Recreation Leader IV- Events Coordinator at City Of Alexandria Virginia
Alexandria, VA
About the Job
Office of the Arts - Event Coordinator
Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
"Preserving the Past, while Innovating our Future"
The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Recreation Leader IV (Event Coordinator) position.
What we do and how we do it is driven by our 4 Guiding Principles:
The Office of the Arts is a division of the City of Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. The Events & Public Space Activations team (EPSA) creates meaningful experiences in public spaces. Past and ongoing projects include art activations with the Mobile Art Lab, large public gatherings such as ALX Jazz, City Birthday, and the Holiday Tree Lighting, and one-of-a-kind programs for cultural destinations such as the public art at Waterfront Park, Alexandria Library, Alexandria Public Schools, and Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Overview
In pursuit of service excellence, the Event Coordinator (Recreation Leader IV) will work with the Office of the Art’s public programs branch, Events and Public Space Activation (EPSA). You will help implement art gatherings and major events throughout the year from the Waterfront to the West End, while also driving the Mobile Art Truck on a weekly basis.
What You Should Bring
You will be responsible for supporting the Director in the preplanning and implementation of events with the Office of the Arts. Our work resides at the intersection of art and event planning, collaborating with both cultural groups and non-arts organizations, such as science institutions, universities and colleges, civic associations, architecture firms, and makerspaces. You are organized and consistent, serving as the steady beat that keeps the operation moving along. You are ok with spending hours documenting your inventory because you know you will be using that same the equipment at a major event the next day. Scheduling and databases are essential parts of the job.
The Opportunity
The Event Coordinator (Recreation Leader IV) will implement the programming for the Office of the Arts’ Events & Public Space Activation as prepared with the EPSA Director. This includes but is not limited to:
Additional Responsibilities:
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of community engagement and event management; strong commitment to understanding diverse groups and cultures, good knowledge of budget planning and practices; good knowledge of customer service and agility, effective and considerate relationships with co-workers, collaborators, and the public; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
What to Expect:
About the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
The mission of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is to promote vibrant, safe and attractive opportunities through the development of effective and efficient recreation programs, facilities and parks for all citizens and residents to enjoy. The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to meet 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. High School Diploma or GED; one year of experience leading recreational and cultural activities in arts and crafts, sports, games, music, drama cooking, exercise, and field trips. First Aid training; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Start date: October 2023.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Associate Degree and four (4) years of experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree, or advance degree; minimum 2 years administrative, arts management, project management and/or event production experience, or comparable work equivalent. Ability to work independently, or with little oversight in an ever-changing work environment. Excellent interpersonal and writing skills. Attention to detail, ability to prioritize, problem solve, and multitask. Ability to network with artists, staff, community members, and city employees. Ability to work weekends and evenings throughout the year for events, including holidays. Able to move 25+ pounds and self-manage the arrangement and inventory of event equipment and art supplies. Current driver’s license required. You will receive additional city training for driving the Mobile Art Lab (a Workhorse Step Van).
Strong community engagement and event management skills. Strong organizational skills to juggle multiple projects as they develop. Calm and consistent customer service skills during live events and activities. Understanding of the arts and various Alexandria communities a plus. Current driver’s license required.
Notes
This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment.
Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
"Preserving the Past, while Innovating our Future"
The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Recreation Leader IV (Event Coordinator) position.
What we do and how we do it is driven by our 4 Guiding Principles:
- Aligning the work we do with our strategic plan
- Executing against our strategy and ensuring accountability for our results
- Promoting and encouraging a culture of leadership and ownership at all levels of the organization
- Promoting a culture of service excellence, creativity and entrepreneurship
The Office of the Arts is a division of the City of Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. The Events & Public Space Activations team (EPSA) creates meaningful experiences in public spaces. Past and ongoing projects include art activations with the Mobile Art Lab, large public gatherings such as ALX Jazz, City Birthday, and the Holiday Tree Lighting, and one-of-a-kind programs for cultural destinations such as the public art at Waterfront Park, Alexandria Library, Alexandria Public Schools, and Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Overview
In pursuit of service excellence, the Event Coordinator (Recreation Leader IV) will work with the Office of the Art’s public programs branch, Events and Public Space Activation (EPSA). You will help implement art gatherings and major events throughout the year from the Waterfront to the West End, while also driving the Mobile Art Truck on a weekly basis.
What You Should Bring
You will be responsible for supporting the Director in the preplanning and implementation of events with the Office of the Arts. Our work resides at the intersection of art and event planning, collaborating with both cultural groups and non-arts organizations, such as science institutions, universities and colleges, civic associations, architecture firms, and makerspaces. You are organized and consistent, serving as the steady beat that keeps the operation moving along. You are ok with spending hours documenting your inventory because you know you will be using that same the equipment at a major event the next day. Scheduling and databases are essential parts of the job.
The Opportunity
The Event Coordinator (Recreation Leader IV) will implement the programming for the Office of the Arts’ Events & Public Space Activation as prepared with the EPSA Director. This includes but is not limited to:
- Developing and implementing a series of Office of the Arts’ pop-up projects within the City of Alexandria. Locations may be with or near the Mobile Art Lab, as well as various locations such as public parks, city recreation centers, waterfront venues, and additional RPCA cultural spaces.
- Identifying and contacting venues and community organizations for art collaborations.
- Scheduling and project management of multiple programs with varying deadlines.
- Working directly with selected artist(s) to oversee that projects are successfully developed, implemented, and evaluated.
- Administrative management of stipend payments, purchases, rentals, and other expenses.
- Documenting the components for each of the projects through monthly reports and other methods.
- Initiating and fostering collaborations with a diverse range of organizations, arts professionals, and government representatives.
- Collecting onsite information for Lessons Learned meetings with EPSA Director.
- Ensuring on-line presence, database tools and forms are current, accurate, and viewer-friendly.
- Managing administrative tasks, data entry, errands and supply ordering, as needed.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Catalog art projects and collaborators for internal database
- Planning and gathering supplies
- Maintenance and storage of Mobile Art Lab, tools, and projects
- Record minutes for team meetings and Special Event Committee meetings
- Attending daily stand-up meetings and monthly division meetings
- Researching current trends, regional activities, and cultural interests
- Develops short-range plans for use in directing various annual work projects;
- Develops measures for each program activity that indicate the efficiency and adequacy in which the program objectives are being achieved and makes adjustments as required
- Performs related work as required
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of community engagement and event management; strong commitment to understanding diverse groups and cultures, good knowledge of budget planning and practices; good knowledge of customer service and agility, effective and considerate relationships with co-workers, collaborators, and the public; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
What to Expect:
- The Event Coordinator (Recreation Leader IV) is a contracted full-time employee (40 hours) and will often serve as point of contact with contracted artists for events.
- Position reports directly to EPSA Director
- Expectation to be in the field as much as possible during peak seasons, with an hour of set up and an hour of breakdown for each event outing/pop-up program. During peak season, expect about 6 hours (equal to one day) for admin time.
- Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday schedule based on needs of leading on weekend public programs (including nights and weekends).
- Completion of additional assigned projects as they develop each season
- An opportunity to create art programs and new ideas for the benefit of Alexandria citizens and the arts community.
About the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
The mission of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is to promote vibrant, safe and attractive opportunities through the development of effective and efficient recreation programs, facilities and parks for all citizens and residents to enjoy. The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to meet 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. High School Diploma or GED; one year of experience leading recreational and cultural activities in arts and crafts, sports, games, music, drama cooking, exercise, and field trips. First Aid training; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Start date: October 2023.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Associate Degree and four (4) years of experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree, or advance degree; minimum 2 years administrative, arts management, project management and/or event production experience, or comparable work equivalent. Ability to work independently, or with little oversight in an ever-changing work environment. Excellent interpersonal and writing skills. Attention to detail, ability to prioritize, problem solve, and multitask. Ability to network with artists, staff, community members, and city employees. Ability to work weekends and evenings throughout the year for events, including holidays. Able to move 25+ pounds and self-manage the arrangement and inventory of event equipment and art supplies. Current driver’s license required. You will receive additional city training for driving the Mobile Art Lab (a Workhorse Step Van).
Strong community engagement and event management skills. Strong organizational skills to juggle multiple projects as they develop. Calm and consistent customer service skills during live events and activities. Understanding of the arts and various Alexandria communities a plus. Current driver’s license required.
Notes
This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment.
