Events Specialist

Job Title:  Events Specialist

Reports to:  Events Director

Classification:  Full Time, Regular, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $16-18/hr

Schedule: Many evenings and weekends, schedule varies based on events calendar; ~40 hours a week

Benefits:

• Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, and vision
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and personal days)
• 7 paid holidays off
• Paid snow days during severe weather
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling and support services
• Simple IRA with a 3% match for retirement savings
• Additional KNC specific benefits

The Kalamazoo Nature Center (KNC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create relationships and experiences that welcome and inspire people to discover, enjoy, value, and care for nature. Recognized by its peers as one of the top nature centers in the country, the Kalamazoo Nature Center is located on 1,500 acres of wooded, rolling countryside and includes over 15 miles of hiking trails winding through some of the most magnificent habitats in Michigan.

Because we value the strength diversity brings to the workplace, the Kalamazoo Nature Center is committed to the recruitment, retention, and development of a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Position Overview:

The Events Specialist for KNC assists in the planning, organization, and execution of a wide spectrum of internal and external events, rentals, and facility usage. Additionally, the Events Specialist will assist in organization-wide public special events. These visitor focused experiences are an important way KNC delivers on our mission to connect people with nature.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in planning and implementation of KNC special events (examples include but are not limited to: Members Night, Maple Sugar Festival, Earth Day etc.) including supporting set-up, day-of activity, and tear-down
• Actively participate in departmental and all-staff meetings
• Attend and participate in meetings internally and externally as assigned by the supervisor
• Promote rental benefits
• Manage event volunteers and interns when needed
• Provide support to the Events Director and ensure continuity of team operations during their planned or unplanned absences
• Respond quickly to email, calls, and voice mails
• Reference and use templates, price guides, rental tracker, and KNC’s website
• Ask questions and customize response to client’s needs
• Assist in booking events and rentals, noting each on appropriate KNC calendars and the rental tracker
• Attend and close events and lock up at the conclusion
• Actively research current trends in events planning
• Assist with scheduling and provide venue tours to prospects
• Collaborate across departments and teams to ensure appropriate communication

Education and Experience Qualifications:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience with event planning or related field required
• Degree in related field (e.g., event management, nonprofit administration, hospitality, business management, etc.) preferred
• Experience with staff and/or volunteer management
• Must pass a pre-employment background check
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to be insured under KNC’s automobile policy

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated customer service ethic and skills
• Ability to remain calm under pressure with a consistent customer-service oriented attitude
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Display consistent honesty, integrity, and professionalism
• Consistent attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a team setting
• Excellent organizational skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Excellent written and oral comprehension in English
• Ability to learn and use an event management system (Currently Altru)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (MOS) or similar software with the ability to learn MOS
• Commitment to KNC mission

Physical Factors/Working Conditions:

• Typical office environment with exposure to outside environmental conditions and weather, with off-site events and meetings
• Frequent travel requirements within a 10–15-mile radius of Visitor Center to satellite properties
• Sometimes required to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including numerous evenings and weekends throughout the year

To apply, visit the KNC’s employment page of their website: Employment – Kalamazoo Nature Center

The Kalamazoo Nature Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all expectations and additional duties may be assigned.