Program Associate, Arts and Culture

The Department of Arts and Culture is seeking well-qualified individuals to fill Program Associate, Arts and Culture vacancies throughout the Department.

A Program Associate, Arts and Culture provides specialized technical program support and administrative, fiscal, and project management services for professional personnel involved in the development and implementation of a comprehensive countywide Arts and Culture program.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this journey-level class typically report to a Senior Program Associate, Arts and Culture or higher-level manager. These positions provide both administrative and specialized program support and are involved in a variety of planning and coordination activities for an Arts and Culture program. Responsibilities include research and analysis of program, policy, and/or operational and organizational issues; monitoring consultant and vendor services, contracts, and grants; coordinating activities related to preparation of the annual budget; and providing staff support for project implementation. Incumbents are expected to utilize analytical and technical skills and abilities to resolve most program-related issues except those which are new or unusually complex in nature. Positions in this class are distinguished from Program Assistant, Arts and Culture by their increased scope of responsibility and independence.

Essential Job Functions
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analyzes and makes recommendations for the management of program functions including program development, processes, budget, and other administrative program-related duties.

Provides staff support at various committee and workgroup meetings.

Provides specialized staff services to facilitate dispute resolution efforts between stakeholders and the Department of Arts and Culture.

Analyzes, recommends, and implements comprehensive systems and protocols to manage and track grant awards or contracts.

Researches funding sources for assigned programs and recommends strategies to increase funding to support long-range Arts and Culture programs and plans.

Provides staff support for the Department of Arts and Culture’s participation in Board and Countywide initiatives including, but not limited to, the Countywide Cultural Policy; Antiracism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative; Alternatives to Incarceration; Workforce and Economic Development; and Care First Community Investment programs.

Conducts administrative studies of programs and practices to evaluate their effectiveness and prepares written findings and recommendations, as requested by program management.

Compiles information from various sources to create and maintain a complex project database(s), and regularly prepares project status and related reports for management.

Coordinates Departmental public information and public relations activities under the direction of a Division Director, Arts and Culture or Head of Marketing and Communications. Provides materials and content for publication to the Departmental website, social media, local and national press outlets, and other promotional platforms.

Facilitates marketing and outreach efforts to increase public awareness of Arts and Culture programs and services by promoting community involvement, coordinating special events, making publication recommendations, and implementing plans for the preparation and distribution of educational and marketing materials.

Researches and provides information regarding workshops and symposiums of interest to stakeholders and the nonprofit arts community.

Assists management with program budget preparation and oversight by maintaining thorough financial records and providing administrative budget tracking, including the management of contracts, encumbrances, and invoices.

Analyzes, recommends, and implements solutions for the development of comprehensive systems and procedures to increase productivity and efficiency in administering program initiatives.

Responds to general inquiries from grantees, artists, producers, consultants, students, and County staff regarding program services and related matters.

Assists with implementation, administration, and evaluation of training and professional development opportunities offered to program participants.

Supervise a small group of employees or consultants in the performance of project or program related activities, as needed.

Participates in data collection, research, and analysis to support research agendas aligned with strategic County policy directives.

Prepares administrative studies, detailed project status reports, and specialized reports, as requested by management, the Arts Commission, Board of Supervisors, or other stakeholders.

Supports communication and collaboration for assigned programs with relevant partners, such as commissioners, arts deputies, County departments, government agencies, community-based organizations, and private establishments.