CITY OF WALNUT CREEK invites applications for the position of:
Program Assistant II - Youth & Camps and Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator
An Equal Opportunity Employer
SALARY: $60,358.22 - $73,503.30 Annually
OPENING DATE: 01/27/23
CLOSING DATE: 02/10/23 05:00 PM
POSITION DESCRIPTION: The City’s Arts and Recreation Department is seeking two highly experienced and self-motivated individuals to fill the positions of
Youth Programs & Camps (Full Time)
Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator (3/4 Time)
Youth Programs & Camps
Be part of a team that supports the development and implementation of relevant, high quality arts education programming for all community members
Coordinate community programs at Center for Community Arts, including youth / teen classes and seasonal camps
Coordinate seasonal camp programs for students ages 5-18 years old
Recruit, retain and manage contract teaching artists and hourly staff for youth / teen programs and seasonal camps
Assist with community-based outreach events such as Family Art Day, Arts After Dark, Holiday, Sale, Youth Art Show, and others
Conduct community outreach activities to engage diverse community members in Center for Community Arts programming
The Program Assistant II reports to the Community Arts Program
Supervisor and works closely with the Community Arts program team. This is a 40 hour per week position, with a four or five day per week schedule, usually between 8 AM and 5 PM, with frequent evening and weekend events, meetings and community participation as needed.
Center for Community Arts Education Program
Center for Community Arts (“Community Arts”) is an integral division of the
Arts and Recreation department of the City of Walnut Creek. With more than 50 years of inspiring creativity through the arts, we are Northern
California's largest provider of community arts education classes and workshops. The Center offers extensive visual and performing arts programming at three sites, primarily at our Shadelands Art Center. Stand-alone workshops, sequential classes, performances, and exhibitions foster artistic development, engagement, and connection within our community.
The Community Arts team works closely together to provide innovative arts classes, workshops, and events for participants of all ages, connecting people through the arts in meaningful ways.
At Community Arts, creativity and exploration are essential to our mission.
We’re committed to provide accessible and high quality arts programs for the community. To support our mission, we’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Program Assistant II to join our team. This person will work in an energetic, fast-paced environment based out of Shadelands Art Center in Walnut Creek, with specific responsibility for coordinating quarterly youth / teen classes, camps and events.
Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator
The City seeks a highly experienced, self-motivated individual for this 30 hour per week (3/4 time) position. The individual in this role will coordinate and manage 4-6 concurrently traveling exhibitions curated by Bedford Gallery. This position is responsible for all aspects of the gallery’s travel program and is the point person for all venues. This position is also an integral part of gallery operations, using industry knowledge to help brainstorm and plan exhibitions and programs.
Bedford Gallery
With nearly 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, it is the largest municipal visual arts facility between the Bay Area and Sacramento and attracts a large annual audience. The contemporary art space is housed in the Lesher Center for the Arts and is a program of the City of Walnut Creek’s Arts + Rec Department. The gallery provides the public with engaging and educational opportunities to learn about innovative visual arts through exhibitions and a rich mix of public programs. The Bedford has a robust volunteer program which includes information services from the Gallery Guild, Docent-led youth tours for K-12 students, adult exhibition tours, as well as public art walking tours (April – November).
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Youth / Teen Programs & Camps
Support the development of relevant, high-quality programming for all community members.
Coordinate and implement the planning, presentation and/or promotion of
Community Arts youth and teen classes, workshops, and camps in cooperation with other staff, contractors, and volunteer groups; supervise and coordinate the activities of teaching artists and volunteers.
Recruit and retain qualified contract teaching artists, staff, and volunteers as needed for program classes, workshops, and camps; provide ongoing training and support for hourly staff and volunteers assisting Community
Arts programs.
Review surveys and needs assessments of program participants; implement necessary adjustments to meet program and participant needs.
Work with program team to implement strategies for increasing program participation opportunities as part of Community Arts’ strategic plan.
Identify and attend community events to engage community members with
Community Arts’ programming.
Prepare print and online program material and communication via
Community Arts website and social media platforms.
Classroom and Program Space Coordination
Assist with the organization of studio spaces and materials including cleanliness, safety, and ordering as needed; support the improvement of facilities to effectively welcome diverse community members.
Maintain program inventory including equipment, supplies and other program materials; source or perform general equipment maintenance; maintain program records.
Establish a warm, welcoming environment for community members while enforcing Community Arts rules, policies and guidelines, and communicating expectations for all groups of students and teaching artists.
Event Coordination
Assist with the coordination of Community Arts outreach events, such as
Family Art Days and appearances at festivals and fairs.
Support Community Arts art sales by working closely with event coordinator, teaching artists and partners.
Support outreach and publicity for Community Arts events; help create and display marketing collateral for Community Arts programs.
Profile of an ideal Youth & Camps Program Assistant II:
Innovative, inquiry-based and entrepreneurial approach
Ability to develop productive relationships with internal and external partners
Experience planning and coordinating classes, camps and community programs, with experience in arts camps and youth / teen programs preferred
Experience planning and coordinating community events
Experience hiring, retaining and overseeing camp and program staff and volunteers
Great interpersonal skills in an environment with extensive public contact with people who are diverse in their age groups, income levels, culture and ethnicity, and ability
Strong planning, collaboration, and project management skills
Excellent verbal and written communicator
Highly organized and detail oriented
Able to organize and maintain schedules and calendars, and create systems for program policies and procedures
Technologically proficient and knowledgeable of design software, social media tools and business applications. Knowledge of Microsoft
Office Suite for business and management operations.
Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator
Pitch, sell and schedule all traveling exhibitions
Lead on all correspondence with venues renting gallery exhibitions and provide expert opinion on gallery curated exhibitions that are best suited for travel
Assist with condition reporting and assemble registration documents, condition reports, installation instructions
Edit and manage traveling exhibition object lists, educational materials, wall labels, etc. and create a press guide for each traveling exhibition
Track condition reports for each exhibition venue for the duration of the schedule
Gather and document all press from venues hosting Bedford shows
Meet with curator and preparator to discuss progress, concerns, and issues with regard to traveling shows
Oversee crating of each exhibition and framing when needed; assist exhibition venues with shipping
Venue site visits as needed and continued outreach and building of venue research list and relationships for selling exhibitions
Profile of an ideal Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator:
Extensive knowledge of the contemporary art world
Experience working in and with arts organizations
Great interpersonal skills and an outgoing personality
Strong organization skills and detail-oriented multi-tasker
Excellent verbal and written communicator
A can-do, independent attitude
Ability to remain calm under pressure
Able to organize and maintain schedules and calendars, and create systems for program policies and procedures
Basic understanding of financial processes within government and/or nonprofit organizations desirable
Promote a positive customer service environment
Extensive knowledge of traveling exhibition industry
Experience handling high priority issues and concerns regarding artwork handling, installation, and repair
Extensive knowledge of contemporary artists, art world trends, art movements, new media, and innovative exhibition presentation
Excellent written and oral communications skills
Experience building and maintaining important business relationships
Strong customer service skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, and the public
Skill and experience with Microsoft and Adobe Suites
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES: Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school and a minimum of two years of experience working in community arts, education, or arts education programs, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above.
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in fine arts, museum studies/management, arts administration, or a related field, and a minimum of four years’ experience working within traveling exhibitions industry is highly desirable for the Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator position.
Special Requirements:
Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to employment, a valid Class C California Driver's License and a good driving record.
Employee may be required to work on weekends and/or evenings.
Depending upon assignment, ability to swim; CPR; Water Safety Instructor
(New Method); Standard First Aid; and/or Basic Life Support certification may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023. Applicants must apply online at www.walnut-creek.org. Applicants possessing the MOST DESIRABLE qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process and an appraisal interview tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2023.
An eligible list will be established as a result of this examination process and will be valid for a period of six months. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process. In addition, applicants can log on to their account and check their current status online.
Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be required to undergo a comprehensive medical exam and a pre-placement drug screen, and are subject to California Department of Justice fingerprinting and a thorough background and criminal check.
If special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the examination process, please provide the Human Resources Division with advance notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request.
As required by law, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service
Workers. As such, all City of Walnut Creek employees may be called upon to assist in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man- made disasters.
Please see the class specification at www.walnut-creek.org for a complete description of this classification's representative duties, requirements, working conditions, and physical requirements.
APPLICATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED AND FILED ONLINE AT: http://www.walnut-creek.org
City of Walnut Creek
Human Resources Department
1666 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Job Types: Part-time, Full-time
Pay: $29.02 - $35.34 per hour
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:
Walnut Creek, CA 94596: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Experience:
Childcare (Preferred)
License/Certification:
First Aid Certification (Preferred)
CPR Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person