Special Events Coordinator

City of Bastrop, TX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bastrop seeks a dynamic Special Events Coordinator to lead planning and execution of signature events and guide organizers through permitting processes. You will help shape Bastrop as a premier destination, coordinating festivals, public celebrations, and partnerships with local businesses to strengthen the economy.

You will oversee event operations, recruit volunteers, manage vendors, and ensure safety and compliance across departments.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and executing city or community events.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of permitting processes and public outreach.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and execute city-sponsored events and programs.
• Coordinate event logistics: site layouts, vendors, traffic, security, permits, rentals.
• Serve as primary contact for organizers and guide through permitting process.
• Review applications and collaborate with departments to ensure compliance.
• Administer film permit programs and coordinate with production teams.
• Develop workshops and best practices for organizers.
• Build partnerships with businesses, tourism orgs, nonprofits, and community groups.
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers and temporary staff.
• Coordinate vendors, insurance, safety, and contracts.
• Support marketing through digital and PR channels.

Skills

Event planning

Logistics

Permitting

Vendor coordination

Customer service

Public safety

Project management

Organization

Communication

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Judgement

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Event Management/Related field

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Social media platforms

Event management software

Job description

Make an Impact Through Unforgettable Community Experiences

Do you thrive on bringing people together and creating memorable events? The City of Bastrop is looking for a dynamic, highly organized, customer-focused Special Events Coordinator to help shape the experiences that make our community a destination to live, work, and visit.

As part of the Discover Bastrop team, you'll lead the planning and execution of signature City events while guiding community organizations and event producers through the City's special event and film permitting processes. From coordinating festivals and public celebrations to building partnerships with local businesses and ensuring events are safe, welcoming, and successful, you'll play a vital role in enhancing Bastrop's vibrant downtown, supporting tourism, and strengthening our local economy.

If you're a creative problem-solver who enjoys collaborating with diverse stakeholders, managing complex projects, and making a visible impact in the community, we'd love to hear from you.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize, and execute City-sponsored special events and community programs that support tourism, economic development, and quality of life.
• Coordinate all event logistics, including site layouts, vendor placement, traffic and parking plans, security, permits, equipment rentals, and event operations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event organizers, guiding applicants through the City's special event permitting process.
• Review event applications, coordinate the Special Events Committee review process, and collaborate with Police, Fire, Public Works, and other departments to ensure compliance with City requirements.
• Administer the City's Film Permit Program, coordinating applications with production companies and City departments.
• Develop educational workshops, resources, and best practices to assist community event organizers.
• Build strong partnerships with local businesses, tourism organizations, nonprofits, and community stakeholders to enhance event programming.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise volunteers and temporary event staff.
• Coordinate vendors and contractors, ensuring insurance, safety, and contractual requirements are met.
• Support event marketing efforts through digital communications, email campaigns, press releases, and social media in collaboration with the marketing team.
• Attend and oversee events, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, resolving operational issues as they arise.
• Conduct post-event evaluations, prepare reports, and recommend process improvements.
• Maintain accurate records of permits, contracts, event expenditures, vendor agreements, and logistics.
• Stay current on applicable City ordinances and recommend improvements to policies and procedures that enhance customer service and operational efficiency.
• Support cross-functional initiatives within Discover Bastrop and perform other duties as assigned.

Typical Decision:

Makes independent and sound judgement calls on a variety of response needs, sometimes dealing with sensitive, confidential, and political matters. Is capable of independently researching appropriate responses to routine communications and requests for information; determines effective course of action to complete assignments, identify inefficiencies and recommends solutions.

Special Requirements:

• General work schedule is 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday, with additional hours outside normal business hours as required for special events and community engagement, or emergency situations.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential; leave scheduled should be managed so as to not interfere with the ability to accomplish tasks, including special projects and assignments with deadlines.
• Must be able to work holidays, weekends, or after hours as needed.

Other Requirements:

• Must have reliable transportation.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, hear, use hands; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to move around city offices and various locations throughout the city and nearby areas.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and LICENSES

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in event planning, hospitality, tourism, public engagement, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating large-scale public events and managing multiple projects simultaneously is preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, social media platforms, and event management software.

Licenses:

Valid Texas Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record to be maintained throughout employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of event planning, logistics, permitting, vendor coordination, customer service, and public safety practices.
• Strong project management, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with community partners, businesses, volunteers, City staff, and elected officials.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to handle sensitive or confidential matters with discretion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• This position typically worksMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with frequent evenings, weekends, and holidays required to support events and community activities.

• The position involves both office and field work, including travel throughout the city, standing and walking for extended periods during events, and occasionally lifting or moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

If you're passionate about creating memorable community experiences, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, managing complex projects, and helping showcase one of Texas' most vibrant historic communities, we would love for you to apply.

The City of Bastrop is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO) and values diversity in its workforce. As an EEO employer, the City provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Employment is contingent on passing post-offer, pre-employment drug testing/physical, and criminal background investigation.