Development Assistant – Chicago Ducky Derby

Description

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to Illinois athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Illinois is dedicated to shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. As a part of the Special Olympics Illinois team, you’ll join an energetic and hard-working group of individuals committed to transforming the lives of those we serve.

What is the Chicago Ducky Derby?

The Chicago Ducky Derby is a signature fundraising event that benefits Special Olympics Illinois. Proceeds from duck adoptions go to support Special Olympics Illinois programming and impacts a community of over 24,000 individuals. Each year, thousands of spectators watch 80,000 yellow rubber ducks splash into the Chicago River in downtown Chicago and race down the river toward the finish line. The duck drop takes place off the Columbus Drive Bridge in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Position Overview

Special Olympics Illinois is actively recruiting for the role of Development Assistant – Chicago Ducky Derby. This role is a temporary part-time, paid position for the summer of 2025. The Development Assistant will be the main point of contact for participants in the Chicago Ducky Derby and serve as a key player in supporting sales and promotional events throughout the summer. The Development Assistant will be responsible for communication with sales teams and participants, executing sales events, and overseeing all event donations, duck adoptions, and souvenir sales.

Primary Responsibilities

• Communicate with and manage sales teams participating in the Chicago Ducky Derby
• Manage logistics for all promotional sales events and serve as the point of contact
• Maintain the souvenir inventory and prepare items needed for sales events
• Serve as “Splash”, our Duck mascot, at promotional events when needed
• Track and organize revenue from souvenirs and duck adoptions at sales events
• Assist in overseeing the event website and manage participant questions and inquiries
• Lead duck adoptions and souvenir sales at the Chicago Ducky Derby on August 7
• Support the Director of Development – Special Events with other event-related tasks as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

• Junior or Senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree (or recent graduate) in a related field strongly recommended (marketing, communications, business/sales)
• High energy and passion for Special Olympics Illinois mission
• Must be comfortable responsibly handling cash and credit card transactions and maintaining confidential information
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and strong computer skills
• Comfortable with driving and navigating throughout the City of Chicago and Chicagoland suburbs
  
  

Requirements

Work Schedule & Requirements

• Based in Chicago office; flexible work schedule with work in multiple locations including Lombard, IL
• This is a part-time temporary role, not to exceed 30 hours per week, to be performed from May 2025 – August 2025
• Reports to Director of Development – Special Events
• Monday through Friday with frequent evenings and weekends as position/event demands
• Independent in-state travel frequently required, including some overnight and weekend travel as an essential function of position
• Physical mobility required: must be able to climb stairs, assist in setup and breakdown at events, stand or sit for long periods of time, and load and unload vehicles
• Medium work required, which involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; requires a good deal of walking, standing, and/or sitting with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls; includes sedentary work
• Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; operating motor vehicles
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required
• Offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a background check