Temporary Farmers Market - Market Manager (Program Manager I)

Ecology Center; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 51,000; Part time

Job summary

The Ecology Center Inc. seeks a Temporary Farmers Market Manager to lead, set up, manage and breakdown ecology center's markets onsite. You'll oversee staff, vendors, tokens, and customer service, with office duties on non-market days. This 75% position averages around 34 hours per week and may include telecommuting based on needs.

Reporting to the Program Manager, you will coordinate promotions, agendas, and market layouts across seasons, ensuring compliance and high-quality market operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or three years of related work experience.
• Two years of farmers' market or closely related small business management experience.
• Must be able to produce a current CA driver's license.
• First Aid and CPR Certification or willingness to become certified.
• Deescalation and/or mental health first aid training or willingness to get trained.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Ecology Center farmers' markets including setup, operations, and breakdown.
• Oversee vendor parking, stall fees, token distribution, and info booth staffing.
• Supervise market staff and volunteers on-site and on-call.
• Provide excellent customer service at markets and during post-market tasks.
• Handle deposits and cash procedures within 24 hours of funds receipt.
• Track market activity using logs and receipts for financials.
• Coordinate with Program Manager for agendas and meetings.
• Assist with promotional efforts and event planning for markets.

Skills

Independent work

Vendor relations

Customer service

Policy enforcement

Communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Three years related work experience

Tools

Word Processing

Spreadsheets

Database

Job description

Job Title: Temporary Farmers Market Market Manager (Program Manager I)

Reporting To: Farmers' Market Program Manager (Program Manager III)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Non-benefited, Hourly, Temporary Position

End Date: Wednesday, December 23, 2026

Summary

Temporary Farmers' Market Manager works onsite to lead, set up, manage, and break-down Ecology Center's farmers' markets. In collaboration with the Program Manager and/or the Operations Manager, or alone, the Market Manager provides oversight and instruction to farmers, vendors, other market staff, and volunteers at market. The Market Manager also works in the Ecology Center office, providing operational and administrative support on non-market days. The job involves generally working at least two market shifts per week at approximately 16 hours and 8 hours in the office each week. Additional hours will be worked at the office, at the markets or by telecommuting based on program needs and supervisor approval. This 75% position averages around 34 hours per week.

Essential Duties

• Perform and support all duties related to operating Ecology Center Farmers' Markets in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations, and in accordance with the goals and strategies of the Ecology Center mission and strategic plan.
• Manage the Ecology Center farmers' markets, serving as lead for at least one market weekly, including market set-up and breakdown, vendor parking-in, stall fee collections, signage, load list distribution and collection, info booth set-up and staffing, volunteer coordination, token distribution, and all other market activities.
• Provide on-site supervision of market staff, including Market Coordinators, regular and on- call, youth, and volunteers. Lead market operations onsite.
• Provide excellent customer service through customer interactions including token distribution, selling merchandise, and answering questions.
• Perform post-market duties including deposit preparation and financial tracking, sorting recycling/compost, cleaning soiled receptacles and/or tables, replacing and/or repairing any damaged equipment, restocking merchandise/supplies with a high degree of attention to details.
• Ensure that all market monies received are handled safely following established cash-handling procedures; oversee and assist in the preparation of market deposits within 24 hours of receipt of funds, and prepare change and tokens to be used in the following market.
• Track and report information from at-market tracking documents including market log, token distribution log, and receipt book to keep a reference of the market's activities and financials.
• Perform administrative and office duties related to the market at which Market Manager is the lead. This includes but is not limited to: following up with farmers and vendors' preparing printed materials; coordinating with local businesses, partners, neighbors and others; approving invoices; etc.
• Work with Program Manager to create agenda and attend Community Advisory Committee meetings.
• Work with the Program Manager, Operations Manager, and other Market Managers to determine vendor mix and lead market layout as seasons change.
• Assist the Program Manager in developing and implementing promotional efforts for the Farmers' Markets.
• Work with Program Manager and Events Coordinator to plan, execute, and promote farmers' market events which help meet the organization and program'

goals and mission. This includes liaising with farmers' market staff, farmers and vendors to ensure successful event execution; and assisting with event set-up and logistics on event days.

• Perform general administrative duties including answering phones, responding to emails, attending meetings and events.
• Observe safe operating practices and comply with organizational safety policies including reporting incidents according to our procedures.
• Maintain familiarity with, follow, and ensure staff compliance with all Ecology Center policies and procedures in the performance of daily duties.
• Administrate the creation and publishing of relevant, original, high-quality content for social media platforms both at market and as part of office duties in accordance with our regular publishing schedule.
• Identify and improve organizational development aspects that would improve content (ie: employee training, recognition and rewards for participation in the organization's marketing and online strategies)
• Lead Farmers' Markets tour initiative--from training volunteers to contacting organizations and organizing tours year round focused on specific topics and seasons.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The proven ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments and situations.
• Proven ability to manage on-site and office operations for the farmers' market or similar small business enterprise.
• Competency with word processing, spreadsheet, database in a Mac computer environment and ability and willingness to learn new applications as needed.
• Proven ability and enthusiasm for developing and maintaining relationships with participants including farmers, vendors, customers, neighbors and other members of the public
• Demonstrable ability to effectively resolve conflicts
• The ability and willingness to monitor and enforce policies with vendors and the public.
• Flexibility and creativity, ability to "think on your feet" and find appropriate solutions to unique challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Special Requirements

• Must be able to produce a current CA driver's license.

• First Aid and CPR Certification (or willingness to become certified)
• Deescalation and/or mental health first aid training (or willingness to get trained) Education and Experience
• Bachelor's Degree, or three years of related work experience
• Two years of farmers' market, or closely related, small business management experience

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to:

• Regularly talk or hear up to 10 hours a day;
• Regularly sit, type, and use the mouse up to 7 hours a day;
• Regularly sit and stand from chair up to 20 times a day;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly stand, kneel, climb, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms;
• Regularly lift, carry, and/or move up to twenty five (25) pounds and occasionally lift, and/or move up to 50 pounds;
• Regularly drive a vehicle of approximately 20ft, usually during daylight hours in dry conditions, but occasionally in the evening hours or in wet conditions;
• Regularly stand and walk for up to 10 hours at a time;
• Occasionally climb stairs and/or take elevator;
• Occasionally get in and out of the car up to 6 times a day.

Wage and Benefits:

Starting hourly rate is $31.12 to $37.34 depending on qualifications. This position is not eligible for benefits.

Ecology Center requires a successful background check contingent to hire.