Suffolk Farmers' Market Facilitator

Suffolk Farmers Market Facilitator

Salary

$25.00 Hourly

Location

Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main Street, Suffolk, VA

Job Type

Part Time

Job Number

04605

Department

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-TOURISM

Opening Date

07/29/2026

Closing Date

8/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under general supervision, the Farmers' Market Facilitator position facilitates the weekly operations, logistics, vendor relations, and administrative duties of the Suffolk Farmers' Market and associated events produced by Suffolk Tourism. This role requires up to 29 hours per week, combining administrative tasks during the week with active, on-site facilitation on market days. The facilitator serves as the primary face of the market, ensuring a safe, vibrant, and profitable environment for vendors and shoppers alike. Reports to the Tourism Development Manager.

The Suffolk Farmers Market operates February through early December.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Market Day Operations: On-site attendance is mandatory every Saturday from 7am-3pm for setup, market hours, and teardown as well as at any associated market events.

• Weekday Operations: Weekday hours are dedicated to vendor communication, marketing, administrative items, planning, and outreach.

• Weekly schedule includes Mondays 9am-5pm, Tuesdays 9am-1pm, Fridays 9am-5pm, and Saturdays 7am-3pm. May include occasional travel within Virginia and the East Coast for agriculture or event-related conferences, professional development and/or events.

• Onsite Logistics: Solely responsible for early morning Market set-up, site map/vendor layout/space assignments, enforcing safety rules and market guidelines, and after-market breakdown and clean-up.

• Vendor Management: Research and recruit agricultural and artisan vendors, review applications, collect vendor fees, and ensure compliance with market policies. Maintain vendor database, tracking availability and requests, monitoring product saturation and planning accordingly.

• Book live entertainment, exhibits, food trucks, and family-friendly activities for the Market.

• Marketing and Promotions: Assist with maintenance of the markets social media page, update weekly vendor lists, and coordinate local community outreach.

• Create market programs and weekly, monthly and annual reporting. Maintain records of vendor sales, provide product category breakdowns at end of season.

• Conflict Resolution: Serve as the primary point of contact to resolve vendor disputes and shopper inquires calmly and professionally.

• Coordinate the Markets annual Pickle Palooza event off-site at the Downtown Festival Park. Plan and execute the Annual Artisan Gift Fair in December, as well as any other specialty Markets (i.e. Winter, Thanksgiving, etc.)

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, stand for long hours, and lift up to 40 lbs. (tents, signs, umbrellas, tables, etc.)

• Excellent communication skills to include conflict resolution, customer service, and public speaking abilities.

• Experience with basic spreadsheet creation and tracking, knowledge of various social media platforms.

• Reliable, consistent weekend availability during the market season. Able to work mornings as early as 6:30am and possible evenings as late as 11:00pm.

• Greets and assists visitors promptly; provides accurate information regarding Citys highways, transportation systems, weather conditions, attractions, hotels, etc.

• Projects a positive public image and promotes City of Suffolk attractions, restaurants, and hotels in response to personal, telephone, and email inquiries.

• Receives moneys in payment of registration fees, purchases, donations, or other fees and services; records transactions, issues receipts, prepares bank deposits, and forwards as appropriate.

• Performs general and/or clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, sending/receiving emails, entering data into computer, making copies, filing documentation, processing incoming/outgoing mail, or taking photographs at events/activities

• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, calendars, schedules, attendance records, monthly digital newsletters flyers, mailing lists, sales tickets, bank deposits, payment vouchers, or other documents.

• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, membership lists, invoices, cash and checks, handbooks, policies, procedures, directories, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, Internet, email, or other programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, ink, or toner.

• Communicates with supervisor, employees, docents, volunteers, students, other departments, City officials, local businesses, local lodging/restaurant establishments, community organizations, visitors, local residents, the public, the media, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

• Attends various meetings; represents the City at special events.

• Maintains professional affiliations; participates in training sessions and workshops as appropriate.

• Provides assistance to visitors and customers as needed.

• Sets up, moves, and/or takes down equipment and exhibits as needed.

• Provides assistance with special events produced by the City.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; supplemented by 1 year previous experience and/or training that includes hospitality industry operations, travel/tourism, marketing, customer service, office administration, and computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Requires a valid drivers license.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Suffolk Farmers Market Facilitator.
• Knowledge of principles and practices associated with office administration, customer service, and cashiering.
• Knowledge of local attractions, amenities, services, roads/highways, and other hospitality/tourism resources. Has the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, which includes weekend, seasonal, and holiday work activities.
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department.
• Knowledge and proficiency of computers and relevant software programs.
• Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, policies, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, volunteers, members of the general public, outside agencies, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
• Ability to use mathematical formulas to handle required calculations using percentages and decimals.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret reports and related materials.
• Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data, includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
• Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.
• Ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
• Ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.
• Ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with job related equipment.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits

Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)

Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members

Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.

Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Yearly earnings

120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)

Sick Leave

Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave

All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.

Health Insurance

Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.

Supplemental Insurances

Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.

Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability

Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.

Life Insurance

The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.

Optional Life Insurance

Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.

Funeral Leave

24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.

Holidays

Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty

Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.

457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA

Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.

Employee Assistance Program

Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Workers Compensation

Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmens Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days

Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.

Credit Union

A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.

Legal Services

Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.

Notary Public Services

Services available in the Human Resources Department.

Alternative Work Schedule

For some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.

01

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

03

Which of the following best represents your experience and/or training in agriculture, event planning, agritourism, public relations or hospitality industry operations?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 or more years

04

Which of the following best represents your experience and/or training in marketing, customer service, office administration, and personal computer operations?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 or more years

05

Are you familiar with the services offered by the City of Suffolk to its citizens?

• Yes
• No

06

This position may require working evenings. Are you available to work evenings? Up to and not limited to 5:00pm - 11:00pm.

• Yes
• No

07

This position requires working a schedule that includes Saturdays. Are you available to work weekends?

• Yes
• No

08

This position requires working a schedule that includes holidays. Are you available to work holidays (excluding Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day)?

• Yes
• No

09

On farmers market days, this position requires working early mornings as early as 6:00am. Are you available to work early mornings?

• Yes
• No

10

This position requires working a schedule that includes a combination of weekdays (Monday - Friday) 8:30am to 5:00pm. Are you available to work such a schedule?

• Yes
• No

11

I understand that this position may require the ability to operate a 14 passenger vehicle (no CDL special license required).

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Suffolk

Address 442 W. Washington Street, Suite 1044

Suffolk, Virginia, 23434

Phone 7575144110

Website http://www.suffolkva.us