Title: Free Market Assistant -Norfolk
Agency: Tidewater Community College
Location: Norfolk - 710
FLSA: Nonexempt
Hiring Range: $15.75 per hour, part time
Full Time or Part Time: Part Time
Job Description:
Tidewater Community College has served South Hampton Roads – both students and employers – for 50 years. It has grown from 1 campus into a regional educational and economic force. TCC is the largest provider of higher education and workforce services in Hampton Roads, enrolling nearly 25,000 students in 2024-25. Founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System, Tidewater Community College (TCC) services South Hampton Roads with 4 campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, 7 regional centers and 2 important cultural institutions. The college had 3,399 graduates in 2024-2025, 40 percent of whom pursued degrees that would let them transfer to 4-year institutions. Of South Hampton Roads residents enrolled in higher education 33% enrolled at TCC. TCC’s institutional accreditation is affirmed through 2027 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Position Summary:
The Free Market Assistant supports the daily operations of the Free Market at Tidewater Community College, providing direct service to students, faculty, and staff accessing food resources. This role ensures a respectful and welcoming environment, facilitates intake and inventory processes, promotes awareness of support services, and collaborates with volunteers and staff to meet the holistic needs of students.
Functional Responsibilities:
• Welcome and assist individuals accessing the Free Market, facilitating the intake and check-in process with professionalism and empathy.
• Record services provided accurately and maintain confidentiality.
• Assist in developing and placing weekly food orders based on inventory and demand.
• Support inventory and space management by receiving and restocking food deliveries, organizing shelf-stable and perishable items, and maintaining a clean, orderly, and welcoming Free Market environment.
• Maintain up-to-date resource information and actively promote student awareness of campus and community support services.
• Work collaboratively with SREC case managers to ensure students accessing the Free Markets are holistically supported.
• Engage and coordinate with volunteers to support daily operations and enhance service delivery.
• Communicate relevant updates and concerns to the supervisor that may impact Free Market operations, inventory, or student access to services.
• Communicate with the food bank or other external partners as directed by the supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or designee.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Knowledge of effective customer service techniques and the ability to support individuals experiencing personal or academic challenges.
2. Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with volunteers, faculty, staff, and students.
3. Physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. frequently, with prolonged walking, standing, and regular bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching.
Additional Considerations:
4. Knowledge of safety practices and protocols
5. Ability to work independently and organize workload