New Job Communications Specialist 3 - Senior Event Planner In Minnesota

Working Title: Senior Event Planner
Job Class: Communications Specialist 3
Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 06/23/2023.
• Date Posted: 06/16/2023
• Closing Date: 06/30/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Employ & Econ Development Dept / Employ & Economic Dev-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Comm Off/Support Branch / CO Communications & Marketing
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8am-4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, 20% local, regional travel, with occasional national or international travel
• Salary Range: $28.96 - $42.67 / hourly; $60,468 - $89,094 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible to telework up to five (5) days per week
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

DEED’s mission is to empower the growth of Minnesota’s economy, for everyone, and one of its core values is to communicate early and often. In this important role, you will ensure that value is realized with one of our core constituencies: the press and the public that they inform.

As one of DEED’s two (2) senior event planners, you will be responsible for developing, facilitating and implementing special events, trade show booths, conferences and more that promote DEED initiatives and priorities that help grow Minnesota’s workforce, enhance the development of our business community and ensure Minnesota’s economic competitiveness.

The Senior Event Planner develops, organizes, coordinates and supports DEED-sponsored events and trade shows, generally upwards of fifty (50) plus events a year. The Senior Event Planner will be responsible for event management including, but not limited to, chairing committees, event logistics, hotel and convention center negotiations, catering and event planner services and will assist in marketing activities to support these events. This role also handles related activities such as technical/AV support for events, budget and legal contracts, liability issues, fiscal financial expertise (Procure-It, State of Minnesota Authority for Local Purchase (ALP) Certification, etc.), and vendor relations.

This position gives you the chance to be a part of DEED’s success at a high level. You will work on special agency events at the request of the DEED Creative Director. You will regularly interact with senior leadership, including the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners and program leads to ensure DEED and the State of Minnesota are hosting quality, inclusive events for attendees to appropriately represent the agency and State.

In short, as one of DEED’s Senior Event Planners, you will be part of the team at DEED showcasing Minnesota to our customers in the state, as well as prospective businesses and workers from around the country and world.

This posting may be used to fill multiple positions.

Minimum Qualifications

To receive credit for your education and experience, your resume should clearly describe how you meet each minimum and/or preferred qualification listed, including dates of employment.

At least three (3) years of professional event planning experience including large-scale conferences and trade shows.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

Meeting and space planning expertise and knowledge to recommend course of action when choosing a venue for an event.

An understanding of rental agreements for space, food and beverage orders, and hotel room blocks.

Experience creating, tracking, and managing event budgets.

Ability to write event content and succinct emails for exhibitors, Minnesota delegates, and others.

Experience working with individuals in positions of executive-level leadership.

Incumbent must maintain valid driver's license, & insurance, OR have other reliable transportation and the ability to travel overnight and occasionally out of state or out of country.

Preferred Qualifications

Understanding of accessibility and reasonable accommodation needs, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and section 501C requirements.

Knowledge of state financial regulations around purchasing, procurement, solicitations, and contracting.

Knowledge of tech/Audio Visual (AV) needs for both in-person and hybrid (in-person and virtual) events.

Understanding of exhibit rentals, experience working with freight or drayage companies

Ideally at least five (5) years of professional event planning experience.

The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment with multiple and varied assignments and deadlines.

Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

Resumes of all applicants to this posting will be evaluated against the Minimum Qualifications stated above. If your skills match the required skills for this position, the department may contact you. Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance and education. It includes contact with the applicant's current and/or former employers.

A Criminal Background Check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. A criminal conviction will not automatically remove you from consideration for employment.

When the position requires travel and the applicant drives a state owned or leased vehicle, a driver's license record check will be conducted.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Amber Yang at [email protected].

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Amber Yang at [email protected].

The Department of Employment and Economic Development is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for job opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application and search tools, please contact Karen Lilledahl at [email protected]. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

About Department of Employment and Economic Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the State of Minnesota's principal economic development agency. DEED’s mission is simple: to empower the growth of the Minnesota economy, for everyone. Our state’s economy is diverse and dynamic, enriched by creative entrepreneurs, established Fortune 500 companies, and a labor force that brings the Minnesota values of hard work and integrity to work every day. At DEED we live our values by; focusing on the customer, communicating early and often, seeking solutions, creating inclusion, encouraging new ideas, and being gracious.

DEED Is a Yellow Ribbon Agency. A Yellow Ribbon organization unites and coordinates all key areas within an organization to create a comprehensive network to proactively support servicemembers, veterans and military families.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and indicate what assistance is needed.