Job Description

Overview

CULTURAL AFFAIRS COORD II Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)

Programming Division, Production

Starting Salary: $69,684

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 09/16/2025

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city to strengthen and celebrate Chicago.

DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city, serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.

The Cultural Affairs Coordinator II position works with musicians, performers, artists, arts organizations, arts communities, city contractors, event specialists and various technicians to showcase the talent of local, national, and international performances at the Chicago Cultural Center, outdoor spaces, and other venues throughout the city. The position will perform duties as follows:

Essential duties

• Serve as producer of assigned special events, programs, and festivals by managing all production processes and procedures including meeting schedules, site plans, production schedules, technical stage production, artist hospitality, event expenditures, rental equipment and additional duties as necessary
• Manage live and virtual meetings, onsite meetings, written memorandums, and consistent follow-up to present successful and enjoyable events for the public and tourists while ensuring the goals and objectives of the city and department are met
• Communicate via email, phone, live, and virtual meetings to facilitate and correspond event plans and expectations
• Meet and correspond with performers, contractors, vendors, arts organizations, and sponsors to discuss production goals, policies, procedures, and opportunities for collaborations
• Maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the flow of information, updates, and approvals as necessary
• Manage digital and archival documents, including maintaining computer databases, files, records, contracts, payment schedules, production timelines, and scopes of services for current and past productions. Develop detailed spreadsheets and ensure diligent electronic communication related to concerts, festivals, and special events
• Manage and oversee assigned program budgets and related expenses. Negotiate event expenses, obtain estimates, process invoices, track and report expenses to ensure fiscal responsibility
• Manage assigned program contracts and accompanying insurance documents to ensure Department needs are met and in compliance with City's policies
• Work with various city departments such as OEMC, CPD, CFD, CDOT, 2FM, Streets and Sanitation, BACP, CDPH, CTA, as well as the Chicago Park District to develop, plan, organize, enforce, train, and implement goals, objectives, and procedures
• Manage post-event reporting, evaluation, and documentation as needed
• Keep abreast of current laws and regulations, best professional practice standards, and trends
• Provide resources, technical assistance, and troubleshoot conflicts and issues
• Collaborate with DCASE divisions and other city departments to obtain necessary permits, insurances, and licensing
• Collaborate with DCASE Finance and Development division to maintain annual budget reports
• Collaborate with DCASE Marketing and Communications division to promote events, develop marketing materials, and provide information requested through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
• May represent the city at conferences and speaking engagements as needed
• May oversee and/or supervise temporary staff, including student interns
• Assist with other DCASE produced events, programs, and activities
• Perform related duties as required
• Additional duties may be required for this position

Location

Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Programming Division

78 E Washington St, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 60602

Hours

9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

Must be flexible to work early mornings, weekends, evenings, and some holidays. Work indoors and occasionally outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise.

This position is in the Career Service.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education Training and Experience:

• Six (6) years of program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree, PLUS four (4) years of program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, PLUS two (2) years of program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher, PLUS one (1) year of program development or administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming

Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Arts Administration, Communications, Hospitality, Liberal Arts, Public Relations, Tourism, or a directly related field
• Experience in government structure and protocol
• Experience in production, logistics/location, project management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Proficiency in internet research

Selection Requirements

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.

Knowledge: Knowledge of event production logistics, operations, and protocols. Familiarity with Chicago geography and neighborhoods. Familiarity with bureaucracies and community relations.

Abilities: Able to problem-solve, multi-task, and work collaboratively. Effective time management, organization, and meeting deadlines. Attention to details and record keeping. Able to communicate and work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.

Skills: Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet research, and online-based application processes. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Effective time management and multi-tasking. Excellent writing, presentation, and public speaking skills. Excellent organizational skills. Strong attention to details.

Other requirements: Must be flexible to work early mornings, weekends, evenings, and some holidays. Work indoors and occasionally outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise.

Working Conditions: Work indoors and outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise. General office environment, using standard office equipment.

Application Evaluation: Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

Commitment to Diversity: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. The learn more about our hiring processes, please click here.

All references to political sponsorship or recommendation must be omitted from all application materials submitted for City employment.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Job Posting: Sep 2, 2025, 1:01:13 PM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Sep 17, 2025, 4:59:00 AM

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Job Tags

Temporary work, For contractors, Work at office, Local area, Live in, Flexible hours, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, Early shift, Monday to Friday,

Similar Jobs