Tourist Program Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in tourism, public relations, business administration, hotel/restaurant management, marketing, journalism, or a related program and one year of experience in a tourist development setting such as a visitors and convention bureau or a destination management organization; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status. 
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. 

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required. 

Position Summary

This is responsible administrative work coordinating a program in tourist development to ensure that implementation and prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with specified county objectives.

An employee assigned to this classification coordinates tourist development program activities to bring new dollars to the county by generating leads for group travel, conferences, events and individual travel in the county while ensuring efficiency and compliance with state, county and Tourist Development Council (TDC) standards.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

Examples of DutiesESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS  General

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. 

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including:  integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Confers with staff to explain tourist development program and individual responsibilities for functions and phases of that program.

Prepares program reports for higher level supervisors.

Reviews reports and records of program activity to ensure progress is being accomplished toward specified program objective.

Develops policies and procedures for the program's operation in conjunction with tourist development director.

Coordinates all activities dealing with federal, state and local agencies.

Ensures efficient and effective daily operations of the program.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
CONTENT MARKETING (Includes General Essential Job Functions listed above)

Develops and/or assists in the development, implementation and maintenance of related computer programs.

Develops, manages, and maintains current information for the tourist development program local web page site known as Visitgainesville.com and social media channels.

Maintains local digital photo library for use in advertising and press opportunities.

Works with TV and motion picture site scouts utilizing an inventory of a vast variety of area sites.

Assists in developing and updating social media strategy.

Generates reports specifically from website analytics to determine success of advertising efforts.

Leverages social media to extend and support marketing and communication initiatives.

SALES(Includes General Essential Job Functions listed above)

Implements direct mail and telemarketing to tour operators, travel writers, travel agents and other sellers / promoters of travel.

Conducts sales blitzes with sales and marketing people from area hotel / attractions for travel agents and other sellers of travel in potential feeder cities.

Participates in travel / trade shows meeting with travel packagers.

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties. 

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of current practices and principles of the tourist development program.

Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations related to the program.

Considerable knowledge of marketing, advertising and communication techniques and methods.

Ability to develop and implement operating policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with the public, contractors local business owners and Constitutional Officers.

Ability to attain proficiency in the operation of computer hardware, software and related programs.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and to prepare and organize written reports.

Ability to generate necessary paperwork in accordance with state and local ordinances.

Ability to plan and organize work and manage time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here 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 sit; talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach and to be mobile.

The employee may occasionally move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$50,752.00 Annually