Market Support Assistant - Temporary

Market Support Assistant

Historic Marion Tailgate Market - Marion, NC

Temporary Part-Time | Saturdays | September–October | $15–$17/hour

About the Historic Marion Tailgate Market

The Historic Marion Tailgate Market is a weekly community farmers market in downtown Marion, bringing together local farmers, food producers, artisans, and community members from across McDowell County and surrounding areas. The market is a gathering place for fresh, locally grown food, connection, and community, and is operated by McDowell Local Food Advisory Council.

The market runsSaturdays from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, May through October, and welcomes hundreds of community members throughout the season.

Position Summary

The Market Support Assistant helps ensure smooth market operations from setup through breakdown each Saturday. This hands-on role works alongside the Market Manager, vendors, volunteers, and community partners to create a welcoming, organized, safe, and enjoyable market experience.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working outdoors, interacting with the public, and being part of a vibrant community market.

Schedule
Saturdays, September–October
Approximately 7:00 AM–1:30 PM, including setup and breakdown.

The position requires reliable attendance and punctuality, as market days operate on a tight schedule.

Responsibilities

Market Setup & Breakdown

• Assist with setup and breakdown of market infrastructure, including signage, flags, tents, tables, chairs, and activity areas.
• Help prepare the market site to be clean, organized, safe, and accessible for vendors and customers.
• Assist with moving supplies and equipment throughout the market site.

Vendor & Customer Support

• Greet and direct incoming vendors and use the vendor map to confirm assigned spaces.
• Staff the Market Info Booth and assist customers with general market questions.
• Support Kids Corner, community seating, and other market activities.
• Assist customers with EBT/SNAP and token transactions as trained.
• Help maintain a welcoming and positive environment for vendors, customers, volunteers, and community members.
• Relay questions, concerns, or feedback from vendors and customers to the Market Manager.

Market Payments & Technology

• Operate Square, TotilPay, iPad, card readers, and other market technology as trained.
• Handle market tokens and vendor deposits accurately and responsibly.
• Assist with organizing vendor token deposits and distributing vendor payments as directed by the Market Manager.
• Follow established procedures for cash, tokens, EBT/SNAP transactions, and other payments.

Other Market Support

• Check in with the Market Manager before each market day regarding the day's schedule, activities, vendors, and special events.
• Assist with children's activities, special events, and other market programming as needed.
• Help monitor the market environment and promptly report safety, maintenance, or other concerns to the Market Manager.
• Assist with other market-related tasks as assigned.

Skills & Abilities

• Dependable and punctual, with a commitment to working every scheduled market day.
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Comfortable with early-morning physical work, including lifting, carrying, walking, standing, and moving equipment.
• Friendly, welcoming, and comfortable interacting with the public.
• Able to follow multi-step instructions and checklists with limited supervision.
• Comfortable learning and using basic technology such as tablets, point-of-sale systems, and card readers.
• Able to handle money, tokens, and customer transactions accurately and responsibly.
• Able to stay organized and flexible when priorities change throughout the market day.
• Interest in local food systems, agriculture, farmers markets, or community food access is a plus.

Compensation
$15–$17/hour, depending on experience.

This is a temporary, part-time position for the remainder of the 2026 Marion Tailgate Market season.