CES Event Specialist, UPDATED

Overview

Sonoma State University is seeking a detail-oriented and service-focused Event Specialist to join the Conference and Event Services team. This role supports the planning and coordination of events for students, staff, faculty, and external guests. The team values collaboration, adaptability, and a thoughtful approach to improving processes and enhancing the overall client experience.

Reporting to and under the general supervision of the Associate Director, Conference and Event Services, the CES Event Specialist initiates, coordinates, and executes a variety of administrative and analytical tasks in support of Conference and Event Services accounts. The incumbent is responsible for preparing agreements and contracts, maintaining account relationships, overseeing development, evaluation, and coordination of an event setup to arrival, inputting data into campus scheduling software, catering software, project management software as well as various spreadsheets and forms, recommending product and service enhancements, adhering to internal communication methods, following customer service standards and coordinating product and service deliveries.

The incumbent is expected to use independent judgement to make decisions, interpret and apply department, division, campus and system-wide policies and procedures, perform research when needed, prepare and analyze budgetary and other financial reports, provide support documentation and provide general office assistance in support of the office. Assignments require handling of multiple work priorities and accountability for own work results.

The position requires a significant amount of customer contact and information coordination and contacts involve interaction with all levels inside and outside the university, and may include dealing with sensitive and confidential information.

• Coordinate and support event planning activities for university events, ensuring timely delivery of services to students, staff, faculty, and external guests.

• A bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.
• Working knowledge and experience in event and conference coordination is preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office applications is required.
• Knowledge of Google Suite, People Soft and a variety of web-based scheduling packages such as 25
  
  Live, Social Tables, Trello, and Caterease is preferred.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position, which will lead toward permanent status following the successful completion of a probationary period. The CSU Classification Step Range for this position is $4,799 - $6,992 per month (step 1 - step 20). Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 1, $4,799 a month.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year. Sonoma State University is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer. A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.

This position is offered under the CSU classification and salary structure in effect at the time of posting. Please note that the CSU compensation system for this classification will transition to a step-based structure following implementation effective October 1, 2025. Employees in this classification will move to the step system and the Event and Conference Planner classification after hire, in accordance with CSU guidelines.

For eligible employees, CSUEU collective bargaining agreement Article 17.10 will be honored.

Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community.

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or…