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Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.
Department:GG_Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: Cultural Operations
Salary Range Minimum:$17.89
Salary Range Maximum:$27.91
Closing Date:07/24/2026
Job Details: The Events Coordinator plans, coordinates, and implements a variety of cultural arts and community events for the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. This position serves as the lead coordinator for the nationally recognized Downtown Festival & Art Show and the City’s holiday celebrations, while providing key operational support for the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, gallery receptions, and other cultural events throughout the year. Responsibilities include event planning, artist and vendor coordination, logistics, volunteer management, contract administration, budget oversight, marketing coordination, and on-site event operations. The position works collaboratively with City departments, community partners, sponsors, volunteers, artists, performers, and the public to deliver high-quality events that enhance Gainesville’s cultural vitality and visitor experience.
Job Description:
SUMMARY
Para-professional and administrative work directing, planning, and implementing a variety of high quality, exciting and innovative City special events and programs.
Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on development and administration of special events.
EXAMPLES OF WORK*
*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower level duties may be required.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Develops financial support and marketing programs for specials event and cultural programs.
Prepares event budgets, monitors monthly results, and accounts for all funds raised and spent.
Designs publicity campaigns. Represents City before citizen’s groups.
Coordinates, directs, plans, and implements events programming.
Coordinates departmental and City-wide marketing and public relations for events by preparing press releases, appearing on radio and television programs making presentations to community groups, and securing advertising.
Develops advertising and marketing materials, including print/digital ads, posters, flyers, programs, etc.
Develops or acquires event materials, including brochures, newsletters, handouts, posters and programs.
Obtains permits for banners, noise, parades, and temporary street closing.
Prepares, maintains, coordinates, and accounts for grants and agreements in compliance with local, State, and Federal policies and procedures required for the receipt of grant funding.
Manages the contacting and contracting of all event participants and artists including negotiation of all requirements and technical specifications, administration and monitoring of contractual agreements between vendor agencies and operational components. Liaising with the applicable venues to ensure that the requirements and technical specifications are met.
Prepares related reports and statistical data.
Recommends selection, promotion, discharge, and other appropriate personnel actions. Participates in employee training.
Works with City departments, the general public, and local organizations in planning and presenting events.
Recruits, organizes, and supervises volunteers for special events and other functions.
Assists in preparation and tracking of annual budget.
Supervises, plans and coordinates work of subordinates.
Attends work on continuous and regular basis.
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
May act in absence of supervisor.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Public Administration, Public Relations or related field and two (2) years events experience of progressively responsible marketing, fund raising experience to include one (1) year of managing volunteers; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Prefer event or festival coordination experience in the Arts, Music, and Theatre.
Computer software (Adobe Photoshop in Design, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Access and Excel) experience highly desired.
CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES
Licenses
A valid United States Driver License is required on appointment. Valid Florida Driver’s License required within thirty (30) days of start date.
Certifications
American Red Cross certification (or equivalent) in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid is required upon hire.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of special events and local resources.
Knowledge of principles, objectives, and goals of municipal community special events.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public relations and fund raising.
Knowledge of operations, functions, and scope of authority of City departments and offices as related to handling of requests for special events.
Knowledge of governmental budget procedures.
Ability to recruit, coordinate, train, and supervise volunteer staff.
Ability to plan, direct and supervise work of others.
Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to lead and to secure the confidence and cooperation of participants in special events, programs, and presentations.
Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by the ability to interact collaboratively and productively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including elected and appointed government officials, Charter Officers, City employees, representatives of other agencies, volunteers, vendors, artists, sponsors, financial supporters, the media and the general public.
Knowledge of computers and relevant software.
Ability to raise funds and obtain donations.
Ability to develop and implement marketing and public relations programs.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions, including the ability to lift, carry, push or pull fifty (50) pounds without assistance.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Required to attend meetings and community events outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
May require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic and environmental conditions.
Note:
May Require Assessment(s).
May fill multiple positions.
May establish an eligibility list.
Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.
All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.
Equal Opportunity
The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.
If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at HR@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-334-5077.