Event Coordinator

Practical Farmers of Iowa • Ames, IA

8d • $46,000 - $53,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Practical Farmers of Iowa is hiring an Event Coordinator to provide leadership, coordination and event planning support across the Farmer Led Education, Farm Viability, Research and Operations departments. The role plans and supports conferences, workshops, member socials, donor events and staff gatherings, and leads planning and logistics for larger outreach booths, including the Farm Progress Show. It also supports front-office operations through invoice processing, phone reception, office protocols and event-supplies and branded-merchandise inventory processes.

The position 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. The coordinator works with support from the office manager and collaborates with colleagues, vendors and other teams to deliver events and support organizational objectives.

This is a full-time position based in the Ames, Iowa, office, with a potential hybrid schedule. It requires at least three days per week in the office; four to five days in the office are preferred. Seasonal travel around Iowa and surrounding states is required. The beginning salary range is $46,000–$53,000, with an annual opportunity for salary increases and position advancement.

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, data-management or web software, and G-suite, and to learn tools such as Airtable.
• 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 with a team.
• Ability to manage many tasks and details while keeping the big picture in view.
• Comfort thriving in a learning environment and working efficiently in fast-paced environments.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
• Solid confidence and self-worth.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with local-food caterers.
• Experience with venue and vendor contracts.
• Knowledge of agricultural conferences and outreach events.
• Experience with audiovisual 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 and menu setting with local foods and products.

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 tasks.
• 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 running efficiently.
• Support phone and door reception responsibilities.
• 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 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.
• Contributions toward spouse or dependent health insurance.
• Stipends for remote workers.
• Reimbursements for fitness costs, CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases.

What This Job Offers

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