Farmers' Market Assistant

Village of Oak Park; Oak Park (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a part-time administrative support role to assist the Farmers’ Market Manager. You will help with bookkeeping for sales and inventory, vendor coordination, and day-to-day market operations during market days.

Responsibilities include setting up banners and booths, answering vendor inquiries, and ensuring compliance with market rules. This is a part-time contract position with weekend or weekday shifts as scheduled.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with open-air market operations.
• Experience delivering excellent customer service.
• Understanding of bookkeeping basics and POS transactions.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and local market regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist Farmers’ Market Manager with daily operations and reporting.
• Arrange banners, setup tables, tents and signage for market days.
• Maintain supplies, equipment and inventory for the market.
• Answer questions and resolve issues from vendors and the public.
• Open market at designated times and ensure vendor spaces are ready.
• Monitor market activities for rule compliance and cleanliness.
• Close market operations and secure equipment and facilities.
• Assist in inventory reconciliation and purchasing decisions.
• Support accounting and grant reporting efforts as needed.
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills

Customer service

Bookkeeping

Vendor relations

Regulations knowledge

Communication

Lifting 50 lbs

Job description

Department: Health

FLSA: Non-Union Non-Exempt Pay Band: G-GS Seasonal

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To provide administrative support to the Farmer’s Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This is a part-time contract position.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Farmers’ Market Manager and the Health Director.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

Farmer’s Market

• 1. Assists in maintaining the bookkeeping and petty cash system and records related to merchandise sales, the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and wireless processing of sales through the merchant services device; at the direction of the Farmers’ Market Manager provides periodic reports and accounting for sales, grant reporting and inventory.
• 2. Arrange banners, merchandise, barricades, canopies and table set up.
• 3. Maintains and distributes necessary supplies and equipment.
• 4. Answers questions and resolve problems as they arise.
• 5. Opens the Market for vendors by the established time; assures that parked cars are removed; opens storage facilities; sets up the information booth, tent and tables; sets up bag stand, chairs, bulletin board, sales stock; check all scales; issues signs and name tags to vendors.
• 6. Ensures that Market day activities are implemented efficiently, surveying vendors to monitor rule compliance, ensures that the grounds are clean and free of debris, manages grievances of buyers and sellers, ensures that the appropriate first aid equipment is available, handles lost and found items, assisting vendors as needed and manages all aspects of the information booth at the Market.
• 7. Ensures that the Market day is efficiently closed down, enforces closing time and secures equipment, facilities and materials.
• 8. Assists in the accounting and reconciliation of the inventory of Farmers’ Market merchandise.
• 9. Assists in the purchasing of merchandise as needed.
• 10. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics of open market environments.
• Methods and techniques for delivering outstanding customer service.
• Principles of bookkeeping or accounting.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations regarding the sale of perishable and non- perishable food items and Market-related merchandise.

Ability to:

• Interpret and explain Village ordinances and regulations related to the operation of the Farmers’ Market.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, the public, Village of Oak Park managers and members of the Farmers’ market Commission and others contacted in the course of work.
• Lift and carry materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• Making observations
• Communicating with others
• Reading and writing
• Operating assigned equipment

Sustain cognitive abilities that enable the potential for:

• Making sound decisions
• Demonstrating intellectual capabilities

Collaborate with community partners to curate appropriate sustainability and health programming for market customers and Oak Park residents.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience

Demonstrated responsible community experience including familiarity with the Village of Oak Park Farmers’ Market or similar open-air markets.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting and carrying materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time.

Diversity Equity & Inclusion Statement

The Village of Oak Park commits itself to diversity, equity and inclusion by recognizing that creating a mutually respectful, multicultural and equitable environment does not happen on its own, it must be intentional. This includes providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, military or veteran status or any other characteristics.