Job Title: Program Director

Reports To: Board of Directors

Employment Type: Contract approx. 30 hrs/week

Compensation: $35,000 per year

About Friends of the Rochester Public Market

Friends of the Rochester Public Market is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the Rochester Public Market. We foster community engagement, support local agriculture and vendors, and coordinate programming that connects people to this vibrant and historic marketplace. We are currently seeking a Program Director to join our team and help advance our mission.

Position Summary

The Program Director manages the Market Token Program for SNAP recipients and Gift Tokens, and provides administrative support to the Friends Board of Directors. The Market Token Program for SNAP recipients has been a national leader in farmers/public market SNAP redemption programs for over a decade. This role includes overseeing daily operations of the Token Center during market days, liaising with vendors, maintaining financial and program records for reports. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and in multicultural settings.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market Token Program Management (approx. 30 hrs/week)

• Manage all aspects of the Market Token Program operations across three Market days, year-round.

• Act as a liaison with market vendors and the city of Rochester Public Market Staff

• Develop, implement, and document procedures to effectively run the Token Center; create a Token Center Manual.

• Identify staffing needs, recommend candidates to the Board, and supervise staff or volunteers at the Token Center.

• Maintain financial records of Token sales and reimbursements; provide monthly logs to the Farmers Market Federation. 

• Provide weekly token reimbursement payments to vendors via online banking.

• Maintain accurate financial records of token sales and reimbursements; submit monthly reports to the Farmers Market Federation.

• Keep the Token Center clean, organized, and well-equipped; order software or equipment as needed.

• Train and support volunteers engaged in the program.

2. Gift Token and Incentive Programs

• Promote, manage, and track the Gift Token Program; maintain monthly sales and redemption logs.

• Participate in the NYS Fresh Connect incentive coupon program; track coupon redemptions and submit them monthly for reimbursement.

3. Staff Oversight and Administrative Support

• Supervise part-time staff, AmeriCorps, Access VR members, or other donated or volunteer help. 

• Monitor and respond to communications via the program email address: tokens@marketfriends.org.

• Make bank deposits and coordinate with the Treasurer to support invoice payments and provide financial data to the bookkeeper.

• Maintain staff agreements and documentation in organized, permanent records.

• Attend Board meetings or submit operational updates as requested.

Qualifications

Required

• Work onsite Tues/Thursday 7:30am-1pm and Saturday 6am-3pm

• Attend monthly Board Meetings as needed

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to interact effectively with diverse and multicultural populations.

• Demonstrated organizational skills with ability to multitask and pay attention to detail.

• Self-motivated and capable of working independently under general supervision.

• Physical ability to perform job duties, including:

• Opening and closing the Token Center

• Navigating the market environment

• Using stairs to access office space

• Lifting boxes up to 38 lbs

• Must pass a background check.

• Must successfully complete a 3-month probation/training period.

Preferred

• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills.

• Experience with SNAP or other food access/incentive programs.

• Familiarity with nonprofit or board structures and reporting.

Key Competencies

• Communication: Clear, professional, and effective in both written and verbal formats.

• Cultural Competence: Ability to work respectfully and effectively in multicultural environments.

• Organizational Skills: Strong multitasking and attention to detail under limited supervision.

• Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying needs, improving processes, and adapting to challenges.

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Works cooperatively with the Assistant Program Director, volunteers, vendors, and other stakeholders.

• Initiative: Shows self-direction, manages time well, and takes responsibility for program areas.