Current Job Openings
- Program Assistant - Produce Prescription
About Us
The Vancouver Farmers Market (VFM) is a nonprofit organization managing a large vibrant farmers market of over 270 small businesses in Downtown Vancouver, Washington. Our flagship year-round market is open on Saturdays and Sundays April - October and on Saturdays November – March and our satellite market is open on Thursdays in East Vancouver June – September. Operating since 1990, the VFM is a hallmark of Vancouver and is well known and respected in the community, welcoming over 500,000 shoppers a year. The Vancouver Farmers Market has a wide range of programming focused on food access, small business development, and youth education.
About Produce Prescription
The Produce Prescription Program supports local agriculture while increasing food security and reducing the risk of diet-related and chronic illnesses for Vancouver Clinic patients. Patients with diet-related or chronic illnesses are screened for food insecurity and enrolled to receive a free weekly box of seasonal produce from local farmers, delivered directly to their door. Each Market Box includes a weekly newsletter featuring farmer stories, recipes, storage tips, and preparation ideas.
About this Position
The Program Assistant will work directly with the Program Manager to administer the Produce Prescription Program. The focus of this position is coordinating the logistics of the program including picking up produce orders from farmers on the market day, tracking inventory, sorting, and organizing produce, and working with the Market Box team of staff and volunteers to pack and prepare boxes for home delivery. The ideal candidate has an interest in farmers markets, local food, farmers, and passion for working towards building an equitable food system.
- Status: Part-time, Seasonal, 8 hours per week
- Schedule: May-June (with the possibility of extending through October), Saturdays 8-4
- Reports to: Program Manager
Duties & Responsibilities
- Pick up produce orders from farmers at market and ensure proper documentation/record keeping.
- Take inventory, sort, and organize produce for packing.
- Work with Program Manager and volunteers to prep and pack produce boxes for delivery.
- Work with our delivery contractor to facilitate produce pickup for home delivery.
- Provide excellent customer service to all farmers and delivery drivers.
- Ensure proper cleaning and sanitation of program equipment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and with a team towards a common goal.
- Ability to clearly communicate with staff, volunteers, farmers, and delivery drivers in a kind and professional manner.
- Basic understanding of food safety and ability to obtain Washington Food Handlers Card.
Physical Demands
- Repetitive lifting and/or carrying 50lb+ bins of produce safely including up and down stairs.
- Frequent standing and walking.
- Frequent bending, twisting, and reaching.
- Ability to work on Saturdays.
- Ability to work in variable weather conditions.
Additional Desired Skills & Experience
- Preference will be given to candidates who are Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Preference will be given to candidates who can commit to working every Saturday March-June.
- Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of community food systems, farmers markets, and the impact of food access initiatives on underserved populations.
The Vancouver Farmers Market is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified individuals in accordance with the law without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, political opinion, sex, national origin, familial status, mental and physical disability, gender identity, source of income, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in all personnel actions including recruitment, evaluation, selection, promotion, compensation, training, and termination. We will provide reasonable accommodation unless it creates an undue hardship on the operation of our organization. Any applicant needing reasonable accommodation should notify us as soon as possible.