HELP WANTED: PFPP Events Coordinator

PHOTO: Barbara Barefield

People for Palmer Park is searching for an Events Coordinator!

This is a part-time paid, contract opportunity
(with fun & community engagement!) 
People for Palmer Park is seeking a part-time events coordinator to assist with special events, family-friendly community festivals such as Harvest Festival, and regularly scheduled events, including Log Cabin Sundays and Earth Tones concerts. 
We are seeking a highly organized individual with good communication skills, who has event planning experience and a desire to assist two volunteer committees present great events from spring through the fall of 2024. This is a seasonal job with renewal opportunities. See full job description and event dates below.
Send resume with references to [email protected] by April 15, but sooner is best!
People for Palmer Park is a nonprofit organization that has been revitalizing and organizing programs in Detroit’s Palmer Park since 2012; it is the Adopt-a-Park partner with the City of Detroit.

More details:
Read more about our annual Events and Arts & Culture programs.

Join the People for Palmer Park as our first part-time events coordinator and assist with special events, family-friendly community festivals such as Harvest Festival, and monthly events including Log Cabin Sundays and Earth Tones concerts. 
PFPP seeks an organized, agile events coordinator to work with two volunteer committees — Arts & Culture and Events. Help to recruit day-of-event volunteers, orchestrate details in advance with PFPP liaison(s), assure that events have the resources and are thoughtfully and effectively executed. Experience with nonprofits and major events preferred. Approximately 20 - 30 hours a month, more during major events. See details and job description below.  Send resume and cover letter telling why you are interested in this role by April 15 to  [email protected] 

General Abilities:

• Experience organizing events
  • develop work plans
  • delegate responsibilities and help organize volunteers
  • work with a team
  • implement plans to present the events
  • assist with developing promotion and outreach strategies 
• Process information from multiple source, then follow timeline to achieve goals
• Clearly communicate with committee chairs, members, volunteers and the public
• Help to physically move equipment and supplies, find assistance as needed
• Self-starter; keep track of hours and tasks accomplished 
  
  

Prior to events:

• Meetings with committee leaders and chairs
• In collaboration with PFPP committee leader(s), help to determine project needs. Contact contractors, artists and vendors.
• Follow up with committee members to assure that work is getting done
• Work with PFPP chairs to complete park department and city paperwork as needed
• Communicate volunteer needs to the volunteer coordinator. Assist in recruiting.
  
  

At events:

• Coordinate transporting of owned, borrowed and rental equipment working with volunteers and committee members. Assist in assembling and setting up supplies and equipment. Lead the team to remove and return to storage following the event
• Supervise volunteers on set up, operations and breakdown/cleanup/removal
• Work with committee members to troubleshoot concerns as they come up
• Fill in gaps when needs change or otherwise necessary
• Stay until the end of the event to finish cleanup and breakdown

Post events:

• Report summaries to committees
• Notify of any needed replacement of equipment or supplies or follow-up with contractors
• Help evaluate outcomes (successes and what is in need of improvement and how to achieve best results)
• Work with committees to develop attendee surveys and help evaluate results

Hours:  

• Around 10 - 12 hours a month for the Arts & Culture Committee in May, June, July, August and September, plus another 8 - 10 hours in October. 
• Approximately 30-40 hours per major event (see below) 
• Paid:  Bi-weekly, $25 an hour,  275 hours maximum for year

Dates: 

Must be available to work these dates (some flexibility possible): 

• Log Cabin Sundays – May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15 and October 13;
  Earth Tones concerts — June 1, July 21, August 18 and September 15
• Log Cabin Day, June 30 (major event)
• Freedom Arts Fest TBA in August  (major event)
• Light Up the Cabin fundraiser TBA  (major event)
• Harvest Festival Sept. 21 (major event)