My wife Cathy and daughter Susie enjoying crepes on opening day of the 2010 farmers market

Renton is seeking a Farmers Market Coordinator to nurture and improve on our already-well-established farmers market. The position is a part-time position which requires a very broad skill-set, including technical understanding of agriculture and markets, promotional skills, event planning, ability to recruit and inspire volunteers, and tact and patience. For the right person, the job could be a lot of fun and very rewarding. Apply at www.rentonwa.gov if you are interested.

Here is the listing:

City of Renton invites applications for the position of:
Farmers Market
Coordinator – Limited Term
An Equal Opportunity Employer
SALARY: $25.37 – $30.87 Hourly

OPENING DATE: 12/22/10
CLOSING DATE: 01/14/11 05:00 PM
UNION AFFILIATION: Non-Represented
DEPARTMENT: Community and Economic Development – Economic Development

BASIC FUNCTION:
PLEASE NOTE: This position is pending Council Approval. The position is currently a part-time
position with a limited term of one (1) year.
Under direction of an assigned supervisor, provide leadership, direction, organization, and
coordination of activities for the Renton Farmers Market in collaboration with volunteers.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

*Act as the Coordinator for the Renton Farmers Market, coordinating with volunteers,
vendors and City staff to ensure ongoing and long-term health of the Farmers
Market. Specifically, these duties include coordinating pre-market planning and postmarket
wrap up efforts and supervising all market functions including soliciting new
vendors, coordinating with local and regional farmers market organizations, managing
market logistics, internal and external communications, managing the market budget,
bookkeeping, volunteer recruitment and support, and maintaining and analyzing weekly
market statistics.

*Work with market stakeholders (vendors, customers, volunteers, Farmers Market
working group, sponsors, Chamber and City) to enhance existing market activities and to
resolve problems effectively.

*Develop and prepare program budgets with volunteer participation; monitor and
manage budgets including approval of expenditures; prepare and submit periodic budget
updates as requested.

*Help secure sponsorships and additional external financial support and coordinate
related agreements and relationships.

*Attend a variety of meetings and serve on City committees as requested; prepare and
deliver formal and informal presentations at City Council meetings and community
gatherings; provide staff support to the City Council, and boards and commissions as
assigned.

*Maintain communication and effective working relationships with City employees,
government agencies, community organizations and groups, and the general public;
coordinate operations with other departments.

*Develop and approve City and Farmers Market website content, features, and
information for areas of responsibility.

*Prepare publicity materials, including newspaper articles, brochures and flyers;
perform other program promotion as needed.

*Attend conferences and training.

*Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to field.

*Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance; work flexible evening and/or
weekend hours as required; ability to travel as required.
Perform related duties as assigned.

*Denotes an essential function.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

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The Sunset Terrace Redevelopment Concept Master Plan is one of several projects that could improve Renton Highlands. This concept and other projects were discussed at Renton City Council Committee of the Whole on Monday night

On Monday night our Senior Planner Erica Conkling gave us an update on Renton Highlands Revitalization Planning efforts. She and her colleagues have been working on a district-wide Environmental Impact Statement for the Sunset Corridor in the vicinity of Harrington Avenue, which will facilitate some attractive and much-desired redevelopment. There are some promising projects already being sketched-out by property owners in this area, and others are more likely to come forward once the EIS is complete. Furthermore, the competed EIS will make it easier for us to obtain grants for public infrastructure improvement in the area and/or make the area eligible for other state-sponsored economic incentives. Ms. Conkling and the team have done excellent work, and the presentation was great. Her Department Director, Alex Pietsch, also assisted in the discussion Monday night. It’s clear that Highlands revitalization remains an Economic Development/Planning Department priority in sync with the City Council.

Here is Ms. Conkling’s presentation from our Monday Committee of the Whole meeting. (It’s a large file, so it may take 30 to 60 seconds to load on your computer)

My daughter Katie and her husband Brandon are expecting their baby in April. (Photo by Katie’s life-long friend Jacqui Sandor)

Cathy and I received some joyful news earlier this autumn. We are going to become grandparents in April, thanks to our oldest daughter Katie and her husband Brandon. At this point they don’t know the baby’s gender, but we expect to find out soon.

The new baby will be the first grandchild on Brandon’s side of the family as well, so baby’s cup will be overflowing with love and attention. (Brandon’s parents have had a busy fall, as they have just opened “Eyes on the Landing” with their partner Evie Lawson.)

The soon-to-be grandmothers, Donna Jones and my wife Cathy. Grandfathers will be me and Bob Jones. The spoiling will begin in April. 🙂