Project Specialist II (Event and Marketing Support)

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.

Applications must be submitted online no later than Sunday, April 13, 2025, for first consideration. Position will remain open until filled. 

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.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary: $31.26 per hour.
• Five-month (May 20 – October 20, 2025), full-time, on-site, FLSA non-exempt, non-bargaining unit (NBU) position.
• The City of Champaign offers excellent fringe benefits including:
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave and 11 paid City holidays each year
• Health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement health savings and flexible spending plans

View the Salary Schedule and Non-Bargaining Unit Non-Exempt Full-Time Limited-Term Fringe Benefit Summary at: ChampaignIL.gov/Salaries. View the full Non-Bargaining Unit handbook at ChampaignIL.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units/.

The City’s mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion.