Decision Sciences Student Association

Ecology Center Job Announcement

FARMERS' MARKET OPERATIONS MANAGER
Full Time (40 hours per week) Salaried Exempt Position

The Ecology Center's mission is to promote environmentally and socially responsible practices through programs that educate, demonstrate, and provide direct services. Each of our programs shares the common purpose of educating the public about environmental problems, injustices, and viable solutions, thus empowering individuals and community groups to work for change.

The Ecology Center operates three Certified Farmers' Markets every week, all year round, rain or shine. The Berkeley Farmers' Markets have a special commitment to support sustainable agriculture and sustainable communities, and to encourage and educate about organic farming, urban agriculture and sustainable living.

Summary of Responsibilities:
The Operations Manager works under the supervision of the Program Manager to oversee Berkeley's three year-round, out-door, rain-or-shine weekly farmers' markets. The Operations Manager is responsible for managing the Tuesday Farmers' Market and co-managing the Saturday Farmers' Market, as well as overseeing the operations of the Thursday Farmers' Market. The Operations Manager is also responsible for creating, printing, and distributing a customer newsletter, collecting and tracking vendor paperwork, creating Farm Fact Sheets for farmers to display, and coordinating vendor attendance, product mix, and seasonal vendor changes. The Operations Manager is responsible for between Market operational procedures on Fridays, and will perform other tasks and projects as assigned by the Farmers' Market Program Manager. The job is Tuesday through Saturday and involves approximately 19 hours at market and 21 hours in the office every week.

Minimum Qualifications:
· One year farmers' market or closely related small business management experience
· One year experience working directly with the public and diverse communities
· Broad knowledge of sustainable food systems and other environmental issues
· Competency with word processing, spreadsheet, database and graphic computer applications in a Mac computer environment
· Strong verbal and written communications skills
· Strong organizational and time-management skills
· Ability to work outdoors in any weather and to lift at least 30 pounds
· Ability to kneel, climb and bend in the routine performance of duties
· Valid California Driver's license
· First Aid and CPR Certification (or willingness to become certified)
· Able to start work by June 2, 2009

The successful candidate will have most of these attributes:
· The proven ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments and situations
· The skills to build the farmers' markets as successful businesses while furthering the Ecology Center's environmental and community mission and to make it all look fun
· 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 "police" and enforce rules with both vendors and the public
· Experience working for and commitment to building sustainable food systems
· Flexibility and creativity, ability to "think on your feet" and find appropriate solutions to unique challenges
· Conversational Spanish fluency

Compensation: Competitive annual salary (DOE), plus medical, dental, vacation & holiday benefits & 401k

To Apply: Submit cover letter, resume, and Ecology Center Job Application form to Ecology Center, Berkeley Farmers' Markets, 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702, or fax to (510) 548-2240, attention: Farmers' Markets, or email to bfm@ecologycenter.org

Deadline to apply: May 5th, 2009 or until filled

No phone calls please

We value diversity. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. EOE/AA Berkeley Farmers' Markets are an Ecology Center Program