Recreation Coordinator -Special Events

Parks, Recreation and Tourism is seeking a creative, energetic, and highly organized leader who is passionate about special event planning and community engagement. If you enjoy designing meaningful events, bringing people together, and creating memorable experiences, this role is for you.

• Plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate citywide special events, programs, and recreational activities
• Supervise assigned staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating performance, and providing coaching and discipline
• Collaborate with city departments, community groups, vendors, and stakeholders to plan and execute events
• Develop event concepts, activities, sponsor ships, entertainment, and programming for diverse audiences
• Design and coordinate promotional and marketing materials using various media platforms
• Oversee event safety, permitting, compliance, and incident reporting, ensuring adherence to city policies and regulations
• Manage contracts, vendors, entertainment, concessions, and service providers, including negotiation and selection
• Monitor budgets, approve expenditures, review invoices and payroll, and support annual budget development
• Collect, analyze, and maintain data, records, and reports related to programs and events
• Coordinate logistics for citywide events, ceremonial programs, and special initiatives
• Maintain equipment, supplies, and inventory; place orders as needed
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to public inquiries and concerns
• Attend meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities; represent the department at public presentations
• Support special event permitting, compliance, and work order processes
• Perform other duties as assigned

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in physical education, sports/recreation administration, outdoor recreation or a related field.

This class requires a minimum of two years of directly related full-time equivalent experience in the field, to include at least one year of supervisor level responsibilities.

Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City Driving Standards.

CPR and First Aid certification are preferred, must be obtained within 6 months of employment and renewed every 2 years. Requirements determined by area assigned.

Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

• Experience in planning, marketing, and conducting indoor and outdoor special events; working with vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, media outlets and citizen groups.
• Experience coordinating ceremonial events and general knowledge of ceremony protocol.
• Work hours vary and include significant evenings, weekends and periodically holidays.
• Will be required to work some events, programs, and activities within other areas of the City and Department.
• Over one year of full-time experience including some professional experience in managing organized special events and programs.
• Must possess knowledge of recreational games, sports, arts and crafts, fitness programs, cultural awareness programs and special events.