Job Description

Description

Cary is seeking three Program Specialists to implement a wide array of programming and events to provide Cary citizens with unique ways to connect and engage. These positions will perform professional work in planning and implementing programming and events including, but not limited to, daily scheduled activities, community-wide cultural festivals, concerts, and more.

Two positions will be based at Downtown Cary Park, a project 20 years in the making which will total seven acres in size and will be centrally located in the heart of Downtown Cary. These specialists will support programming and events in and around Downtown Cary Park.

The other position will be more broadly focused on outdoor programming and events outside of Downtown Cary Park, including Cary’s annual Spring Daze and Lazy Daze arts and crafts festivals.

Cary, N.C., is a fast-growing, diverse, and creative community of more than 170,000 people. Community-based programming and events play vital roles in defining Cary’s sense of place, reflecting the shared values, interests, and aspirations of its residents.

Ranging from large-scale arts and crafts festivals to musical concerts to national holiday observances to home-grown community celebrations, Cary offers a wide range of organized activities in our public spaces, facilities, and parks. The Program Specialist will play vital roles in all of it – sometimes as lead producer, other times as liaison or consultant, but always as the expert and valued resource for organizing high-quality, safe, and fun live programs and events.

At Cary, our employees work together to change lives through exceptional service.  The OneCary approach empowers each employee to have a voice in a collaborative, adaptive work environment between departments, thinking creatively and strategically together as a team. In this role, you will be interacting and working with employees across various departments, plus numerous citizens, businesses, community partners, event planners, volunteers, and officials.

Typical Tasks

Organizes and manages logistical support for programming and events;

Leads program planning and design, including themes, format, activities and attractions, agendas, amenities, and hospitality. Site management to include planning, development, sourcing, selection, contracting, and inspections;

Selects artists, vendors, entertainers, speakers, and other key participants; Negotiates and administers associated contracts and agreements, including payment;

Coordinates with various internal departments (e.g., Police, Fire, Finance) and outside providers to procure required equipment, supplies, personnel, and support services;

Manages relationships with programming partners (e.g., universities, museums, small businesses, nonprofits, etc.) and ensures the quality of activities;

Organizes technical aspects of the production, including lighting, sound, video, and/or staging;

Hires, trains, and supervises temporary part-time and seasonal employees. Supervises and coordinates with event contractors and vendors;

Develops program and operating calendars, activity schedules, informational and planning tools, and projections for attendance and/or revenue. Provides for control of day-of operations, assuring the execution and coordination of approved plans;

Collaboratively develops and administers specific plans and programs in matters of training and development, quality assurance, safety/emergency procedures, crowd control and crisis management procedures, diversity and inclusion, or other areas as needed;

Works with Cary’s Public Safety team and other departmental stakeholders on emergency management planning for large-scale events, including the creation, implementation, and evaluation of the event’s Incident Action Plan based on FEMA’s National Incident Management System guidelines;

Participates in the development of annual operating and capital budgets, and tracks expenditures;

Collaborates with Marketing, 311, and 911 to develop and implement internal and external communication plans, including both emergency and non-emergency messaging;

Writes, edits, and produces scripts for event productions;

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all co-workers, officials, volunteers, outside contractors, vendors, and the public;

Conducts post-event recognition and evaluation and benefit analysis, and recommends and implements improvements for programming and events;

Responds to and resolve customer complaints, questions, and suggestions related to programming and events;

Performs other job-related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

What to Bring to the Table:

• Knowledge of current trends in the visual, performing, and interdisciplinary arts
• Knowledge of and experience in event planning, operations, and management
• Practical knowledge of technical systems is required for producing live events.
• Experience in contract negotiation, purchasing procedures, and supervising personnel
• Basic understanding of financial reporting and settlements
• General knowledge of first aid practices and techniques
• General knowledge of FEMA’s National Incident Management System guidelines and incident action planning
• Enjoys critical thinking and problem-solving
• Highly organized with keen attention to detail
• Comfortable making independent decisions and operating with a high degree of autonomy
• Willing to bring new ideas and innovation to the table and partner on creative solutions
• Ability to create programs through the full cycle (needs assessment, benchmarking, research and early analysis, conception and program development, marketing, delivery, and evaluation)
• Ability to produce high-quality work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and changing work environment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in written
• Ability to work simultaneously with a broad variety of vested interest groups and to foster a cooperative environment
• Ability to lead with a commitment to access, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays with periods of high volume/workload

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

Requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in arts management, event management, business administration, public administration, or a related field AND Considerable experience in organizing and supervising public recreational and cultural programs.

Physical Requirements

• The work in this class is generally light, although work often requires considerable walking, sitting, standing, and lifting up to 35 pounds.
• An employee must be able to move about freely to observe facilities and activities.
• Considerable dexterity with hands and fingers is required.
• An employee must be able to talk and hear to communicate with other employees, the general public, vendors, and others.
• Visual acuity is necessary to read and write handwritten and typewritten materials and view a computer.

Conditions of Employment

Requires possession of a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal check, education verification and credit history review) prior to employment.

How to Apply

Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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