Event Support Assistant (Customer Service Assistant II)

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $17.40.

The current full hourly range for this position is $17.40 - $21.42.

Join our dynamic Events Team and be part of creating unforgettable experiences for the community. As an Event Support Assistant, you will play a hands-on role in assisting with planning and delivering large-scale regional events and local programs. From setting up event sites and assisting with logistics to supporting volunteers and ensuring smooth operations, every day brings something new and exciting. You will work outdoors and in vibrant, fast-paced environments, collaborating with a passionate team that values teamwork, customer service, and good humor. If you enjoy being active, meeting people, and making a positive impact, this is a fulfilling opportunity to help bring events to life.

This position will directly assist in the production of Parks Tacoma’s three marquee summer events: Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival (June 6–7, 2026), Tacoma’s 4th of July Summer Blast (July 4, 2026), and Mosaic: Tacoma’s Arts and Culture Festival (July 25–26, 2026). In addition, this role will provide operational and logistical support for concerts within the Dune Peninsula Concert Series. Responsibilities may include event setup and teardown, vendor and performer assistance, site operations support, equipment movement, customer service, and coordination with internal and external partners. Candidates must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and be able to work extended hours during event production periods. Flexibility, stamina, and a positive attitude in high-energy environments are essential.

Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are

Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here

Come work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team.  On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information

Provide a high level of customer service to patrons during a variety of events, programs, and rentals. Customer Service Assistants also responsible for providing assistance to Recreation participants and security for the facility. 

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

• Provide information to the public concerning activities, programs, policies, regulations, and schedules. 
• Understand, explain, and enforce facility rules. 
• Effective, professional, and respectful interactions with patrons and team members. 
• Maintain accurate accounting of funds received from patrons. 
• Ensure facility and grounds are kept neat, clean and litter free; perform basic custodial and light maintenance duties. 
• Understand and follow direction given. 
• Assist with set up and take down of rentals, programs, events and other activities.
• Provide a positive attitude toward program participants and staff; encourage and serve as a positive role model for program participants. 
• Escalate problems, concerns, and emergencies to supervisor in a timely manner. 
• Administer first aid as needed. 
• Contribute to an environment of teamwork and respect. 
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals. 
• Perform clerical duties as needed.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance. 
• May operate a Point-of Sale system and other software applications. 
• Analyze situations quickly and provide an effective course of action. 
• Assist staff in other activities, programs and special events as assigned. 
• Ensure proper rental, program, activities and event procedures are followed, both with regard to safety and program guidelines. 
• Communicate important information to other staff as needed. 
• Communicate with supervisor and team; provide written attendance and facility reports. 
• May be responsible to open and/or close facility.
• Ensure program/facility rules, policies and procedures are followed; maintain and enforce safety standards and expectations.
• Operate a Parks Tacoma vehicle.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

• At least 21 years of age. 
• Minimum of 1 year of previous work or volunteer experience with customer service, and/or cash handling responsibilities. 
• Must have a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work variable hours as well as nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by event schedules required.

HOURS/SCHEDULE:

• Up to 29 hours during non-event weeks. Up to 40 hours per week during event weeks. Days and hours vary to serve event related needs.
• Mondays - Sundays (including holidays).
• Fixed term role: Employment expected from May 1st - October 15th, 2026.
• Must be available to work the following events:
  • Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival (June 6–7, 2026)
  • Tacoma’s 4th of July Summer Blast (July 4, 2026)
  • Mosaic: Tacoma’s Arts and Culture Festival (July 25–26, 2026)

• Attention to detail. 
• Communicate effectively. 
• Customer service focus. 
• Positive interactions with all individuals. 
• Ability to handle conflict and solve problems using tact, patience, and courtesy. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the community, and patrons. 
• Ability to navigate emergency situations and make decisions quickly. 
• Anticipate problems and develop contingency plans. 
• Show initiative while performing job tasks. 
• Remain flexible to changing priorities. 
• Meet deadlines and respond timely to achieve common goals. 
• Be receptive to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of influence of one’s own behavior on them. 
• Work effectively with others to achieve common goals. 
• Follow instructions, both written and verbal. 
• Commitment to racial, social, and economic equity issues and working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors.
• Will require driving a vehicle to conduct work.
• Work various schedules including mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends.
• Move throughout Parks Tacoma facilities and buildings. 
• Operate a computer and other office equipment. 
• Bending, stretching, walking, sitting, and standing for extended periods. 
• Ability to prepare written or typed recreational and leisure program material and monitor activities.
• Ability to communicate to conduct program and exchange information with district employees and customers.
• Noise level is moderately loud.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on occasion.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations.

• Possible contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.