Department: Neighborhood and Business Development
City of Syracuse residency is required for this position. If you are not a resident, you have six (6) months from your date of hire to establish residency.
Job Description
The Nightlife Coordinator is responsible for coordinating public safety, maintenance, and activation efforts within neighborhood commercial and mixed-use business corridors throughout the City of Syracuse, with a particular emphasis on Downtown Syracuse and other areas with active nightlife, dining, and entertainment uses. The incumbent monitors and assesses the condition, activity, and overall environment of streetscapes and the public right of way (ROW) to support safe, vibrant, and well-maintained commercial districts during both daytime and evening hours. This includes facilitating working closely with multiple City departments to deploy resources, implement public investments, and coordinate public safety and code compliance efforts to facilitate improvements to address overgrowth, litter, debris, lighting, wayfinding, storefront activation, and quality-of-life concerns related to nightlife and late-night activity. The role also includes extensive engagement with business owners, nightlife operators, property owners, and community stakeholders, and serves as a liaison between the City and district-based partners. Assignments include fielding requests for assistance and addressing complaints within business corridors; maintaining databases and tracking performance metrics; supporting placemaking and activation initiatives; and assisting with drafting and sharing information related to maintenance schedules, construction timelines, nightlife best practices, and district activation efforts. The incumbent also assists in identifying and implementing new streetscape and placemaking initiatives, including sustainable financial and operational models for ongoing maintenance, activation, and nighttime management. The incumbent performs related work as required and works under the general supervision of the Director of Business Development and will work closely with NBD leadership and the Office of the Mayor on strategic economic development initiatives.
Typical Work Activities
- Coordinate with City departments including Syracuse Police, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Code Enforcement, Fire, and other divisions to address streetscape maintenance, public safety, and beautification efforts in the public right of way (ROW) and public spaces within entertainment districts and commercial corridors.
- Coordinate with City departments for district maintenance and enhancement activities, including overgrowth management, trash and debris collection, lighting issues, and identification of opportunities for additional improvements that support district vibrancy and safety.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and nightliferelated businesses to address quality-of-life, safety, and operational concerns.
- Work with property owners, businesses, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and neighborhood organizations to resolve issues related to noise, crowd management, cleanliness, and general district conditions.
- Utilize and promote reporting tools such as SeeClickFix, IPS, and SYR Cityline to identify and respond to corridor and nightlife-related issues.
- Assist with proactive outreach and engagement related to planned investments, construction impacts, special events, and district activation efforts; work alongside the City Communications Team and Public Information Officers (PIOs) to draft and disseminate updates to impacted stakeholders.
- Support placemaking and district activation initiatives, including temporary storefront activations, pop-ups, outdoor dining, public art, and special events designed to increase foot traffic and economic activity.
- Coordinate quarterly meetings of a “Generation Next” advisory council for ideas and feedback.
- Perform other related projects as assigned, including but not limited to:
- Working directly with businesses, nightlife operators, entrepreneurs, developers, and economic development partners to track and monitor ongoing investments within Syracuse business corridors.
- Drafting and assisting in the preparation of reports, presentations, and office projects related to district conditions, nightlife activity, and economic development.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants, sponsorships, and in-kind partnerships, to support placemaking efforts, as needed.
- Manage administrative aspects of any grant funding, such as developing project budgets, tracking and reporting grant finances, working with stakeholders, ensuring project outcomes.
- Researching, analyzing, and reporting on applicable governmental programs, policies, and legislation affecting business development, placemaking, nightlife, and district management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Highly organized, detail oriented, and ability to multitask and apply critical thinking when needed in creative problem-solving scenarios.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) required.
- Knowledge of ArcGIS, the Adobe Creative Suite, and/or CAD is preferred.
- Ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders, including City of Syracuse staff from various departments, for-profit developers, not-for-profit agencies, and neighborhood-based organizations.
- Must be willing to work outside of standard business hours (8:30 – 5:00 PM) for the Department of Neighborhood & Business Development to perform some duties.
Minimum Qualifications
- A) Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning/development, landscape architecture, or a related field, is preferred but not required.
- B) In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a minimum of five (5) years in a related work field and/or experience with project management/coordination is also deemed eligible.
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
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The Affirmative Action Policy of the City of Syracuse is to provide equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age (18 and over), marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, gender identity or gender expression, sexual or affectional preference or orientation, or any other classified group within the protected class. The City also complies with 31 CFR part 51. If you have a disability for which you wish special accommodation to be made, contact the Office of Human Resources at 315-448-8780 or personnel@syr.gov.
The City of Syracuse may conduct a criminal background check with regard to the employment sought.