Agriculture, Arts and Education Director - Del Mar Fairgrounds

As a highly visible organization that provides public programs in the second largest county in California, has a $550 million economic impact on the greater San Diego County region, and maintains 324 acres of state land within the California Coastal Commission's jurisdiction, the activities of the Fairgrounds are of significant public interest.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer, the Agriculture, Arts and Education Director is a critical factor in the organization’s commitment to community outreach, agriculture and education, with a focus on:

• Presenting impactful competitive and educational exhibits focused on the community, agriculture and arts both during and outside of the annual fair;

• Exhibits planning and management to present professional, well organized exhibitions in a safe and secure manner.

• Building productive working relationships with team members, organizations, non-profits, educational institutions and others.

• Managing a team to achieve the goals of the department and organization.

• Keeping abreast of trends in agriculture, arts and education within and outside of the fair industry.

• Respecting and preserving traditions while seeking and adding new innovative exhibits, procedures, events and programming with an emphasis on positively impacting the community.

Oversight and projects include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting the COO in developing and implementing long and short-range plans, policies, and procedures in the areas of agriculture, arts and education;

• Planning, organizing, administering, and marketing agricultural, arts and educational programs

• Planning and executing community outreach to increase participation;

• Hiring and developing staff who can lead and support the various programs of the Agriculture, Arts and Education Department.

• Collaborate with internal departments to develop programs and procedures for the annual fair;

• Research programs and develop a comprehensive budget for recommendation to the Executive Team; uphold fiscal responsibility and budget management.

• Produce and present information and reports to stakeholders, the Executive Team and the Board of Directors

• Evaluate the success and return on investment of programs.

• Gathering public and stakeholder input in development of future programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Any combination of education and experience that provides needed experience and expertise to carry out the role as described.

• Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques.

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of the organization, government and the public; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and effectively contribute to our Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

Additionally, the ideal candidate is a highly efficient and proven leader with:

• 5 or more years of increasingly responsible experience leading a team or department focused on the design and execution of public exhibits and programs.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in education, agriculture or an exhibit related field of study.

• Experience in planning, organizing and managing exhibit and event layouts for presentation to the public.

• Experience managing and reconciling a livestock auction.

• Understanding of basic marketing practices and procedures to implement in community outreach and encouraging participation.

• Knowledge of trends in agriculture, arts, education, and exhibits outside of the fair industry.

• Knowledge or experience with the logistics and operational elements of fair, exhibit, competitive, educational and agricultural programs that educate the public and accomplish the organization’s mission related to celebration of the community.

• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office

• Familiarity with the San Diego County Fair and/or Del Mar Fairgrounds is a plus.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader with a strategic and entrepreneurial approach, ability to enlist others to achieve goals, an ability to interpret information into action plans and development of exhibits and programs, and understands and embraces the importance of the role competitive, agricultural and educational exhibits and presentations plays in a fair and community.

Application & Selection Process:

Two step process.

Step 1: Visit www.calcareers.ca.gov and create an account. Click on Exam/Assessment Search and search Staff Services Manager II (Managerial). Follow the directions to take the exam/self-assessment for list eligibility.

Step 2: Complete the application package that can be found by visiting this link and submitted electronically using your Cal Careers account. To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, please apply online at: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=329505

To Learn More Visit:

Del Mar Fairgrounds @ delmarfairgrounds.com

San Diego County Fair @ sdfair.com