Community Engagement Specialist

Description:

Position Title: Community Engagement Specialist

Reports To: Director of Development

Supervision Requirements: None

Hours: 36 hours per week; with possible schedules Wednesday – Sunday or Thursday – Monday

Department: Development

Locations: San Rafael, San Francisco, Oakland, and surrounding Bay Area communities

Starting Salary Range: $26-$28 per hour

AIM has an exciting opportunity for a Community Engagement Specialist[JS1] to join our team! The ideal candidate will have a sincere interest in our local food system, and experience in customer service, direct sales, public speaking, education, and have an outgoing, positive attitude. This position requires working 5 days per week inclusive of Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The person hired for this position will be responsible for operating AIM's Friends of the Market & Community Engagement tent at the Thursday and Sunday Marin Farmers Markets and the Saturday Grand Lake Market and occasionally another of AIM's farmers markets. The Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for promoting AIM, our programs, and our Capital Project—the Center for Food and Agriculture, to market shoppers, producers, and potential donors, as well as encouraging people to sign up for AIM's monthly giving program, Friends of the Market. The Community Engagement Specialist will run one education event for children and/or one market enhancement event for adults at each market coordinated with the Programs Department. The Community Engagement Specialist will stock and sell AIM Market branded gear. The Community Engagement Specialist will also oversee volunteers supporting community engagement activities onsite. The overall purpose of the activation events is to engage with our communities and draw more attention to our organization mission, values and the future of the organization based on our five-year strategic plan. The Community Engagement Specialist will coordinate scheduling and publicity for all events with the Marketing Department and each Market Manager. Market days include tent set up and takedown. The person hired for this position will receive training on AIM's background and programs and be expected to hold meaningful conversations with community members and market shoppers about said background and programs.

Requirements:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains a friendly presence at the market and acts as an ambassador for AIM and AIM's programs
• Set up and breakdown of the Friends of the Market (FOTM) tent and supplies including the model of the CFA
• Sell & stock AIM Market branded gear, file report on weekly sales by market
• Encourages and assists guests in joining AIM's mailing list
• Assists guests with making donations, ticket purchases
• Manages FOTM supply inventory including replenishment of necessary materials
• Manages / runs one educational program for children each market day
• Manages / runs one market enhancement event each market day
• Coordinates with Programs on events
• Books guests for events
• Promotes AIM, programs and initiatives, including our monthly giving program, Friends of the Market, the Center for Food and Agriculture, AIM's annual fundraiser Gather 2025, and more
• Forges and maintains connections with market goers, market participants, and potential donors
• Assists with Market Tours, Market Listening sessions, and other development events at the Markets
• Works with Development team at AIM's annual fundraiser, Gather, on Saturday Oct 4th, 2025, which will be in addition to or in place of working the market on Sunday Oct 5th, 2025
• Other duties as assigned

BACKGROUND

The Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization that serves 440+ farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from over 40 California counties who participate in AIM's nine certified farmers markets in Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Point Reyes, San Rafael, and San Francisco. AIM provides hands-on agricultural education programs to thousands of children and adults, operates a farm audit program, runs a mobile market for older adults and underserved communities, organizes a beginning farmers market incubator program, and operates CalFresh/EBT and Market Match services to create a healthier, equitable food system across the San Francisco Bay Area. AIM is engaged in state and local food policy work to make sure our actions benefit the land, the people who grow our food, and the health of all communities.

Diversity & Inclusion:

AIM embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 21 years of age or older, must have valid CA driver's license and clean driving record
• Excellent communication, problem solving and organizational skills
• Can think on their feet, take care of multiple tasks in a busy environment
• Excellent customer service skills
• Outgoing, positive personality with a sense of humor
• Excellent punctuality and attendance
• Ability to work weekends and early mornings
• Must have an acute sense of Discretion and maintain confidentiality of AIM's donors and their information

HIGHLY PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• General understanding and/or sincere interest in food, nutrition and farming
• General understanding of AIM and AIM's programs, including the Center for Food and Agriculture
• Experience or interest in a career in nonprofit development
• Experience and interest in Food, Climate, Policy, and/or Environment issues and/or education

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS

This position requires regularly lifting 50+ lbs., when setting up and breaking down the tent, primarily when:

• Unloading and loading of FOTM equipment from/to the truck (tables, chairs, tent, tent weights, A-frames, market signs)
• Setting up and breaking down FOTM equipment
• Sitting, walking, standing, twisting and bending for extended periods of time

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