Planning Assistant (Arts & Culture)

City of Salem 98 Washington Street, 3rd Floor Salem, MA 01970

Date Posted:

May 11, 2026

Region:

Eastern Massachusetts Category:

Administrative Type:

Part-Time Planning Assistant (Arts & Culture)

Description:

JOB SUMMARY

The Arts & Culture Planning Assistant will administer both the programming and general facilities managementofOldTownHall andDerbySquare andassistwitheventbookings atEastIndia Square, Lappin Park, and Charlotte Forten Park for both civic and public events. The position is responsible for managing all event booking related tasks including but not limited to: fielding public inquires and being the primary point of contact for all bookingmunications, processing rental documents and applications, maintaining event calendars, updating s and socialmediafeeds, updatingbookingdocuments,managing eventstaff, overseeingsupply orders and cleaning contracts, and facilitating other facilities related tasks. In addition, the position will assist in otherArts&Culture programtasksasneeded.

Position requiressomenights andweekendavailability and requires 'on-call' duties as the primary point of contact for emergency issues during events.

SUPERVISIONRECEIVED

WorksunderdirectsupervisionoftheSenior PlannerforArts&Culture inconjunctionwiththeDirector ofPlanning andCommunity Development.

Performsduties independently under policies and guidance as established by Senior Staff.

Qualifications:

MAJORDUTIES

• Responsibleforbeing thefirstpointofcontact formembersforthepublicseekinginformationon andforschedulingeventsandprogrammingatOldTownHall,Derby SquareandCharlotteForten Park, as well as East India Square and Lappin Park to a lesser extent.
• Bookingevents,calendar managementandoversight,contractfacilitation,events management, special projects, marketing, and other related work.
• Actingastheon-callprimary firstpointofcontactforeventsinemergent situations.
• Occasionalon-siteevent facilitationrequiringsomenightsandweekendworkasneeded.
• Facilitiesmanagementandmaintenanceoversightandcoordination.
• Provide clerical support, including but not limited to, word processing (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), writingpress releases,managingsocial mediaaccounts,updating s,andformaintainingfiles and databases related to arts and culture.
• Collaborating withlocalpartners ontheirartandcultural events.
• OtherArts&Cultureprogram dutiesas assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS,EDUCATIONANDEXPERIENCE

• Ataminimum, thecandidateshouldhaveahighschool diplomaand atleastthreeyears'experience in an administrative, customer support, or eventanizer position or any equivalentbinationof education and experience which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Interestinartsadministration,creative placemaking,artsmanagement,planninganmunity development or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Excellentattentiontodetailananizationalskills areessential.
• Stronginterpersonamunicationskillsanfortabilitywithinteractingwiththepublicand service providers over the phone, in-person, and via email are a must.
• Abilitytoworkonmultiple assignmentsconcurrentlyanmunicateeffectively(bothwrittenand verbal), is critically necessary.
• Strongabilitytoestablishandmaintaineffectiveworkingrelationshipswithco-workers,officials, artists and the public.
• ProficiencywithMicrosoft OfficeSuiteandgenerallystrongputerabilitiesare required.
• Familiaritywithprograms andplatformssuchasVeiwPointCloud,OpenGov,andSmartSheetaplus.
• ValidMADriver's licenseandafavorabledriving record.

PHYSICALDEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employeeisfrequentlyrequired tobemobileanmunicatewithothers.

Additionally,theemployee will be required to lift, move, and carry items up to 50 lbs.

The employee will use typical office equipment.

Reasonableamodationsmay bemade to enable individuals with differing ability levels to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works regular hours in the Planning Department Offices as well as attend and facilitate events at Old Town Hall and outside at Derby Square among other locations as needed .Duties involvebinationofactivitiesinnormaloffice settingaswellasoutdoorfieldandsitework.

Thenoiselevel in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level may increase during events and site visits.

Outdoor field and site work is performed under a variety of weather conditions, including inclement weather.

Attendance at evening meetings and events and occasional travel to meetings and othermunities may also be required.