Event Coordinator (Temporary)

Practical Farmers of Iowa • Ames, IA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI), a nonprofit organization that supports resilient farms and communities through farmer-led learning, on-farm research, educational content, funding and technical assistance, is hiring a temporary, full-time Event Coordinator. The role is part of the operations department, which supports the organization’s staff and carries out office, internal technology, human resources, legal and grants management functions. With support from the office manager, the coordinator will lead event planning and logistics in collaboration with PFI departments, including Farmer Led Education, Farm Viability, Research and Operations. Events include conferences, workshops, member socials, donor events and staff gatherings, as well as large outreach booths such as the Farm Progress Show.

The position also supports daily front-office operations, including invoice management, phone reception, office visits and event-supplies inventory. It is based in PFI’s Ames, Iowa, office through September 2027, requires at least three office days per week (four to five preferred), and includes seasonal travel around Iowa and surrounding states. A hybrid schedule may be possible. The salary range is $3,833–$4,417 per month, equivalent to $46,000–$53,000 annually.

PFI describes its workplace as flexible, supportive and fast-paced, with professional development encouraged. The organization emphasizes inclusion, mutual respect and equal opportunity. Benefits include employee health insurance with the premium fully paid by the employer, generous paid time off, flexible hours, six weeks of fully paid parental leave and an automatic 5% 401(k) contribution after one year. Specialty benefits may include contributions toward spouse or dependent health insurance, remote-work stipends, and reimbursements for fitness costs, CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases.

Requirements

• Understanding of event-management roles, tasks and conference coordination.
• Experience with event spatial setup.
• Ability to match event types and activities with desired outcomes.
• Experience creating and managing event budgets.
• Experience working at trade shows, outreach booths, conferences and other events.
• Strong event-planning and logistics-coordination skills.
• Time-management and work-planning skills, including prioritization, triage and planning ahead.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to adapt to different software, including Microsoft Office and data-management or web software such as G-suite, and ability to learn Airtable and other tools.
• Data-entry skills.
• Ability to anticipate and solve challenges for attendees and staff before and during events.
• Ability to meet deadlines and give and receive feedback constructively.
• Dependability and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage many tasks and details while keeping sight of the big picture.
• Ability to thrive in a learning environment and work efficiently and effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
• Solid confidence and self-worth.
• Consistently produces high-quality work.
• Ability to work from the Ames, Iowa, office at least three days per week, with four to five days preferred, and travel seasonally around Iowa and surrounding states.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with local-food caterers.
• Experience with venue and vendor contracts.
• Knowledge of agricultural conferences and outreach events.
• Experience with audio-visual setup.
• Volunteer recruitment and management experience.
• Knowledge of PFI’s audience.
• Event-design experience.
• Inventory-management experience.
• Self-motivated and outgoing approach, including initiating communication with colleagues and vendors.
• Appreciation for and passion for PFI’s organizational mission.
• Appreciation for and passion for sourcing local foods and products and setting menus.

Responsibilities

• Plan events that promote awareness of PFI membership and program opportunities.
• Collaborate with the membership team to plan the Farm Progress Show, Iowa Ag Expo and other major booths.
• Coordinate PFI staff involvement in outreach booths.
• Update and follow project-management timelines and task plans.
• Provide on-site registration and staffing support as needed.
• Coordinate local-food purchases for events when needed.
• Coordinate venue and caterer logistics when needed.
• Independently organize specific components of PFI’s annual conference.
• Provide technology support for events.
• Submit invoices and process incoming invoices and monthly bills.
• Coordinate on-site visits to the PFI office from partners and funders.
• Implement office protocols to keep the front office organized and operating efficiently.
• Support phone and door responsibilities in the office.
• Implement processes and protocols for organized procurement and handling of PFI-branded merchandise.
• Take on other duties as assigned or volunteer to support department or team projects.

Benefits

• Employee health insurance with 100% of the employee premium paid by the employer.
• Generous paid time off.
• Flexible hours.
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• Automatic 5% 401(k) contribution after one year of employment.
• Professional-development opportunities.
• Specialty benefits that employees can use toward wellness, sustainability and financial goals, including possible contributions toward spouse or dependent health insurance, remote-worker stipends, and reimbursements for fitness costs, CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed