JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
CULTURAL AFFAIRS COORDINATOR II
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS (DCASE)
Operations and Permits Division, Events Operations
Number of Positions: 1
(Additional Vacancies Possible Pending Budget Approval)
Starting Salary: $67,656.00
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 03/31/2025
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.
DCASE offers more than 2,000 high-quality free exhibitions, concerts, theatrical and dance performances, films, lectures and discussions, family events and other programs each year at venues across the city, including the presentation of major cultural events like Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago SummerDance, Taste of Chicago, Chicago Air & Water Show, and more. DCASE manages a wide range of projects that advance the City of Chicago and its vibrant neighborhoods—including youth arts initiatives, cultural grants, markets, public art installations, community concerts celebrating Chicago’s music legacy, neighborhood festivals and events, and positioning Chicago as a hub for film and TV production.
Essential Duties
The Cultural Affairs Coordinator II position in the Event Operations Section of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will coordinate the implementation of operational functions related to DCASE produced events plus provide guidance and support to city-wide festivals, parades, and athletic events with an emphasis on public safety. The position will also analyze and execute logistical needs of an event, ensuring that the event flows smoothly from inception to completion while making sure that all DCASE produced events are safe and enjoyable for the public. In this capacity, the position will perform the following duties:
- Attend and coordinate regularly held DCASE meetings on-site, off-site, and virtually to make sure all DCASE divisions understand and are comfortable with operational timelines and initiatives
- Oversee daily operations at DCASE produced events, coordinate communications between DCASE divisions, City partners, contractors and vendors, and maintain timelines to ensure event production schedules
- Lead on-site walkthroughs of upcoming events, conduct on-site visits to visually inspect event locations, provide suggestions for improvements, and make critical on the spot decisions to alter event sites/routes as needed to maintain the safety and integrity of events
- Compile operational schedules and timelines for DCASE events/festivals, meet regularly with DCASE team to schedule equipment and services needed for events to ensure the timely delivery of equipment and services and to avoid potential scheduling conflicts
- Oversee off-site City service requests by providing on-site direction through regular dialogue with various City agencies to ensure requests have been fulfilled and deadlines met
- Coordinate, set up, and lead large-scale parades City service meetings that take place throughout the City of Chicago and attend these parades. Communicate with parade organizers and various City agencies via email, telephone, and virtual for meeting requests. Go out to parade routes, attend parades, and make sure organizers comply with what was discussed at City Service meetings to ensure all events are produced within City guidelines and run smoothly
- Coordinate and lead City service meetings for large scale DCASE events. Coordinate, schedule, and attend meetings with city partners - CPD,CFD, CPD, 2FM, CDOT, CTA, Buildings and others to coordinate the delivery of City services and to address public safety and traffic issues
- Compile and coordinate vehicles/equipment for DCASE events, order vehicles/equipment through contracted providers, including trailers, forklifts, golf carts, vans, etc. needed for events to stay within budget
- Prepare and compile comprehensive narrative and statistical reports to track details related to operations to document and record up to date and archival information on events
- May oversee student intern(s), meet daily to delegate projects that need attention; train, monitor, and guide the intern(s) on city/DCASE assignments, processes, and procedures to assist division staff and to make sure intern is educated and updated on tasks and assignments
Additional Duties May Be Required For This Position
LOCATION: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
78 E Washington St, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 60602
HOURS: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Must be able to work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and/or holidays when necessary. Work indoors in general office environment using standard office equipment and outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise.
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree, plus two years of program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Equivalencies
- Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university plus one (1) year of program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming.
- Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university plus four (4) years of program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming.
- Six (6) years of work experience in program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming
NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma at the time of processing
Selection Requirements
This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.
Preference Will Be Given To Candidates Possessing The Following
- Bachelor’s degree in advertising, Event Operations, Hospitality, Tourism, Business Management, or a related field
- Experience in event production, operations, or project management
- Knowledge in the creation of maps, diagrams, charts, layouts and large scale plans
- Experience working with the public
- Multi-lingual, Spanish speaking preferred but not required
Knowledge: Advanced experience producing special, cultural, and large scale events. Knowledge of logistics, operations, and protocol. Experience working with the public. Familiarity with Chicago geography and neighborhoods. Familiarity with bureaucracies and community relations.
Abilities: Demonstrates leadership, planning, strategy, and coordination abilities. Communicates and works effectively with people of diverse backgrounds. Ability to collaborate, serve as a team player, and work as a operations lead on projects. Ability to multi-task. Ability to develop event/production plans, event layouts, and detailed schedules. Ability to create and maintain databases and tracking systems. Ability to always present a professional demeanor.
Skills: Excellent writing, presentation and public speaking skills. Good organizational skills. Strong communications skills. Strong collaborator. Strong attention to detail. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet research. Good math skills (sufficient to prepare and monitor budgets).
Other Requirements: Must be able to work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and/or holidays when necessary. Work indoors in general office environment using standard office equipment and outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. Ability to sit, stand, walk, and bend for extended periods of time.
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration.
These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Job Posting
Mar 17, 2025, 1:00:00 AM
BU
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