Join our team as a Project Specialist II (Event and Marketing Support) and help execute a variety of entertainment and promotional events activating downtown Champaign, Illinois in Summer 2025. In this role, you will be responsible for executing targeted marketing campaigns to boost attendance and engagement while also providing on-site event support during special events and programming. We are looking for someone with a passion for live events, a knack for storytelling through digital channels, and the ability to succeed in a dynamic environment.

This is a full-time, limited position from May 19 to October 19, 2025. The position is eligible for paid leave, including sick, personal, vacation, and City holidays. Additional benefits include health, dental, life, and vision insurance.

Responsibilities of Position

The Project Specialist II will assist City staff to enhance programming such as a revised Downtown Farmers Market, a new lunchtime concert series, and The Beat on Market Street, among others.

This role involves engaging with local businesses, sponsors, community stakeholders, and City departments to enrich the downtown experience. The Project Specialist II will focus on event marketing and promotion, assist with logistics, setup, and execution, and collect feedback from attendees and stakeholders.

This position requires working outside regular business hours during special events including 7 pm to 1 am two Saturdays a month and 2 pm to 7 pm on Tuesdays. Flex time will be provided to compensate for hours worked beyond the standard schedule.

The principal duties of this position are performed in an outdoor environment that may expose the employee to adverse weather conditions, excessive noise, and other outdoor environmental elements. Duties involve working in crowds.

Required Qualifications

• Degree, certification, or advanced training in marketing, communications, advertising, or a related area.
• Experience with event coordination, marketing, promotion, or similar functions.
• Experience with digital marketing campaigns or social media channels.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and education demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Current driver’s license and good driving record.
• Physical condition necessary to perform the duties of the job, including working in crowds and walking or moving around for long periods of time, and lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without accommodation. Work may involve exposure to high noise levels and other outdoor environmental elements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience marketing live events, music, or entertainment.
• Nightlife or entertainment industry event support experience.
• Experience involving a high level of public contact.

Drug screening and driving abstract will be required. The salary is $31.26 per hour, plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications must be submitted online no later than Sunday, April 13, 2025, for first consideration. Position will remain open until filled.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.

The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, the Illinois WorkNet Center and the City of Champaign City Building.

Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.

These values guide our work:

Personal Integrity

We act in the best interests of the City

We behave in an ethical and legal manner

We are open and honest

We follow through on commitments

We are loyal to the City

Responsibility

We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities

We take initiative

We act to prevent and solve problems

We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions

We hold ourselves and others accountable

Respect

We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner

We actively listen and seek understanding

We provide a direct response

We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace

We are positive and cooperative

We are willing to apologize

Teamwork

We know and respect our roles and responsibilities

We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately

We define and agree upon the goals

We collaborate to achieve organizational goals

We help others accomplish their goals

We share authority, responsibility, and credit

Results

We take pride in our work

We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget

We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance

We learn from our mistakes

We innovate