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 Market Manager's Assistant 

Seasonal Part-time: 20 hours/week

May - October 2024

Starts at $22.00/hour

Resumes can be emailed to austintownhall.citymarket@gmail.com

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*Valid drivers license required

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Who We Are: Food is the foundation of good health. Access to fresh, whole, nutrient dense food should be a given for everyone. Unfortunately, for hundreds of thousands of Chicagoland residents it is nearly impossible to find affordable healthy food in their communities. Forty Acres Fresh Market is a grocery startup with the mission to increase access to fresh food in underserved communities while revitalizing neighborhood economies. Launched in 2018, Forty Acres Fresh Market currently operates as a mobile produce vendor through pop up produce markets, fruit and vegetable stands, and residential and commercial delivery service on Chicago’s westside, with a focus on the Austin neighborhood. Forty Acres is currently in a rapid growth phase as we expand our operations with the goal of opening a permanent brick and mortar store in Austin in 2023.

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Who You Are: ​Do you want to be part of building a business that is a catalyst for community change? Do you believe that everyone should be able to get affordable fresh food in their neighborhood? Are you interested in rebuilding neighborhoods that have endured years of divestment? If so then this is the company for you. 

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The Job: Forty Acres has partnered with the city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market (ATHFM). The goal is to leverage the City Market program to provide an engaging farmers market for the Austin community. We are seeking an individual for the role of Market Manager's Assistant. This position reports to and provides administrative, digital marketing support, and operational support to the Farmers Market Manager.

 

Flexibility to attend scheduled community events through the week is needed.  This position is also responsible for capturing market day content (videos and photos) and managing the market's welcome table. The market occurs rain or shine and can require work in inclement weather conditions. The position requires the ability to lift up to 50lbs, to stand for long periods of time, and to transport market supplies and equipment from storage to the farmers market.

 

Hours:

Monday - 4 hours (administrative tasks and digital marketing).

Thursdays - 11 am – 7 pm (market operation)

Flexible - Up to 8 hours (canvassing, community outreach, meetings, other tasks as assigned). 

 

Duties include but are not limited to:​

  • Create a newsletter template and write and send weekly newsletter.

  • Create content (static and video) to promote the market across online channels including Facebook, Instagram, Google, and website on a weekly basis.

  • Full-day attendance on market days (Thursdays 11AM-7PM June 6-Oct 31, 2024). Market day activities include:

    • Assist with assigning vendor spaces at the Austin Town Hall.

    • Assist with Market Day setup and tear down (arranging all banners, A-Frames, welcome table and cooking demo tents, tables, and materials).

    • Assist with enforcing market rules to ensure safety.

    • Oversee attendance tracking for every market day

    • Works collaboratively with market manager, host staff, Austin Town Hall staff, and other City of Chicago staff.

    • Assist with volunteer assignments and potential supervision.

    • Monitor on-time vendor setup and vehicles removal from the market area.

    • Perform vendor weight checks prior to start of the market.

    • Answer questions and resolve problems if the manager is unavailable.

    •  Ensure market day is correctly closed down and return the park to the clean state free of any trash. Enforcing each vendor to remove all their equipment, supplies and debris.

  • Maintain and update the market’s content scheduling calendar

  • In the absence of the Farmers Market Manager attend virtual and in person monthly community and partner meetings.

  • Maintain the upkeep of all market materials (supplies and equipment).

  • Familiarity with the market emergency plan, accident procedures and ability to respond appropriately.

  • Compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

  • Communicate effectively in all modes of communication with FAFM senior staff.

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Requirements 

  • Valid Driver’s License with no history of at fault accident in last 5 years - to drive company vehicles for transporting equipment when necessary.

  • Availability for all scheduled market days

  • City of Chicago food handler’s certificate secured within 30 days of employment

  • Willingness to work in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions, including rain and heat.

  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds 

  • 1-2 Years of event planning/coordination and developing outdoor event layouts

  • 1-2 Years of community relations experience

  • Demonstrated commitment to farmers markets and local food systems

  • Ability to stand for up to 8 hours 

  • Experience driving cargo vans and larger vehicles

  • Strong communication skills, including written and verbal. 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Previous experience working in farmers markets is a big plus.

  • Experience working in Chicago’s Austin community

  • Public speaking experience

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Forty Acres Fresh Market is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

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