Union Square Greenmarket Programming and Publicity Assistant

Description

Organization Information 

GrowNYC is a 56-year-old environmental nonprofit organization helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a livable city, one where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. GrowNYC Programs include: 

• Our network of Greenmarkets and the work of GrowNYC Wholesale ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food. 
• We build and support community and school gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, training, grants and more. 
• We provide 70,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment. 

Union Square Greenmarket Programming and Publicity Assistant (Full-time):

Position Summary

The Union Square Greenmarket Programming and Publicity Assistant provides market, administrative, and programming support as part of the Union Square Publicity team to represent and promote Greenmarket’s flagship market and the GrowNYC mission. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, skilled at communications, and can provide high-quality customer service while sharing their passion for cooking, local produce, and farming. This position reports to the Union Square Publicity Manager and Union Square Greenmarket General Manager.

Requirements

Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to):

At-Market Operations

• Contribute to keeping the Market Information Tent clean, organized, and attractive. 
• Provide excellent customer service for shoppers: answer customer questions with knowledge, friendliness, and respect, and educate customers on GrowNYC’s mission and programs. 
• Display, sell, and track Greenmarket merchandise.
• Keep the Information Tent, truck, and market bins presentable, organized, and well-stocked, and coordinate delivery/pick-up of market materials from the office.  
• Assist in addressing and overseeing film shoots at market.
• Manage conflicts and address complaints from customers, producers, and the public while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor. Follow established protocols for reporting and resolution.
• Assist with training and at-market support of site leads, volunteers, and interns at the market.
• Delegate tasks to site staff, volunteers, and interns as needed.
• As needed, process debit/credit, EBT, and other nutrition benefit transactions.
• Other ad hoc duties as assigned.

At-Market Programming and Publicity 

• Help implement at-market programming, including but not limited to cooking demonstrations, book signings, special events, guest tabling events, and educational displays.
• Support set-up and break-down for market programming and events. 
• Help create collateral needed for programming (design A-frames and signage, create social media content, including reels, and print handouts, recipes, and posters).
• Generate engaging and educational social media content about the market by taking high-quality photos and videos of market products, producers, and programming, and writing and editing copy for social media posts.  
• Work with the Union Square Publicity Manager to develop relationships with community partners and stakeholders, including chefs, influencers, farmers, customers, and others. 
• Monitor social media for engagement by responding to DMs, comments, and tagged photos.

Administrative 

• Attend weekly check-ins and planning sessions with the Union Square Greenmarket Leadership Team.   
• Brainstorm and assist in planning programming, as well as social media stories, posts, and campaigns, to promote our producers, seasonal eating and cooking, special holidays, and months and days of recognition. 
• Prepare materials for the market, including but not limited to printing recipes and market handouts, and gathering cooking demo supplies and materials for special events.
• Assist in creating and maintaining a publicity calendar for social media and programming.
• Assist in tracking social media metrics.
• Stay informed about farm, sustainability, and food industry news, social media trends, and happenings within our producer community. 
• Contribute to and monitor @grownycgreenmarket social media feeds, including @unsqgreenmarket broadcast channel, to provide customer assistance and partner outreach. 
• Assist in administrative tasks to coordinate and promote at-market programming. 

Required Qualifications

• Strong writing and communication skills.  
• Creative problem-solver, able to troubleshoot and use good judgment to make on-the-spot decision