Program Specialist 3 - Special Events Coordinator at Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, TN

About the Department

The Metro Parks Special Event Coordinator plays a key role in supporting community celebrations, festivals, and special occasions. Be the welcoming face who helps event organizers create memorable experiences in our parks. You will report directly to the Assistant Director for Natural Resources, Special Events & Outdoor Recreation. Hours are typically Monday – Friday but frequently involve evening and weekend work hours. The Special Event Coordinator guides applicants through the permitting process, supports logistics, and ensures all events follow park regulations for a successful and safe experience.

Metro’s Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of facilities and programs throughout Davidson County. Currently, the department oversees nearly 16,000 acres of open space, including 184 parks and 107 miles of greenway. Metro Parks offers after school programs for children, activities for seniors (55+), cultural arts classes, dog parks, fitness classes, nature programs, sports leagues, ice hockey, art galleries, and much more.  It is the mission of Metro Parks and Recreation to sustainably and equitably provide everyone in Davidson County with an inviting network of parks and greenways that offer health, wellness and quality of life through recreation, conservation and community. This fast-paced, diverse, and multi-faceted environment might be just the place for you! 

Position Duties

• Managing all aspects of special event permitting in Metro Parks, including receiving requests, determining event appropriateness, processing applications, communicating requirements to applicants, and ensuring compliance before issuing permits.
• Guiding special event applicants through the event permitting process, explaining and ensuring compliance with requirements.
• Coordinating and communicating special event logistics with various Parks divisions, including Parks Police and Maintenance.
• Maintaining comprehensive knowledge of park rules, regulations, and policies to provide accurate guidance to event organizers.

• Conducting site visits and inspections to assess event feasibility and ensure proper setup.
• Monitoring events to ensure compliance with park rules and regulations.
• Providing excellent customer service to event planners, vendors, and park visitors.
• Maintaining detailed records and documentation of all permit activities, including Metro Parks special event calendar.
• Attending and representing the Parks Department in city special event meetings and collaborating with Metro departments such as the Mayor’s Office, MNPD, Nashville Department of Transportation, WeGo, Metro Fire, and the Sports Authority.
• Coordinating with external organizations, including the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, Nashville Downtown Partnership, Country Music Association, Nashville Predators, and Tennessee Titans, to support major city events.
• Demonstrating strong communication skills for interactions with both internal and external stakeholders, maintaining a customer service-oriented approach.
• Being proficient in using online resources and internet-based tools for research and communication.
• Managing financial aspects of special events, including fee proposals, invoicing, payment processing, and financial recordkeeping, including understanding and applying the Parks special event fee structure.
• Attending onsite and off-site meetings at various park locations, sometimes with short notice.
• Assisting with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree and one (1) year experience in program management or development.
*Additional experience may be considered in lieu of education*


LICENSE REQUIRED:  Valid Driver License 

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
 
Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Other Qualifications

• Candidate should be highly organized, detail oriented and have the ability to accurately process high flow of permits in a timely manner 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time management abilities
• Customer service orientation with a positive, helpful attitude
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment

We are an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Metro Nashville is committed to selecting the most qualified candidate for each of our roles.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.
 
 
Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

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