Market Associate Position
Position Overview
The Farmers Market Associate is a part-time, seasonal, contracted position responsible for supporting operations of The Dalles Farmers Market. The Market Associate works a schedule of every Saturday from approximately 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. during the market season which begins the first Saturday in June through the second Saturday in October and assists the Market Manager May 1 through October 31.
Start Date: Training date to be set May 1, 2025
Worksite location: City Park, 707 Union St., The Dalles, OR.
Work Schedule: Market Days, Saturdays, 7 hours per week, 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. non-market days TBD
Compensation: $734 per month
Will be trained by: Market Manager and Board of Directors
Reports directly to: Market Manager
Supervised by: Farmers Market Manager and Board of Directors
Primary Duties
- Assist Market Manager and with market set up and take down including tents, tables, weights, signs, merchandise
- Help staff the Manager’s Booth: set up displays, operate point of sale devices for Debit, Credit and EBT transactions; provide excellent customer service; make change, count out tokens and Double Up Food Bucks; sell TDFM merchandise and assist in collecting vendor bags at end of market. Help register kids for the Power of Produce Program and provide tokens when needed.
- Communicate food access programs and market token use accurately to customers and vendors
- Do attendance counts when needed
- Answer questions from vendors and customers at the market, ask for clarification/support when needed
- Ensure organization of market trailer and contents
- Alert Market Manager and Assistant Manager regarding possible issues with any vendor rules, operating procedures, food safety guidelines and other pertinent regulations.
- Run errands as needed for Managers
- Attend monthly Board of Directors meetings, TDFM functions and networking/educational functions as approved by the TDFM Board (eg. Morning Buzz, Annual Potluck)
- Attend OFMA and Gorge Grown functions, meetings and training sessions, as approved by the TDFM Board
- Assist the Market Manager and the Board of Directors in updating Vendor applications and rules
- Assist Grant Writer as needed
- Assist Market Manager with Climate Resilience Plan and activities and do any Climate related duties as indicated by awarded grants
- Ensure all climate mitigation equipment is operating properly and operate said equipment
- Alert Market Manager regarding possible issues with any vendor rules, operating procedures, food safety guidelines, and any other pertinent regulations
- Assist in managing the SNAP Match, POP, and DUFB Programs
- Attend FMF training for current DUFB year as needed
- Tracking # of participants in SNAP, Market Match, DUFB, POP and EBT
- Assess token supply and order tokens as approved by the TDFM Board as needed throughout the market season
- Assist Market Manager with Trailer Maintenance and purchasing of supplies as needed and manage key inventory and locations of items ensuring Market Trailer is tidy and organized
- Run errands as needed for Market Manager or Board of Director member
- Other duties as assigned by Market Manager or TDFM Board of Directors
Qualifications
Required
- Good basic math skills
- Organized, attention to detail
- Friendly, outgoing, good with people, customer service skills
- Can do attitude
- Be able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Experience with point of sales systems, and/or ability to learn technology/apps
- Ability to work Saturdays during the market season
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and pull wagon with 75 pounds
- Be able to work in the heat
- Able to stand for long periods of time
- Creative problems solving skills
- Effective verbal communication skills
- Action oriented and ability to take direction when needed
- Live in the Columbia Gorge
- Have a valid drivers license
Preferred
- Experience in customer service/retail sales
- Conversational level of Spanish language
- Passion for food access and commitment to building an equitable food system
- Training in diversity, equity and inclusion
- Experience working with economically disadvantaged
- Have your own vehicle or access to vehicle
Application Instructions
Submit a resume and cover letter by April 19th to The Dalles Farmers Market at: thedallesfarmersmarket@gmail.com or you may mail your resume and cover letter to:
The Dalles Farmers Market
P.O. Box 105
The Dalles, OR. 97058
In your cover letter, make sure to address any pertinent experience, including professional and personal experiences that are relevant to this position. If you have questions, please contact us at 541-965-3658. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Diversity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status protected by law.
About Us
The Dalles Farmers Market has been operating since 2003. We are a non-profit that connects farmers, artisans, and crafts vendors directly to customers. We are committed to making food more accessible to low-moderate income households, and reducing food insecurity in our greater community. We average about 800-1,000 customers that come to the market every Saturday. There are an average of 28-30 vendors each week at the market. Our focus is on farmers and food vendors, but we also have a variety of crafters and artists at the market, providing customers great options for shopping and buying local.
