April 9th, 2012
Call for Qualified Applicants:
The Downtown Action Team (DAT) and the Downtown Growers’ Market (DGM) are accepting applications for a part-time Market Manager position for the 2012 Downtown Growers’ Market summer season. Applicants with experience in Event Planning & Management, Permitting, Vendor Management, Fundraising, Budgeting, Marketing, Public Relations, Volunteerism and Community Engagement are invited to apply between April 6th and April 20th. See instructions at the bottom of this document.
In addition to the Job Description outlined below, we are looking for a qualified applicant who possesses the following skill sets:
- Excellent people skills — friendly, outgoing, tactful;
- Project management and oversight; highly organized;
- Understands the diverse challenges confronting small farmers;
- Resident of greater Albuquerque/Bernalillo (preferred);
- Farming and gardening experience (a plus);
- YOU MAY APPLY IF YOU ARE A VENDOR AT THE MARKET!
Program Information:
The Downtown Growers’ Market is Albuquerque’s largest outdoor summer growers’ market located in Robinson Park at 8th & Central Ave. The 16th annual market season will kickoff on May 19th and run through November 3rd on Saturdays from 7AM to 11AM, for a total of 25 weeks. The market is host to 100 vendors each week, comprised of 60 fresh produce farm vendors, 20 prepared food vendors and a total of 40 craft vendors that share 20 booth spaces on alternating weekends.
The goal of the Downtown Growers’ Market is to provide a highly unique and valuable experience for all participants and continue to be a must-visit attraction for both locals and tourists. We serve the public as an economic and community development program of DAT focused on promoting and sustaining local agriculture and area farmers.
Market Manager Job Description:
The primary duty of the Market Manager will be to ensure the operational success and sustainability of the Downtown Growers’ Market. This includes any pre-season duties as listed below, a commitment to punctual arrival at 6:00am every Saturday to set up the market, and the fulfillment of all post-market activities.
The selected applicant must commit to organizing and attending all 25 market days and personally be present at all times to ensure the highest quality experience for both the customers and the vendors. Additionally, the new manager will be required to organize and attend a minimum of 4 vendor meetings, 3 to 5 on site special events and 3 to 5 off-site fundraising events. Weekly reporting of all market activities, merchandise sales, customer and vendor input and issues will take place on the Monday or Tuesday after the market with DAT staff. The Market Manager will work closely with DAT Deputy Director to finalize the schedule of all meetings and events prior to season kickoff.
A key priority for the network of citywide Albuquerque markets and our individual farm vendors will be the timely processing of SNAP EBT transactions and reimbursements. SNAP EBT is the federal food assistance program that provides low income families with access to fresh produce. Each week, market vendors collect EBT wooden tokens and redeem them at the end of the market day. Attentive accounting for all tokens must take place at the close of market and a report of all EBT transactions will be sent to the program accountant every Monday for immediate reconciliation.
The Market Manager will be contracted by, and report to, the DAT staff and when necessary, the DAT Board of Directors. The Market Manager is the primary conduit of information between the vendors and DAT and should be readily available to receive and deliver key information between both parties.
It cannot be stressed enough that the DGM prides itself in creating a unique “neighborhood” environment and experience for both patrons and vendors. The perfect applicant will embody the friendly, family atmosphere found at the market, and the necessary organizational and interpersonal skills to interact with both customers and vendors in a courteous, patient manner. A positive outlook and attitude are essential.
Essential Pre-Season Event Organization:
The Downtown Growers’ Market often requires two months of preliminary organization and planning to ensure all essential approvals, permits and infrastructure is in place prior to the season opening. In 2012, however, much of this work will already be completed by DAT staff in advance of the hiring of the Market Manager. These duties include the following:
- Attend the annual New Mexico Farmers Marketing Meeting in Santa Fe;
- Contact all necessary City of Albuquerque divisions and obtain the necessary permits to conduct the event in a public space;
- Work with DAT staff and DGM vendor advisory committee to determine an annual budget for the upcoming season;
- Contact all previous year vendors and notify them of key dates, paperwork requirements and process registration/applications for the upcoming season;
- Contact adjacent neighborhood associations to let them know the dates of the market;
- Process all produce and prepared food vendors with the Environmental Health Dept;
- Order any essential infrastructure items, such as barricades, portable toilets, fire extinguishers and other necessary items;
- Contact the State EBT office to ensure we have all the latest information, equipment and processed all vendor information for those who sell qualifying products;
- Meet with each vendor category (Produce, Prepared Foods, Arts/Crafts) to review rules/regulations, booth location, budgets, fees, etc…
- Meet with city Parks & Recreation department at Robinson Park to determine the condition of the park and a plan for ongoing maintenance;
- Assist with early season fundraising, marketing, event planning, outreach and other preliminary planning activities;
Primary Day-Of Market Event Functions:
Operations Management – Assist DAT Ambassadors, volunteer and farmers in preparing the site on market days; facilitate vendor arrival and setup; handle vendor and shopper comments/feedback/complaints; ensure site cleanliness and safety are maintained; enlist assistance from DAT Ambassadors and volunteers for administrative assistance as needed; evaluate new programming and promotional opportunities; ensure site is cleaned after closing and make note of any park or event issues.
Vendor Management – Arrive at 5:45/6:00am to welcome and greet vendors; assist when possible with vendor unloading and setup; keep records of number of vendors days and ensure vendors have their proper permits and have paid vendor fees; make sure all vendors are set up for sales by 7:00am; enforce DGM Vendors Rules & Regulations and bring known issues to the attention of DAT and advisory committee.
Financial Management – Work with Sam Lopez and volunteers in the operation of Debit/EBT transactions and WIC check processing; after the market, prepare the accounting worksheet for Monday reconciliation; distribute payments to Sam and token donations to weekly volunteers; work with Albuquerque Growers Market Alliance and the Alliance book keeper to ensure a quality EBT program.
Special Events – Working with DAT staff and ambassadors, assist in the facilitation of exceptional food related promotions that take place at the Market.
Community & Public Relations – Function as a spokesperson for the Market and liaison for DAT; assures the Market and its mission, programs and services are consistently presented in a professional and positive manner; identifies, encourages and maintains stakeholder relationships; keep in contact with local media outlets and provide regular updates; update Facebook, twitter and other appropriate social media; work with DAT staff on a creating a comprehensive marketing campaign (DAT staff will implement any media buys, design, printing and distribution)
Other - Facilitate and handle any other needs relating to the Growers’ Market that may arise on a time to time basis; work with DAT staff to address new issues and streamline market administration whenever possible; work with vendor advisory committee on new developments and longer term strategies.
Salary & Incentives
Base Salary Range: $14,000 to $17,500
Salary will be based upon experience and scope of additional skill sets:
Additional skill sets include:
- Proficiency in a variety of software including word, excel, publisher, constant contact or similar email programs and website management;
- Graphic Design skills and software including Adobe Photoshop, In-Design & Illustrator;
- Experience in writing and procuring grants;
Interested applicants are required to follow these steps:
Mail, email or hand-deliver to DAT a document which includes:
- Your name, street address, email address and phone number;
- Letter of introduction and a current resume;
- Your response to the following questions:
Q) What knowledge or experience do you have with the Downtown Growers’ Market?
Q) As Market Manager, what will you do operationally, and as the “face” of the Market, to bring our mission statement to life and to make our mission real?
Q) What about your background and experiences will enable you to do this?
Please submit all documents or questions to:
Christopher Goblet
Downtown Action Team
100 Gold Ave. SW #204
(505) 243-2230 x 107
Albuquerque, NM 87102
cgoblet@DowntownABQ.com
