What We Do
The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organization with over 40 years of dedication to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. To accomplish this goal the Sanctuary has a twofold mission of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Rehabilitation: We rescue sick, injured, and orphaned native Florida wildlife in Palm Beach County. Our goal is to rehabilitate and release healthy animals back into the wild. Education: 90% of the almost 6,000 patients admitted each year to the Sanctuary’s wildlife rehabilitation center have suffered from some type of human-related injury. Collisions with automobiles, fishing line entanglement, illegal gunshots, poisonings, and electrocutions, are only a small example of the types of injuries that are regularly treated and why education of the public, through our permanent animal collection, is so important.
Position
The Community Events Coordinator in the Marketing Department plays a key role in advancing the mission of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary by planning, promoting, coordinating, and executing events that engage the community, increase awareness of our mission, and support fundraising and environmental education initiatives. This position works within the marketing team and collaboratively with the education team to help drive attendance, enhance community outreach, strengthen brand visibility, and create meaningful guest experiences that reflect the organization’s commitment to wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, and environmental education. Weekends and evenings required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Create, plan and execute a variety of new engaging initiatives at the Sanctuary including community festivals, 3rd party events, donor reception, and assist with membership and fundraising events.
2. Coordinate timelines, logistics, vendor relationships, and setup/breakdown for events.
3. Ensure all events align with the Sanctuary’s brand, mission, and guest experience standards.
4. Coordinate with the Marketing team on event branding, signage, and promotional materials.
5. Assist with promotion of events through email marketing, social media, website updates, and community outreach.
6. Serve as a welcoming, knowledgeable representative for guests, donors, and community partners.
7. Help cultivate relationships with local businesses, sponsors, and community groups.
8. Support efforts to grow attendance, membership, and community awareness.
9. Work closely with Development, Education, Marketing, and Animal Care teams to integrate mission-driven content into events.
10. Coordinate with staff to ensure safe and appropriate use of animal ambassadors when applicable.
11. Assist with sponsorship fulfillment, donor recognition, and event-based fundraising initiatives.
12. Track attendance, engagement metrics, and event feedback to help evaluate marketing effectiveness.
13. Manage event inventory, supplies, and equipment.
14. Ensure compliance with safety standards, permits, and organizational policies.
15. Track budgets and expenses for assigned events.
16. Create and manage ticketing, guest lists, and post-event reporting.
17. Represent Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at community outreach events and networking opportunities.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Event & Operational Skills:
Ability to manage event logistics including timelines, vendor coordination, budgets, and guest flow. Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt quickly during live events.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Computer Skills:
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., DonorPerfect), event registration platforms, and basic marketing tools.
Mission Alignment:
- Interest in wildlife conservation and environmental education
- Ability to represent the organization professionally to donors, guests, and community partners
- Comfort working in an outdoor, mission-driven environment
Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree (B. A. / B. S.) from four-year college or university; or two or more years related experience and/or training.
Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities:
- Must be a self-starter and be able to work independently as well as with a team
- Must have excellent organizational, writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills
- Innovative, creative, flexible
- Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Physical Demands:
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and assist with event setup and breakdown
- Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and around wildlife habitats
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to see color.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, and outdoor weather conditions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to native Wildlife such as birds of prey and small mammals.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.BWS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- Are you available to work weekends?
- Do you have experience with event planning/coordination?
Work Location: In person
