Program Specialist II - Events Specialist

**Posting number:** FY27-00045

**Department:** Downtown Services and Special Events

**Job classification:** Program Specialist II - Events Specialist

**Posting type:** Open (External and Internal)

**Categories:** Community Services, Public Relations

Summary
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**One City. Many Events. One Community.**

Are you energized by bringing people together, turning ideas into memorable experiences, and making great events happen? The **City of Wilmington** is looking for an enthusiastic, organized, and community-minded **Events Specialist** to help shape the experiences that bring our downtown and public spaces to life.

As an Events Specialist, you’ll play a key role in **planning, coordinating, facilitating, and administering special events, event permitting, downtown programming, and public-space activations** throughout the City. From community celebrations and cultural events to downtown programming and special gatherings, you’ll help make sure events are **safe, successful, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone.**

The Events Specialist works collaboratively as part of a team and is cross-trained across the department's special events, permitting, programming, and activation functions to provide consistent customer service, maintain operational continuity, and respond to changing departmental priorities. The position requires a flexible work schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and other nontraditional hours, to represent the City and serve as a City liaison during periods when downtown activity extends beyond normal business hours. When necessary, the Coordinator will serve as an evening liaison and City representative, responding to event-related needs, supporting downtown activity, and maintaining communication with event organizers, businesses, residents, visitors, and City departments.

Examples of duties
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* Plans, coordinates, facilitates and manages assigned Citywide and downtown special events, programs, public-space activations and related initiatives from initial planning through completion.
* Manages assigned event permitting activities, including application review, interdepartmental coordination, public notification, documentation, permit issuance, follow-up and customer communication.
* Serves as a primary City liaison to event organizers, festivals, races, markets, community groups, cultural organizations, businesses, residents, vendors, sponsors and other stakeholders.
* Coordinates with Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Parking and other City departments and external agencies to facilitate event and program requirements.
* Provide City representation and liaison support during evening, weekend and other off-hours periods when downtown events, programming or public-space activities are active, including serving as the City’s on-site point of contact, responding to event-related issues, coordinating with organizers and City departments, and addressing operational needs to support safe, successful and well-coordinated activities.
* Develops and coordinates event logistics plans, timelines, site plans, communication plans, operational procedures and other materials necessary for successful event and program delivery.
* Coordinates street closures, public-space use, event infrastructure, temporary services, signage, traffic control, sanitation, public safety and other event-related requirements.
* Assists with the activation and programming of downtown public spaces, including the Riverwalk, alleys, plazas and other designated areas.
* Supports downtown arts, cultural, seasonal, community and placemaking programming and initiatives.
* Conducts site visits and provides on-site coordination, monitoring and troubleshooting for assigned events and programs.
* Monitors assigned events and activities for compliance with City permits, agreements, policies, procedures, ordinances and safety requirements.
* Communicates with downtown businesses, property owners, residents, event organizers and other affected stakeholders regarding event activities, public-space use, potential impacts and City requirements.
* Maintains event calendars, permits, agreements, records, project documentation and other administrative information necessary for effective program management.
* Supports marketing, public information, sponsorship coordination, communications, community outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts for assigned events and programs.
* Monitors assigned event and program budgets and processes applicable purchase orders, invoices, contracts, sponsorships and other administrative requirements.
* Supports and coordinates assigned projects involving downtown programming, film activities, Convention Center initiatives, Municipal Services District activities, downtown business engagement, placemaking and other departmental priorities.
* Provides timely and professional customer service and responds to questions, concerns and requests from event organizers, businesses, residents, community organizations and the public.
* Identifies operational issues, emerging needs and opportunities to improve event processes, customer service, downtown activation, programming and community participation and makes recommendations to the Supervisor/Manager.
* Provides regular project, event and program updates to the Supervisor/Manager and communicates potential challenges, resource needs and recommended solutions.
* Maintains current knowledge of City policies, procedures, ordinances, permitting requirements, event practices and applicable regulations.
* Works collaboratively with the other Events Specialist to maintain continuity of service, share knowledge and support departmental priorities.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
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* Degree from an accredited university/community college in Parks and Recreation, Event Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Community Development, or a closely related field.
* Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in special events, event permitting, parks and recreation, public administration, community programming, downtown programming, or a related field.
* Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
* Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required by assigned events and departmental activities.
* Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.