Common Ground Country Fair and Store Assistant

Primary Responsibilities: Provide administrative support to the Common Ground Country Fair manager and Fair team, manage the online store, lead volunteers on projects such as inventory counts and store maintenance, assist with all tasks and functions related to the Common Ground Country Fair as needed, and ensure the Fair office and the Fair runs smoothly.

Supervisor: Common Ground Country Fair Manager

Work Week: This position is year-round and part-time at 20 hours per week. Hours are flexible, generally Monday through Friday. Additional hours are required leading up to the Fair: starting at 24 hours per week in June and July, 32 hours per week in August, and 40 hours per week will be required for the month of September.

Position: Hourly. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt. The employee is eligible for pre-approved overtime for hours worked over 40 hours per week. This position is eligible for earned paid time-off. This position is eligible for MOFGA’s collective bargaining unit.

Additional Work Hours: Extended hours of operation during the Common Ground Country Fair weekend.

Salary Range: This is an hourly position, with pay at $23.22 per hour. MOFGA has an excellent benefits package, including paid medical, dental and vision insurance, and parental leave. Employees receive a generous paid time off package, including vacation and sick time, three personal days, two week-long office closures, 14 paid holidays annually, and a sabbatical after seven years of employment.

Location: Hybrid. Due to the nature of this position, the individual will be required to be in the office in Unity for some of the work week and every work day in September.

Required Abilities and Knowledge: First-hand familiarity with the Common Ground Country Fair and a passion for the mission and work of MOFGA is desirable.

• Comfort and proficiency with e-commerce platforms, website builder platforms, databases, Google Suite programs, and online organizing; familiarity with Zoom or other online video conferencing tools.

• A demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while prioritizing workload.
• Comfort with working with a broad range of stakeholders including staff, volunteers, and members of the public.
• Clear and professional phone, written, and in-person communication skills.
• Comfort processing credit cards and cash.
• Retail experience preferred, including familiarity using point-of-sale (POS) systems. Previous experience with Shopify is preferred but not required.
• Experience with or ability to learn a range of online programs, such as FestivalPro.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle high volumes of administrative detail.
• Familiarity with MOFGA’s and the Common Ground Country Fair’s sales products.
• Ability to lift and move boxes up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities:

Common Ground Country Fair

• Provide administrative support to the Fair manager. Including, but not limited to, updating applications and contracts and sending confirmation packets.
• Ensure all Fair participant paperwork is completed and all documentation is current and filed appropriately in the database.
• Respond to inquiries via phone and email from the general public, exhibitors, and online store patrons.
• Manage all components of ribbon distribution and inventory for Fair awards. Compile all awards.
• Update participant records and Fair program information in the databases and assist with several database-entry projects.
• Be the exhibitors’ electrical and Wi-Fi request liaison with the fair utilities coordinator and site crew.
• Assist with Fair set-up and clean-up tasks as needed.
• Fair set-up occurs over the two weeks before the Fair. During set-up, extended hours will be needed and office coverage managed.
• During the Fair, attend 7:30 a.m. planning team morning meetings. Be in the Fair office during the Fair assisting the Fair manager and ensuring the office runs smoothly. Hours during the Fair are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m on Sunday.

• Other duties, as required.

Country Store

• Keep the online Country Store website up-to-date.
• Maintain merchandise in good condition and organize merchandise for ease of inventory management.
• Work with the Fair manager on Fair merchandise orders.
• Maintain accurate inventory counts, updating counts in Shopify POS system.
• Fulfill online store orders, process returns, and ship orders (through mail and in person).
• Work with the community engagement coordinator and lead volunteers on projects such as inventory counts and store maintenance.
• Coordinate merchandise for pop-up sales opportunities as needed.
• Other duties, as required.
• Carry out all of the above in accordance with the mission statement, vision, and goals of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

MOFGA’s success is dependent upon the collaborative spirit among its staff members and volunteers. Employees are expected to be ready and willing to assist colleagues in all program areas when directed to do so by their supervisors. This includes having all staff work at the Common Ground Country Fair.