest quality products to market, consistent with HFM policies.

The Assistant Manager’s job spans a wide range of duties and requires someone capable of providing confident, strong leadership that is consistent with the market’s values.

Along with the Manager, the Assistant Manager is the face of the HFM both to our customers and the many businesses we support.

The Assistant Manager serves as an on-site presence and is responsible for helping the Manager prepare for the market each week, assisting with market setup and tear down, ensuring that each market day runs smoothly.

Duties on non-market days include newsletter creation, social media management, volunteer coordination, and running our very successful kids program.

We are looking for a dynamic Assistant Manager to join our team who is passionate about farmers markets and our community and has a desire to contribute to the success and growth of our local community of vendors and customers.

While farmers market and food backgrounds are desirable, our staff brings a broad range of experiences to their role in the HFM. A successful Assistant Manager is enthusiastic, outgoing, enjoys working with children, and takes initiative on problems to come up with solutions. They are well-organized and flexible, and can think on their feet in a fast-paced environment. Event management/production, hospitality, project management, and other related skills are great fits.

Job description

Position Title: Hillsdale Farmers’ Market Assistant Manager 

Status: 20 hours/week year round, part-time, non-exempt

Reports to: Hillsdale Farmers’ Market Board of Directors, under supervision of Market Manager

Compensation: $22/hour, paid at the end of each month 

 

Primary Responsibilities 

Market Promotion
The Assistant Manager is the public voice of the market, responsible for producing the weekly e-newsletter and managing HFM’s social media presence. Other promotional duties include pursuing creative avenues for advertising and assisting with market events.

• Create, format, and distribute weekly e-newsletter: write 500 word article and “Manager’s Corner” intro; source relevant seasonal recipe; update vendor and product lists; format in MailChimp; schedule accompanying social media posts, and send to audience (Wednesdays).
• Maintain consistent social media presence on Instagram and Facebook: create stories, reels, and posts highlighting our market, vendors, and community. 
• Develop and implement advertising opportunities.
• Work with the Board and market staff to plan and coordinate market events, including shopper-facing events, community tabling opportunities, and vendor and volunteer appreciation parties.

Power of Produce (POP) Program
The Assistant Manager is responsible for implementing our POP program, designed for kids aged 4-12. Each week between April-October, kids are offered an activity (educational, tasting, hands-on, etc.) and a chance to earn $4 in “POP Bucks” to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. In 2024, an average of 94 kids participated each market day.

• Plan weekly POP activities April-October (approx. 30 activities/year). Create activity sheets and/or procure necessary materials. 
• Oversee POP volunteers; staff POP Booth as necessary on market day.
• Oversee recordkeeping, e.g., parent permission forms and participant tracking.
• Compile periodic and end-of-season reports for major POP sponsor(s) and Board.
• Evaluate program’s impact using participation metrics, POP Bucks distribution and redemption data, and parent/guardian surveys.

Volunteer Coordination
The Assistant Manager is the point-person for volunteer activities. We rely heavily on volunteers to make the market run smoothly. We have 10-18 volunteer slots available at the market itself, and we have opportunities to help outside market day as well. 

• Manage volunteer email account and listserv; respond to all inquiries in a timely manner.
• Build weekly shift sign-up sheet and distribute to volunteer email list (Tuesdays); follow up before the market (Fridays) to communicate any remaining open shifts.
• Recruit new volunteers and ensure volunteers have necessary training and supplies to successfully complete their duties. Organize periodic volunteer training events as needed. 

Market Day Implementation

• Assist Market Manager on market day, including driving market truck to site (approx. 1 mile); chalking stall spaces; unloading/loading of the truck, and physical setup and breakdown of all HFM equipment. Sunday work hours required: approx. 6am-3pm.
• Assess and maintain market site condition and safety; be available to solve disputes, answer questions, or address incidents as they arise; check in with vendors and volunteers throughout the day, and offer support as needed.
• Perform end-of-day vendor token/voucher count when needed.
• Act as second-in-command on market day; be able to run market solo in the event that the Market Manager is absent.

General Duties

• Create and maintain a market environment and culture that is safe, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive for all participants.
• Ensure that the market is a positive presence in the business district and a good neighbor in the community.
• Assist with product/service research and procurement, e.g., new merchandise items.
• Administrative duties include printing/copying, supply purchases, storage unit transfers, checking mail, etc.
• Attend monthly Board meetings, annual board retreat, and relevant committee meetings as needed. 
• Assist Market Manager with brainstorming, troubleshooting, and major decision making.

Required and Preferred Skills and Experience

• Sunday availability required. Ability and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds while walking, squatting, or reaching; ability to stand for long periods on concrete; ability to climb in/out of a box truck. 
• Current driver’s license with clean driving record and no at-fault accidents in past 3 years required. Willingness to drive a large vehicle (17’ box truck) short distances.
• Regular access to a computer with a reliable internet connection required.
• Experience with social media management for businesses preferred.
• Cash handling experience preferred.
• Bilingual English-Spanish preferred.
• First Aid/CPR Certification (current, or to be obtained within 3 months of hire - HFM will reimburse the cost of Red Cross training).
• Food Handler’s Card (current, or to be obtained within 3 months of hire - HFM will reimburse the cost).

Work Schedule and Working Conditions

Sunday is a required work day for the Assistant Manager, and is spent entirely outdoors (with canopy tents for shelter). Remaining work hours are flexible and largely remote (we do not have an office), though final newsletter editing and sending must be completed on Wednesdays. Social media activity occurs throughout the week.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline