Position:  Seasonal Market Associate (seasonal, part-time/hourly, non-exempt)

Site: Coverdale Farm Preserve

Schedule: April – November; Fridays 11:30-6:30; Saturdays 9:30-5:30; Sundays 10:30-3:30

Date: April 4, 2025

Mission

Connecting people and nature to create a healthy environment for all through education, conservation and advocacy.  

 Founded in 1964, the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) is a state-wide, non-profit organization that aspires to be inclusive and multicultural, celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity. DelNature delivers hands-on environmental education programming at four sites and throughout the region, in New Castle & Sussex Counties: (New Castle) Ashland Nature Center (HQ), in Hockessin, DE; DuPont Environmental Education Center, in Wilmington, DE; Coverdale Farm Preserve, in Greenville, DE; (Sussex) Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in Milford, DE. We also manage over 2,000 acres of land including four nature preserves. 

DelNature is a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. We envision Delaware as a place where people view themselves as part of nature and understand that nature is essential for life; recognize the immediacy of addressing environmental issues; and take pride and joy in caring for the natural world. 

Position Summary

The Market Associate serves as a front-line ambassador for Coverdale Farm Preserve and Delaware Nature Society.  Knowledgeable and friendly, the Market Associate connects the customer to Delaware Nature Society, Coverdale Farm Preserve, and the many offerings available to them: organizational membership and services, state-wide programming and events, farm grown/raised food, local products, along with farm-based programing and events. 

The Market Associate is responsible for all sales activities and job duties, developing meaningful relationships with customers, providing excellent site-based experiences, demonstrating a strong understanding of the product line, promoting Coverdale Farm Preserve and Delaware Nature Society.

This position reports to: Site Director/Farm Manager

Responsibilities

• Greets and receives customers in a welcoming manner
• Provides excellent customer service and drives sales through engagement of customers, suggestive selling, responding to questions accurately, and sharing product knowledge
• Keeps customers informed by notifying them of new inventory, preferred customer specials and future merchandise of potential interest.
• Demonstrates exceptional knowledge of product line and programming
• Manages financial transactions by processing payments, managing returns, and assisting with daily reporting.
• Assists with inventory, including receiving and stocking merchandise.
• Provides customer feedback to and alerts Market Team of potential security issues in a professional and timely manner
• Keeps Market clean, well-stocked, inviting, and safe for customers
• Ensure all DelNature policies and procedures, including health and safety protocols, are implemented, and always enforced. 
• Promote & support DelNature’s mission, values, goals, activities, and membership to a wide array of audiences.
• Perform other duties as requested by supervisor or leadership staff.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee frequently is required to stand and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and be able to carry, move and setup necessary supplies and equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in program activities in a variety of indoor and/or outdoor settings, weather, and terrains.

Salary and Compensation

Starting hourly rate - $15/hr - $17/hr based on experience. This is a seasonal position.

Qualification and Experience

• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Delaware Nature Society.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to actively engage in a positive and professional manner while interacting and building trusting relationships with customers, visitors, and program participants
• Excellent communication skills with an ease and ability to talk individuals of all ages
• Must possess the following traits and skills: Flexibility, dependability, critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills, work as part of a team.
• Ability to adapt and learn quickly
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with point-of-sale systems
• Basic mathematics and financial knowledge
• Demonstrate accurate and personal knowledge of product
• Must possess the following traits and skills: Flexibility, dependability, critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills, work as part of a team.
• Valid Driver’s License preferred