Special Events and Communications Coordinator

Albuquerque, NM, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Exact $25.46

Work Schedule

Flexible

Day Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Professional development opportunities

flexible schedule

Employee assistance program

Job Description

The City of Belen Parks and Recreation Department is a vibrant and community-focused municipal organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents through dynamic programming, engaging special events, and comprehensive park services. The department actively promotes community engagement, wellness, and cultural enrichment by organizing a variety of recreational activities, festivals, and city-sponsored events that unite residents and local partners. Situated in the City of Belen, this department serves as a vital conduit connecting citizens, businesses, non-profits, and government bodies to foster shared experiences and community pride.

The full-time Special Events and Communications Coordinator plays a crucial role within the Parks and Recreation Department by managing the lifecycle of all city and department events—from conceptual planning through execution and post-event evaluation. With a base salary of $52,956 annually, this position offers a stable career opportunity with a competitive hourly wage of $25.46. The coordinator not only plans and coordinates events but also acts as a key liaison for community partners including the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, school districts, downtown organizations, and volunteer groups. This role encompasses marketing and communications responsibilities, overseeing the department’s website and all forms of print and digital materials to ensure timely, accurate, and appealing content.

In the scope of event management, the coordinator is responsible for orchestrating all logistics, from site layouts and scheduling to vendor relations, entertainment, public safety coordination, volunteer staffing, and compliance with city ordinances. They lead internal coordination meetings to align city departments and streamline resource allocation, ensuring that all events operate safely and effectively. Building partnerships and securing sponsorships are vital elements of the job, fostering sustained community support for initiatives. The coordinator also supervises event staff and collaborates closely with city officials to maintain adherence to policies.

Beyond event planning, the role demands a strong focus on communications. The coordinator maintains and updates the department’s website, guaranteeing ADA compliance and current information, while crafting promotional materials including brochures, flyers, press releases, and social media content to effectively market the parks, facilities, and programs. Content creation extends to photography and video production of events, ensuring robust media presence and dynamic engagement on multiple platforms. The coordinator actively works with local media outlets and city communications staff to enhance brand consistency and awareness.

This role requires a dynamic individual capable of juggling multiple priorities in both office and outdoor settings, often needing flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays aligned with the event calendar. The position also offers the opportunity to contribute to the creation of seasonal program guides and e-newsletters, further supporting recreation programming efforts. Overall, the Special Events and Communications Coordinator serves as an essential ambassador of the City of Belen’s Parks and Recreation Department, embodying its mission to enrich community life through innovative events, clear communication, and collaborative partnerships.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in relevant field or equivalent experience
minimum 3 years of event planning or community relations experience
proven ability to manage large-scale events
strong interpersonal and organizational skills
proficiency with office software and social media tools
willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends
excellent communication skills
ability to supervise staff and volunteers
basic marketing software knowledge preferred

Job Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Event Management, Communications, Public Relations, or related field preferred
minimum of 3 years of experience in event planning, community relations, or recreation programming
municipal or nonprofit experience preferred
relevant work experience may be substituted for education
proven experience in large-scale event planning and coordination required
strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with public officials, community partners, volunteers, and residents
excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
proficiency with Microsoft Office, website CMS tools, and social media management platforms
ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules
strong written and verbal communication skills including public speaking
basic knowledge of marketing design software such as Canva, Adobe, Publisher preferred

Job Duties

Plan, coordinate, and execute all Parks and Recreation Department and City-sponsored special events
serve as event manager coordinating logistics including site layouts, schedules, vendor relations, entertainment, equipment rentals, public safety coordination, and staffing/volunteers
act as central point of contact for all special events occurring within the City including external organizations
assist event organizers with special event permitting process including application review and compliance
coordinate and facilitate interdepartmental review of event applications working with Police, Fire, Public Works, Utilities, and Administration
organize and lead internal special event coordination meetings
track and maintain centralized calendar of Citywide events
coordinate City services and resources for special events including staffing, equipment, barricades, and facility use
develop and manage event budgets ensuring fiscal responsibility
secure sponsorships, donations, and in-kind support while establishing relationships with local businesses and community stakeholders
develop strategic partnerships with chamber of commerce, downtown districts, and civic groups
prepare event reports and lead after-action debriefs
supervise all event staff including city employees, volunteers, seasonal staff, and contractors
ensure events comply with city policies, safety regulations, and permits
represent Parks and Recreation Department at community meetings, public events, and media appearances
maintain and update department webpages, calendars, and online registration
ensure website content is current, accurate, visually appealing, and ADA compliant
post timely notices for upcoming events and program highlights
collaborate with IT and communications personnel to implement digital improvements and monitor analytics
create and distribute promotional materials including flyers, brochures, press releases, and digital content
manage department social media pages generating engaging posts and videos
photograph and video department events and programs
coordinate with local media to promote community activities
establish or enhance brand consistency across platforms and materials
assist in creation of seasonal recreation program guide and e-newsletters