Salary : $76,572.00 - $114,858.00 Annually
Location : Richland WA, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202200241
Department: Marketing
Opening Date: 06/24/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt

Nature of the Position
** FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICANTS 7/1/25 **

Position Range: $76,572 - $114,858.

Hiring Range: $86,144 - $105,287.

Most applicants' offers will fall within this hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's needs.

OUR MISSION

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) provides exceptional and cost-effective transportation services that consistently exceed customer expectations while promoting the principles and practices of livable communities and sustainable development.

OUR VALUES

We value customer service, collaboration, diversity, fiscal accountability, innovation, sustainability and safety. Employees and representatives of BFT are expected to uphold our values and mission.

NATURE OF POSITION
The Special Events Manager will plan, organize, and execute a broad range of internal staff events and external community-facing engagements. This includes public forums, grand openings, employee recognition events, holiday observances, community outreach efforts, and more. The ideal candidate is a creative and strategic planner with excellent logistical, interpersonal, and communication skills who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

This position requires flexibility and availability outside of standard office hours, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings, as needed for event scheduling.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities/KSA

• Develop and execute an annual event calendar aligned with BFT's strategic goals, organizational culture, and community engagement priorities.
• Manage all logistics for internal events, such as employee appreciation days, training conferences, team-building activities, and holiday celebrations.
• Plan and coordinate external events, including ribboncuttings, public town halls, stakeholder receptions, and community fairs, to promote engagement and foster relationships.
• Serve as the primary liaison for external partners, vendors, contractors, and sponsors associated with event planning and production.
• Cultivate relationships with local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations to amplify the impact of events.
• Collaborate with BFT's marketing, communications, and operations teams to ensure consistent branding, messaging, and operational support.
• Monitor and manage event budgets, invoices, and vendor contracts, to ensure cost-effective delivery.
• Oversee event staffing, volunteer coordination, safety compliance, and accessibility considerations to ensure a seamless event experience.
• Measure and report on the effectiveness and impact of events, using feedback and metrics to inform future planning.
• Represent BFT at community meetings and events as needed to support agency visibility and partnership development.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Budgeting, contract negotiation, and vendor management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and event planning software/tools.

SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY

• Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings, depending on event requirements.
• Ability to travel within the BFT service area and occasionally to regional or national events.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Communications, Public Relations, Hospitality, or a related field. Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in event planning, public engagement, or related project management roles.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with public agencies, nonprofits, or transit organizations. Familiarity with public sector regulations, ADA requirements, and community outreach best practices. Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
Other

• Collaboration: Shares time and knowledge with others; adjusts priorities as circumstances dictate; follows through on commitments, accepts responsibility for actions, resolves interpersonal conflicts constructively.
• Diversity: Demonstrates an awareness and respect of cultural and individual values. Treats all people with dignity, courtesy and respect.
• Fiscal Accountability: Actively contributes to the productivity of the agency; demonstrates good stewardship of company time and resources; displays high standards of ethical conduct.
• Customer Service: Anticipates the needs of internal and external customers; delivers quality work products and services within expected timeframes. Considers and responds appropriately to people in various situations.
• Innovation: Considers new approaches to situations; encourages ideas and improvements.
• Sustainability: Actively encourages environmental benefits and the conservation of natural resources.
• Safety: Adheres to safety related laws, regulations, standards, and practices; performs work in a safe manner; encourages and supports others to be safe while at work.

BFT IS AN EEO EMPLOYER
The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by the full-time Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) Exempt Non-Represented employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent.

Paid Holidays
8 per year
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
GL hours for regular, full-time, and part-time exempt employees shall accrue according to length of service at the rates indicated below: PTO hours accrue based upon the actual number of regular hours worked.

Accrual Rates:
Retirement Plan
All Ben Franklin Transit employees are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Ben Franklin Transit and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. BFT employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 9/1/2024. ()
Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans
Ben Franklin Transit offers two voluntary retirement savings plans. The first option is through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) and is a 457 self-funded plan. The second option is Administered by Mission Square Retirement and is also a 457 self-funded plan. You may enroll in both, one, or neither.

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Ben Franklin Transit offers Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance. BFT currently pays 97.5% of insurance premiums for the employee and 90% for their dependents.

HRA Veba
Ben Franklin Transit provides this employer funded health reimbursement arrangement that can be used for medical expenses.

Life Insurance
Ben Franklin Transit currently pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage ($35,000) for basic life and ($5,000) for accidental death and dismemberment. Employees may purchase Supplemental Life Insurance for employee, spouse and/or dependents through MetLife.

Long Term Disability
Ben Franklin Transit offers long-term disability for employees through WA Health Care Authority Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program.

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been established to encourage employee health and fitness, both at work and at home.

Employee Assistance
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist you and your family members. Our EAP provides counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.

Other Benefits Offered

• Flexible Spending Account (Pre-Tax Deduction for Medical/Dental and Day Care)
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bereavement Leave

01

Please note that all answers must be truthful and supported by the contents in the application. Ben Franklin Transit will verify the validity of each answer. Please select "Yes" to acknowledge.

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of relevant experience as it relates to the essential functions of this position do you have?

• No experience
• 0-1 years experience
• 1-2 years experience
• 2-3 years experience
• 3-4 years experience
• 4-5 years experience
• 5-6 years experience
• 6-7 years experience
• 7-8 years experience
• 8-9 years experience
• 9 or more years experience

03

Describe your experience to support the years of experience you indicated in the question above. If no experience, please put N/A.
04

Please select the option that best describes your level of education.

• Some High School
• High School Diploma / G.E.D equivalent
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Master's Degree

05

Do you speak and write fluently in English and Spanish?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have a valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question