Market Coordinator

Title: Market Coordinator

Reports To: Economic Development Manager - Workforce

Department: Community Programs

Location: Oakland, CA

Schedule: Monday through Friday

Travel: Local travel may be required

Role Duration: October 26, 2026 - December 18, 2026

Employee Status: Temporary, Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Union: N/A

Supervises: N/A

Agency Summary

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with an over 60-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.

Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 10,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Contra Costa County. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 300 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

Department Summary

The Community Programs Department offers integrated services to revitalize disinvested communities and remove barriers to equitable economic, career, housing and wellness outcomes for youth, adults, seniors and small-business owners. We serve Oakland and the East Bay through two core service hubs: our Career & Resource Center, which provides workforce development, career pathways and human services referrals; and our Business Assistance Center, which supports small-business development and access to capital. Beyond these hubs, we offer achievement and wellness programs for youth, coaching in employment and financial support, stewardship of low-income properties, and neighborhood revitalization through events, civic engagement, arts and culture, and urban planning. All services are multi-lingual and culturally rooted, designed with deep community accountability and available to Oakland and Alameda County residents based on funding. Through this integrated approach, we ensure all residents and businesses can shape urban development and benefit equitably from economic growth.

Position Summary

The Market Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing vendor participation and on-site operations for the Holiday Market. This role serves as the primary liaison for vendors, managing recruitment, communication, applications, and event logistics to ensure a successful and festive market experience. The coordinator assists with market layout planning, booth space allocation, vendor move-in, and site preparation, while maintaining safety, quality, and presentation standards throughout the event. This position also supports market decoration, volunteer coordination, and real-time problem solving to ensure smooth operations and an enjoyable experience for vendors and guests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Vendor Management & Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all potential and confirmed market vendors.
• Conduct outreach to secure a diverse and festive mix of holiday vendors, artisans, and food stalls.
• Manage the application process, send confirmation details, and distribute market rules and guidelines.
• Respond promptly to vendor inquiries regarding logistics, timing, and requirements before and during the event.

Site Layout & Space Allocation

• Assist in planning the physical layout of the Holiday Market.
• Physically mark out individual booth spaces, walkways, and emergency exits at the venue prior to vendor arrival.
• Guide vendors to their assigned spaces during move-in and ensure they set up within their designated boundaries.

Operations & Quality Assurance

• Perform regular walkthroughs of the market site to ensure everything is correct, organized, and running smoothly.
• Verify that all vendor setups meet safety standards, electrical requirements, and visual guidelines.
• Monitor cleanliness, signage accuracy, and overall festive presentation of the market area.
• Troubleshoot operational issues on-site and act as the immediate problem solver for vendors during market hours.
• Help with the area decoration
• Assist with volunteer outreach to help the day of the Holiday Market.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Bilingual Proficiency: Fluent in both Spanish and English with excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Ability to build rapport easily, practice active listening, and engage with diverse small business owners in a professional and welcoming manner.
• Cultural Competence: A strong understanding of and respect for the local merchant community's cultural background, business norms, and values.
• Time Management & Autonomy: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage part-time hours efficiently, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Outreach Experience: Prior experience in community outreach, door-to-door marketing, customer service, with a proven track record of persuading or inviting people to events.

Preferred

• Skilled in organizing vendors and volunteers: Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage both merchants and volunteers.
• Community Connection: Existing familiarity with the local neighborhood, its merchant corridors, or small business dynamics.
• Event Promotion Knowledge: Basic understanding of event planning, community engagement strategies, or how to explain the mutual benefits of participating in local activities.
• Reliable Transportation: Access to reliable transportation to visit local businesses and shops efficiently during scheduled outreach hours.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able climb stairs, reach, bend, lift 20-30 pounds, crawl, kneel, stoop, twist, grasp materials with hands and fingers, use arms and legs, able to walk, climb ladders if applicable.
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, and occasionally stand and walk;
• Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and other office equipment;
• Close vision required for computer use.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Background/fingerprints
• Reference Checks

This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time.