Market Assistant

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Farmers & Makers Markets | Calgary Earth Market Society (CEMS)

Calgary, AB | Part-Time, Seasonal | $15.00/hour

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About Us

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Established in 2018, the Calgary Earth Market Society (CEMS) is a non-profit society operating the Farmers & Makers Markets — a weekly Saturday outdoor market at cSpace. Our markets connect more than 90 local farms, food producers, craft artisans, and over 50 local artists with Calgary's urban communities, contributing to a resilient local food system, a circular economy, and vibrant, connected neighbourhoods.

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The Opportunity

 

CEMS is looking for an enthusiastic and reliable Market Assistant to join our market team on a part-time, seasonal basis. This is a fantastic opportunity for a student or emerging professional who wants hands-on experience in farmers market and community event operations.

 

Reporting directly to the Market Manager, the Market Assistant plays a key supporting role on market days — helping ensure smooth setup, a welcoming environment for vendors and visitors, and a well-documented market experience. This role is ideal for someone who is energetic, people-oriented, and eager to contribute to their local food community.

 

Place of Work & Compensation

 

• Part-time, seasonal position up to 30 hours / weekly

• $15.00/hour

• Primary commitment is Saturdays during market season (approx. May – August), with shifts running approximately 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

• Additional hours will be assigned for market admin and projects

 

Key Responsibilities

 

The Market Assistant's primary focus is supporting seamless market season and day of operations under the direction of the Market Manager. Key responsibilities include:

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Site Setup & Teardown

• Assist with set-up / tear down of market infrastructure, and marking out of vendor locations prior to vendor arrival

Vendor & Visitor Support

• Support the Market Manager in conducting routine vendor and venue audits to ensure compliance with permits, market standards, and bylaws

• Assist vendors with load-in/load-out and stall setup, providing friendly and efficient direction

• Serve as a welcoming point of contact for vendors, visitors, artists, community booth participants, and partners

Volunteer Coordination Support

• Work alongside the Market Manager to direct, oversee, and support market volunteers

• Help orient new volunteers and ensure all team members understand their roles for the day

Content Capture

• Capture market day moments through photo and video to support social media, marketing, and organizational archives

• Ensure photos represent the diversity and vibrancy of vendors, visitors, and programming

General Market Support

• Perform other duties as directed by the Market Manager to ensure a successful market season.

• Maintain a positive, professional, and energetic presence throughout the market season, acting as an ambassador for CEMS and the Farmers & Makers Markets

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Skills & Attributes Required

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• Positive, high-energy attitude with a genuine interest in local food, community, and small business

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills — friendly, approachable, and professional with a wide range of people

• Ability to take direction, work independently when needed, and thrive in a fast-paced, outdoor environment

• Reliable, punctual, and accountable — this role is essential to market-day success

• Comfortable being on your feet for extended periods and performing physical tasks such as lifting/moving up to 50 lbs

• Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions (sun, rain, and yes — Calgary snow)

• Collaborative team player who communicates clearly and proactively

 

Qualifications

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• Currently enrolled in or recently completed a post-secondary program (any field welcome — event management, marketing, communications, hospitality, agriculture, arts, and related fields are an asset)

• Prior experience in a customer service, community service, hospitality, retail, or special event environment (paid or volunteer)

• Commitment to and alignment with the values of CEMS: community, local food, sustainability, and inclusion

• Basic First Aid, ProServe, and/or Food Safety Certification are considered assets (support for obtaining certification may be available)

 

Nice to Have Skills

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The following skills are not required but would make you a standout candidate and may open up additional responsibilities:

 

• Social Media

• Experience creating content for Instagram, Facebook, or similar platforms

• Ability to capture and post timely, engaging market day content

• Familiarity with scheduling tools such as Meta Business Suite

• Graphic Design

• Proficiency in Canva, Adobe Express, or similar tools for creating market promotional materials

• Ability to produce event graphics, vendor spotlights, or digital signage

• Web & Digital

• Basic familiarity with website platforms (Wix, Square, or similar)

• Comfort with updating web content such as event listings, vendor pages, or blog posts

• Experience with email marketing tools (Mailchimp or similar) is a bonus

• Photography

• A good eye for candid, documentary-style photography that captures the energy of a busy market

• Basic photo editing skills (Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, or similar

 

How to Apply

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Please email a brief cover letter describing why you want to join the Farmers & Makers Market team, along with your resume, to: farmersmakersmarket@gmail.com

 

Include 'Market Assistant Application' in the subject line. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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This is a Canada Summer Jobs Position and a such must meet the following criteria:

 

 To be eligible, youth must:

be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period

be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment and have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

 

We thank all applicants for their interest; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

CEMS values diversity and inclusivity, and strongly encourages women, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, racialized persons, and Indigenous Peoples to apply.