Special Event & Fundraising Intern

Under the general supervision of the Special Events & Fundraising Manager, the Special Events & Fundraising Intern will gain hands-on experience in planning, coordinating, and executing special events, fundraising initiatives, and community programs within the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department.

Position is paid at 20 hours week and 20 hours will go towards educational/field experience.

Examples of Duties:

Assist the Special Events & Fundraising Manager with event planning, logistics, and implementation.

Support the setup, supervision, and execution of department-sponsored special events, facility rentals, and park shelter reservations.

Help coordinate event concessions, including ordering, pricing, and setup.

Research and develop new special event ideas, including planning, budgeting, marketing, and execution.

Assist in identifying sponsorship opportunities and maintaining a database of potential sponsors.

Research grant opportunities and assist in the application process as needed.

Contribute to the development of marketing materials and social media campaigns for department events.

Provide support for fundraising events and initiatives for the Parks & Recreation Foundation.

Collaborate with other department managers on tasks as assigned by the Special Events & Fundraising Manager.

Maintain a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, to accommodate special events and community programming.

Typical Qualifications:

Requires possession of a valid Class D Illinois Drivers' License or an equivalent license issued by the employee's state of residence.

No prior experience required, but a strong interest in special events, parks and recreation, tourism, or a related field is preferred.

Ideal candidates are students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Parks & Recreation, Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, or a related field.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage positively with event participants, volunteers, and staff.

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Ability to conduct research and compile reports with recommendations.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic design or social media tools is a plus.

Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of a team.

Professional and positive demeanor when interacting with the public and staff.

Supplemental Information:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate tools and equipment as well as equipment controls reached with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk, hear, and smell. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in outside weather conditions. The employee may work near moving mechanical parts; and is occasionally exposed to wet and slippery surfaces, humid conditions, extreme cold and heat.