Event Coordinator - Parks, Recreation, and Open Space

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The city of Aurora's Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Department's mission is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature and community. 

The award-winning operation consists of seven divisions (Golf, Open Space and Natural Resources, Parks Operations, Planning, Design and Construction, Recreation, Business Services and Communications) that collectively manage more than 8,000 acres of open space, 100+ parks, 180+ athletic fields, over 100 miles of trails, three nature centers, two reservoirs, five recreation centers, five golf courses, indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and one of Colorado's largest municipal urban forestry programs. 

Aurora PROS is committed to delivering exceptional public service while being responsible stewards of its diverse system of parks, programs, natural resources and amenities that enhance the daily quality of life for Aurora residents.

The hiring range for this role is $59,483 - $74,354/year

Salary to be commensurate with experience.

The deadline to submit applications is September 7, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

Position Overview

The Events Coordinator provides special event coordination for the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department by planning, permitting, developing, organizing, producing and evaluating various special and community events on behalf of the department and city.  

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, administers, and evaluates city special events and coordinates and serves in lead and support roles for other events as assigned.
• Arranges all aspects of public special events (500 to 6,000 attendees) including but not limited to: developing creative details, site mapping, managing event budgets, security, technical arrangements, vendor coordination, sponsorship deliverables and activation, event signage, supplies and equipment.
• Coordinates with marketing specialists to ensure all marketing, advertising and communication needs for promotion of the events is addressed and clearly defined for attendees; this includes but is not limited to the sponsorship deliverables, event signage and website.
• Coordinates event volunteers and ensures onsite roles, responsibilities, and assignments are clearly defined and communicated.
• Establishes relationships with sponsors, neighborhood organizations, local builders, businesses, and any other organizations having an association with special events such as festivals, concerts, and walks/runs.
• Performs administrative tasks including contract management, permitting, fee and deposit collection, budgeting records, event and annual reports.
• Manages various workflow processes and performs additional duties as assigned.

The listed primary duties and responsibilities are not a comprehensive list of expectations for the job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree in event management, recreation, or a directly related field or equivalate.

Experience: 

• At least 3 years’ experience in special events.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years of large-scale event experience (highly preferred)
• Experience in sponsorship sales and sponsorship relations.
• Experience in a public sector/government environment preferred.
• Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
• Event management software, such as Eventeny.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of strategies, best practices and operations of special events.
• Knowledge of stage specifications, event equipment and permitting policies as related to special events.
• Knowledge of budget and data management.
• Knowledge of personal computers, laptops, related hardware and related software packages including but not limited to Microsoft Office (word, excel, SharePoint).

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated capabilities in communications and public speaking.
• Strong customer service skills as it relates to serving as a representative of the department and city to the community, external and internal organizations and businesses.
• Obtaining and retaining sponsorship and partnership sales.
• Strong task and time management skills, balancing multiple assignments at once and adhering to deadlines.
• Skills in data and application processes, policy adherence as it relates to obtaining permits.

Abilities: 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow city of Aurora employees and city departments, public, elected officials, local, state and regional organizations, companies, schools, nonprofits, and other event professionals.  
• Ability to plan, organize and implement special and community events, and supervise and direct the work of other staff or volunteers at special events.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Colorado Driver’s License with good driving history.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Medium physical work that involves occasional lifting to a maximum of 50 lbs. with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

• Occasional walking and standing.
• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending and stooping.
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees, citizens, volunteers and other groups.
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard, carts and moveable shelving

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, fumes, chemicals, and dust.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, event planning software and recreation registration/POS system.
• During special and community events, this position may use equipment such as tables, chairs, tents, etc.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
• May require operation of a motor vehicle.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.