Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center has captured the attention of leaders in cities across the country. Our model of creating neighborhood-based environmental education centers energizes urban public natural areas. Located in vibrant public green spaces, our fast-growing organization serves over 200,000 people of all ages annually. Our innovative team of cutting-edge non-profit professionals work in creative, high-energy open offices in state-of-the-art green facilities. The Urban Ecology Center serves socially and culturally diverse communities. We are committed to having a team of employees that reflect the richness and diversity of these communities. 

Our team enjoys many benefits that include a UEC membership, workplace flexibility, a generous PTO program to have time to enjoy the outdoors, health and wellness benefits, and retirement saving plan to name a few! All this and employees who are passionate about achieving our mission of connecting people in cities to nature and each other!

We have an opportunity to join the educational team and are seeking an Event Specialist. Details here:

Position Summary: Join a dynamic team as the Facility Rental & Events Specialist at the Urban Ecology Center, a nationally recognized non-profit environmental community center in the heart of Milwaukee. This part-time position offers the opportunity to help generate funds for the Urban Ecology Center through the facility rental program at all three branch locations: Riverside Park, Washington Park and the Menomonee Valley. As the Events Specialist, you will be responsible for assisting with the success of the rental program as measured by earned income for the center, customer satisfaction, exposure to renters and their guests and furthering the mission of the Urban Ecology Center within the rental program itself. Job duties involve working closely with the Facility Rental & Events Team on growing the rental program at all three locations, directly assisting rental clientele before and during their event as well as backend rental set up, clean up and administrative work. You will work closely with other staff, interns and high school outdoor leaders within the facility rental and community center realm as part of the Facility Rentals & Events team. You may be required to work at all three branch locations, and therefore required to have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license. You will be required to work scheduled events on the weekends (Friday-Sunday), plus evening and weekend hours for potential tours and meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Serve as main point of contact to assist rental clients with executing their event at the Urban Ecology Center
• Work in partnership with Manager and Sales Specialist to understand requirements for each event and provide seamless customer service to clients.
• Assume primary responsibility for executing events for clients by: 
  • Providing excellent customer service to clients through clear communication, creative problem solving and practicing kindness
  • Handling administrative and back end of rentals; event planning, walkthroughs and meetings and taking rental payments
  • Researching eco-friendly vendors (catering, decorators, musicians etc.) and maintain a list to assist clients upon request
  • Training, scheduling, and supervising rental attendants to provide appropriate support for events
  • Doing final checks on the day of the event (e.g. tables, technology) to ensure everything meets standards
  • Overseeing event happenings and acting quickly to resolve problems
• Evaluate event success and submit reports

• Collaborate closely with FR & E team in driving initiatives to build departmental growth, Green/Mission reach, organizational projects, and coordinating large organizational and facility rental events

• Responsible for safety of the facilities and renters/guests during rentals, securing and closing building and setting alarm

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Education/ Training:

• High school diploma or GED certificate is required; higher education (2 years or more) in a related field is preferred
• CPR/First Aid Certification or ability to obtain (UEC can provide training)

Experience:

• Minimum of three years in customer service; direct experience in rental coordination and/or event planning strongly preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people
• Provide excellent quality customer service in dynamic situations 
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
• Ability to excel in moments of ambiguity and make decisions without direction
• Highly organized, decisive, and a quick problem solver
• Commitment to the mission of the Urban Ecology Center 
• A good eye for neatness and detail with willingness to clean the facility when necessary
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office/Google experience required, prior database experience a plus)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (Spanish-speaking a plus)
• Because this position involves potential work at multiple branches, reliable transportation and valid driver’s license is required
• Ability, with reasonable accommodations, to move and lift objects over 50 lbs and able to stand on your feet for an extended periods of time.

Schedules: This position is 20 hours per week. You will be required to work most scheduled weekend events (Friday-Sunday) in addition to evening and weekend hours for tours and meetings. This would make up roughly 12-16 of your weekly hours. Remaining hours would be in-office/remote working time for answering emails, event planning, administrative duties and special projects. Additional Rental Attendant hours may be available during peak rental season that would allow you to go over your 20 hours/week.

Working Conditions

Job Conditions/Work Location: Time will be split between remote work/indoors at a desk with open office / active team atmosphere and moving around inside and outside the facilities with face paced room and furniture set up. Must be willing to work late nights as the lead staff member in the building and ability to work at/travel between all 3 branches.

Physical Requirements: Ability to move heavy furniture up to 50 lbs, carry out garbage and recycling, clean the facility and be on your feet for an extended periods of time

Equipment Used: Computer, copy machine, fax machine, web-based phone system, printer, dishwasher, AV equipment

Supervisory Responsibilities: Responsible for directing other staff and assistants working as attendants at a rental and working with volunteers, high school outdoor leaders and interns. 

The Urban Ecology Center serves a socially and culturally diverse audience. We strive to build a team of employees with similar richness in culture and experience.

To Apply Please:

• Complete application and upload resume and cover letter on our website
• Contact MaryBeth Kressin, Facility Rental & Events Manager at mkressin@urbanecologycenter.org with questions