Civic Life Program Specialist

SLC Public Library•Salt Lake City, UT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Civic Life Program Specialist designs, leads, and delivers large-scale, system-wide programs and signature cultural events, including Alt Press Fest, Diwali, Spring Festival/Chinese New Year, Día de Muertos, Eid/Ramadan, and Las Posadas. The Specialist manages a portfolio of high-profile events from concept through execution and post-event evaluation, builds community and stakeholder partnerships, and directs the work of support staff and volunteers. The role mirrors the Librarian role in Public Services and supports adult programming across the Civic Life team. Programming is treated as a teaching role. Staff help people learn, test ideas at a small scale, observe participant responses, and improve programs based on what they learn. The Specialist works from the Library’s nine locations and takes programs beyond library buildings to public spaces and other places where people gather. The position advances the Library’s 2026–2034 Strategic Plan priorities of Creating Belonging Through Access and Strengthening Civic Life. It works with city departments, community partners, and local branches to celebrate diverse traditions, activate library and public spaces, and support cultural exchange and community connection. The role may evolve as organizational needs and strategic priorities change.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Event Management, Cultural Studies, Public Administration, Education, Library and Information Science, or a related field, plus experience planning and facilitating large-scale cultural events or community festivals; or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge and skills.
At least 1 year of experience leading and mentoring other experts in end-to-end event project management, including budget oversight, master planning timelines, vendor contracting, and multi-departmental coordination.
Enthusiasm for teaching people of all ages and a genuine interest in working with the public.
Comfort trying ideas, observing responses, and adjusting in the moment.
A record of launching programs or activities and improving them through repetition.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to work with teams and motivate and negotiate with diverse individuals and groups.
Experience taking a leadership role on a workgroup, task force, or project.
Experience mentoring employees or volunteers.
Intermediate knowledge of computers and common software applications, including event management systems, digital scheduling tools, and project management applications.
Ability to travel between library locations and community sites; transportation is required. Personal vehicle users must maintain state-required insurance.
Ability to lift and carry program materials and equipment up to 50 pounds and push or pull carts.
Good hand mobility and coordination; ability to perform repetitive movements, stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift, and potentially stand or sit for extended periods.
Ability to work outdoors during intermittent inclement weather.

Nice To Haves

Experience planning and managing signature, system-wide cultural events and community festivals in public or nonprofit settings.
Experience designing programs with clear learning goals.
Experience delivering programs in a public library, museum, school, or community setting.
Experience activating parks, plazas, and outdoor public spaces through large-scale programming and community events.
Desire to serve children, teens, and adults.
Spanish and/or other non-English language skills.

Responsibilities

Partner with local branch staff to design, plan, and deliver large-scale system-wide cultural programs and community festivals, establishing engagement and cultural learning goals.
Maintain knowledge of cultural traditions, community practices, and festival programming, and advise the library system on authentic, inclusive cultural programming.
Lead, develop, and support adult programming across the Civic Life team and library system.
Create welcoming, safe, and inclusive program environments; handle difficult interactions, resolve problems, and escalate issues when needed.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community leaders, cultural organizations, performers, vendors, staff, participants, and other stakeholders; communicate proactively throughout planning.
Design and deliver programs in parks, plazas, and other public spaces, adapting them for outdoor settings and passersby and helping identify underused spaces for community programming.
Coordinate with Event Services and branch leads on room bookings, stage and audiovisual setup, security, logistics, equipment, and event-day operations.
Direct associates, event staff, and volunteers during major events; mentor team members in logistics, audience engagement, and program facilitation; serve as team lead when the supervisor or Senior Specialist is absent.
Maintain program supplies, kits, and equipment; recommend purchases and track spending against the assigned supply budget.
Collect attendance, outcomes, and participant feedback; use findings to improve programs and share results with the supervisor and Communications.
Manage major-event project life cycles, including master timelines, resource allocation, cross-departmental coordination, contracts, and vendor payments.
Coordinate promotional timelines with Communications, submit publicity requests, review marketing materials, and support effective outreach to target communities across channels.
May lead or participate in committees and workgroups related to Strategic Plan activities.
Perform other assigned or required duties and support other Programming and Outreach division teams as needed.
Maintain professional knowledge and skills through professional reading, webinars, training, and conferences.
Work scheduled days, nights, and weekends and travel between library locations and community sites.