Student Events and Planning Coordinator

Penn State University; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 49,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Tuition discount

Job summary

Penn State Harrisburg seeks an Events and Programs Coordinator to create meaningful on-campus experiences and enhance student involvement. The role plans and implements large-scale events such as Welcome Week and First 100 Days, advises the Programming and Activities Committee (PAC), and supports Greek Life liaison duties with campus partners.

Responsibilities include coordinating events, managing budgets and approvals, supervising student staff, and maintaining publications and communications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience executing high-quality, large-scale events.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills with multi-priority management.
• Clear verbal and written communication.
• Commitment to student-centered service and inclusion.
• Willingness to learn new technology and maintain records.
• Proven ability to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead campus events and initiatives to enhance student involvement.
• Plan and execute large-scale campus events for the Office of Student Engagement.
• Chair the Welcome Week Committee and manage Welcome Week programming.
• Develop First 100 Days initiatives to support student engagement.
• Supervise part-time student employees assisting with events.
• Advise PAC by attending weekly meetings and mentoring the PAC president.
• Support planning of approximately events each semester including Fall Fest and Spring Fling.
• Assist PAC with room reservations, scheduling, setup, and campus coordination.
• Manage PAC funding and annual Standing Allocation from the Student Initiated Fee.
• Supervise the PAC president, a paid student employee (~10 hours/week).
• Provide guidance and performance support to the PAC executive board.
• Maintain relationships with campus partners; contribute to communications and publications.
• Demonstrate financial stewardship via budget oversight and reconciliation.
• Ensure programs comply with policies and risk-management requirements.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

Event execution

Diversity collaboration

Organization

Clear communication

Student-centered service

Tech willingness

Record keeping

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Office software

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State Harrisburg is seeking a full-time Events and Program Coordinatorto create meaningful on-campus experiencestoenhance student co-curricular involvement.This position plans and implements large-scale, signatureevents including Welcome Week and First 100 Days programming.The rolealsoadvises the Programming and Activities Committee (PAC)and supportsthem in the execution of theirevents each semesterincluding managementofits annual Student Initiated Fee allocation, coordination ofeventlogistics, and supervision ofthe PAC president. In addition, the position serves as the Fraternity and Sorority Life liaison, supporting chapter recruitment and eligibility verification,facilitatingGreek Council meetings, andensuring our Greek organizations arein alignment with Penn State policies and values.This role may require frequent evening or weekend hours and is expected to engage with campus, University, and professional networks and committees.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Coordinator of Student Leadership Programs. Job responsibilities include collaboration with various offices across campus including Student Affairs, Student Organizations, Financial Services, Procurement, Office of Physical Plant, Housing and Food Services, and other campus partners involved in the execution of campus events.

Key Responsibilities

Campus Programming and Events

• Lead the Office of Student Engagement’s campus events and initiatives, creating meaningful on-campus experiences that enhance students’ co-curricular involvement.
• Plan and execute assigned Office of Student Engagement large-scale campus events.
• Chair the Welcome Week Committee and oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of Welcome Week programming.
• Develop and implement First 100 Days initiatives to support student engagement and student transition.
• Supervise and support part-time student employees assisting with event planning, implementation, and programming logistics.

Programming and Activities Committee (PAC) Advisor

• Advise the Student Programming and Activities Committee (PAC) by attending weekly meetings and providing regular supervision and mentorship to the PAC president and committee chairs.
• Support the planning and implementation of approximately events each semester, including major campus traditions such as Fall Fest and Spring Fling.
• Assist PAC with event logistics, including room reservations, scheduling, setup, and coordination with campus partners.
• Manage PAC’s annual Standing Allocation from the Student Initiated Fee, including funding requests, financial records, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring funds are appropriately disbursed.
• Directly supervise the PAC president, a paid student employee within the Office of Student Engagement who typically works 10 hours per week.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and performance support to the PAC executive board in managing committee operations and student programming.

Campus Collaboration, Communication, and Administrative Support

• Maintain effective communication and collaborative relationships with campus partners to support planning and implementation of programs and initiatives.
• Develop and contribute to publications, promotional materials, presentations, and other communications that highlight student engagement opportunities and Office of Student Engagement programs.
• Provide presentations and program support for campus partners to promote engagement opportunities, and available resources.
• Demonstrate financial stewardship through budget oversight, expenditure monitoring, purchasing, and reconciliation of funds in accordance with university policies.
• Ensure programs, events, financial activities, comply with applicable University policies, procedures, risk-management requirements, and other institutional guidelines.

Fraternity and Sorority Life Liaison

• Serve as the Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator for all active Greek-letter organizations at Penn State Harrisburg.
• Support chapter recruitment efforts and verify eligibility of potential new members.
• Facilitate weekly Greek Council meetings.
• Provide educational programs on hazing prevention, Title IX, and the history of Greek Life at Penn State.
• Assistwith planning and executing FSL events, including Greek Week and hazing prevention initiatives.
• Coordinate the establishment of new Greek organizations and ensure alignment with Penn State’s values, policies, and compliance requirements.

Qualifications – Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience executing high-quality, large-scale events.
• The ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and workflows. Attention to detail and the ability to multitask will be key.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Commitment to student-centered service, accessibility, and continuous improvement.
• Basic technological skills and the willingness to learn new technology.
• Experiencemaintainingaccuraterecords, managing documentation, and supporting operational processes.
• A proventrack recordof working effectively within a team environment.

Qualifications – Preferred

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A demonstrated history of leadership and knowledge of student development.
• Experience working in student activities executing high-quality student events.
• Evidence of creating practices that improve equity and inclusion.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $49,188.00 - $71,340.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State’s salary structure

• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• robust retirement plans
• substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.