ESS Recruiting – Staff Opportunities

Role: Event Coordinator

Announced: 4th September 2021

Location: Based in the Upper Blue Mountains most of the year, with several weeks of remote work between April and August.

Who we are

Event Safety Services is an event management business. We work with event promoters to deliver well-organised and safe events in remote parts of Australia. We work hard to develop and maintain great relationships with local communities.

Our team

We’re a small, multi-skilled team of people from a whole range of backgrounds, from expedition guiding to government work and film production. We’re brought together by our shared optimism, our enthusiasm for wild places, and a genuine desire to create unforgettable events that make the world a better place.

What we do

We take care of many aspects of events on the ground, from overall event and risk management to remote first aid, mapping, communications, volunteer management, logistics, site setup and packdown, sanitation and more. 

We also have a strong – and growing – focus on delivering sustainable events. Leaving the land as we found it, and local communities better off is important to us, and informs all of our decisions. 

While we spend a lot of time on the nuts and bolts of events, planning things to a tee (while preparing for the unexpected!), there’s also a strong human element to what we do. We spend a lot of time in remote parts of Australia, speaking with traditional owners and members of the local community to find out how we can work together and make our events a positive experience for everyone – especially those who generously welcome us onto their land. 

You can read more about our team and the work we do here.

We’re looking for

  • Two Event Coordinators to join us for two iconic Outback events: the Birdsville Big Red Bash and the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
  • You’ll be based in the upper Blue Mountains, with several weeks in remote locations each year.
  • Start date: As soon as possible

The role

You’ll join our friendly, supportive team to work on our biggest events of the year: the Birdsville Big Red Bash and the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash. 

The Bash events are three-day music festivals in the Outback, with an attendance of around 10,000 patrons each. We take care of most of the logistics and operations on the ground, from setting up the site in the weeks before the event, to packing it all down afterwards. 

During the event we have teams responsible for temp fencing, managing the Concert Area, waste management and taking care of the composting loos, to name just a few. Our core crew of around 30 is supported by an amazing team of 500 volunteers. 

You’ll work closely with our Senior Management team, lending a hand with their projects as you build a broad understanding of what we do and how we work together. 

The role itself is extremely varied with a mix of office work, practical jobs, managing teams on the ground and generally supporting the Senior Management team with whatever’s needed. 

There will also be days of physical work when you could be asked to help with anything from loading and unloading trucks to emptying compost loo bins or setting up crowd control barriers.

While some parts of the job are fixed, we’re keen to work with the right applicants to tailor the role to your skills and strengths. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in learning the ins and outs of running remote, expedition-style events in the Outback. 

We’re looking for people who…..

  • Are keen to learn about working on remote events and stick around for a few years. 
  • Are brimming with enthusiasm and positive energy
  • Are creative and solution-focused 
  • Are easy going and enjoy being around people
  • Enjoy the collaborative process and being part of a team
  • Can go with the flow and roll with the punches when necessary
  • Aren’t afraid to muck in and help with the physical work of putting on a show
  • Are looking for an adventure and can take some time out of their everyday lives
  • Are happy to rough it a bit – it can get dusty, hot or cold, and we can’t guarantee a daily hot shower!

Essential skills

  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Are comfortable working on computers, good in Excel.
  • Have a knack for planning and organising
  • Are thorough with an eye for detail – you can dive into a spreadsheet or operational document to work out what’s happening when, what gear you’ll need and who else needs to be involved to make it happen. 

Desired / optional skillsLet us know if you have skills or interests in these areas, training can be provided for some:

  • Site planning and mapping
  • Planning and logistics
  • Interest in sustainability 
  • Graphic design or technical drawing
  • Social media management
  • First Aid certificate/experience
  • LR driving licence or above
  • Research experience
  • Facilitation / group management
  • Outdoor recreation or expedition guiding

How much work, when? 

We’re expecting 2022 will be a big year. April to August will be very busy as we work on three events and spend a total of around 11 weeks in remote areas. 

You can start when you become available, ideally in the next month or so. Initially working a day or so a week in the office at Medlow Bath (or remotely online, depending on COVID), gradually ramping up to 3-4 days a week next year, maybe even 5.  

After 2022 you’ll probably drop to a steady 2-3 days a week, ramping up to 4-5 days a week in the weeks before a big event, with work on weekends and public holidays. 

Conditions and Pay

While you’re working at an event you’ll be staying in shared, roofed accommodation in town for some of the time, and in a tent or swag on site. 

We provide all meals while you’re at the events, and a meal allowance while you’re on the road. The food is good and our awesome catering team is great at accommodating dietary requirements. 

This is a casual position. You’ll be paid an hourly casual rate above the relevant award, which includes extra for work on weekends and public holidays.

How to apply

To apply, please email lucas@eventsafetyservices.com.au with:

  • Your CV 
  • A cover letter that addresses the requirements listed above
  • A little information about you, and what drew you to this position. 

Lucas will be in touch to let you know if we think it could be a good fit. 

For successful applicants, the next step is a Zoom interview.

We encourage people from a diverse range of professional and personal backgrounds to apply.