New Roots Farmers Market Specialist

Job Description

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC has been resettling refugees in Sacramento, California, for over 30 years, providing reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office resettles over 700 refugees per year and provides numerous supplemental programs to assist refugees and IRC clients from their arrival and beyond.

IRC’s New Roots program in Sacramento is designed to assist refugees in reestablishing their ties to the land, celebrate their heritage, and nourish themselves and their neighbors by planting strong roots in their new communities. Through community gardening, nutrition education and small-business farming, New Roots provides refugee farmers with the tools and training they need to grow healthy and affordable food and become self-sufficient. Across a network stretching from New York to Oakland, refugees are revitalizing urban spaces, sharing their farming know-how with their new neighbors and providing healthy, fresh food to their families and communities.

Job Overview: Through the New Roots Program, the IRC provides refugees with resources and training to support small business farming, community gardening, and nutrition education. The Farmers Market Specialist is primarily responsible for working alongside the Farm Coordinator to keep the New Roots farm in working condition to suit the needs of the farmers, community gardeners, and members of the public who access programming at the farm. The Farmers Market Specialist works in coordination with the rest of the New Roots team to determine work priorities on the farm. As such, the Farmers Market Specialist must be able to work effectively as part of a team, but also be self-directed to complete projects independently including coordinating farm markets both at New Roots farm plots and within the community. Run and oversee produce sales and coach farmers to effectively bring produce to market.

Major Responsibilities:

Performs market setup and breakdown, sales tracking, outreach to new customers/sales outlets, general maintenance, repair work, and small building projects at IRC Sacramento’s New Roots farm in West Sacramento.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

· In coordination with New Roots team and with possible help from interns or volunteer groups, completing small building and repair projects, such as building a small storage shed, repairing a hoop house, etc.

· Outreach to local stores, vendors, and farmer’s markets

· Maintaining farm stand and setting up tables, tents, and produce.

· Tracking of sales through farmstand and farmer’s markets, regular reporting in coherent reports to Program Manager.

· Teaching farmers about customer interactions, sales tracking techniques, and reporting requirements for farmer’s to independently run farm stands.

· Developing training materials and tracking attendance for farmer’s market trainings.

· Operating equipment such as power mowers, weed eaters, and garden edgers to cut grass, trim shrubbery, and edge walkways

· Review produce quality and ensure farm production as required by New Roots programs.

· Implement quality food safety protocols with local farmers and volunteers

· Working with the farmers to support their plots as needed

· Working with volunteers and interns to complete any of the above projects, as coordinated with rest of New Roots team and Volunteer Coordinator

· Coordination with the New Roots team in a fast-paced team environment to ensure local community gardens and other programs are completed as intended

· Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engages as a member of the team

· Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency

· Other related duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: New Roots Program Manager Position directly supervises: N/A

Indirect Reporting: N/A

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: New Roots Market Specialist; New Roots Outreach & Education Specialist; Volunteer Coordinator; IRC volunteers or interns

External: New Roots farm and garden program participants

Job Requirements:

· No specific education is required for this position however the candidate should have a minimum of 2 years of direct experience performing similar duties which may include: previous work on a farm or nursery, experience maintaining parks or other landscaping experience, etc. Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture/Horticulture, Marketing, or Environmental Sciences, Community Development, Communications, or related field or who have recently completed a degree are also welcome to apply;

· Demonstrated understanding of gardening skills and community garden operations; demonstrated experience maintaining and repairing farm and garden equipment is desirable

· Demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse community members

· Strong organizational skills including: prioritizing, planning, and effective time management

· Strong communication skills, ability to communicate with limited-English speakers and community partners;

· Fluency in written and spoken English, with bilingual ability preferred including (Spanish, Ukrainian, & Dari)

· Ability to safely lift light loads (35 lbs.) and physically demonstrate use of farming techniques and tools

Working Environment:

· This position takes place partially at the IRC New Roots farm in West Sacramento, as well as farmer’s markets in the Sacramento area. This means the working environment is outdoors in all weather. Applicants must be able to work and perform physically demanding tasks outdoors in heat, cold, and rain.

· Applicants must be able to lift around 40lbs.

· Applicants must have a means of transportation to get to and from the New Roots farm in West Sacramento and other farmer’s markets around the greater Sacramento area.

· FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

#LI-GR1

Qualifications