Public Events & Permits Coordinator

City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Barbara's Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a Special Events Coordinator to support community events and photo/film permits across our parks, beaches, and public spaces. This role serves as a primary contact for event organizers, coordinating with City departments to obtain permits, inspections, and approvals while ensuring timelines and budgets stay on track.

Ideal candidates are highly organized, customer-focused, and able to manage multiple events, requests, and

Qualifications

• Three years of increasingly responsible administrative, recreation programming and clerical experience, including experience working with the public.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade is required.
• Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in recreation services, physical education or a related field is preferred.
• Possession or ability to obtain a valid Community First Aid and CPR certificate.
• Possession or ability to obtain a valid California Driver's License.
• Oral Spanish language fluency is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for event organizers, providing prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable assistance throughout the City’s event permitting and approval process.
• Respond to inquiries regarding special event applications and photo/film permits and explain applicable City requirements, processes, and timelines.
• Review event and photo/film permit applications, contracts, and plans; coordinate or approve permits in accordance with City requirements.
• Coordinate with Police, Fire, Public Works, Waterfront, and other City departments or agencies to facilitate required reviews, permits, inspections, and approvals.
• Track numerous event requirements, deadlines, documents, and approvals and develop effective systems to ensure that assigned events remain on schedule and all required steps are completed.
• Prepare and review event layouts, staffing plans, timelines, cost estimates, and other event materials.
• Assists in coordinating event logistics, including safety requirements, equipment needs, contractor support, security, and crowd management.
• Conduct outdoor venue inspections and serve as the City’s onsite representative for assigned events, responding to organizer questions and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
• Participate in coordination meetings with City departments, event organizers, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare post-event evaluations and billing statements, including determining applicable labor and equipment charges.
• Assist senior staff on large-scale community events.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Event management

Customer service

Organizational skills

Communication

Public engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred (recreation services or related field)

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Accela

PerfectMind

Job description

The City of Santa Barbara's Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a Special Events Coordinator to support community events and photo/film permits across our parks, beaches, and public spaces. This role serves as a primary contact for event organizers, coordinating with City departments to obtain permits, inspections, and approvals while ensuring timelines and budgets stay on track.

Ideal candidates are highly organized, customer-focused, and able to manage multiple events, requests, and