Job detail for Cultural Affairs Supervisor

City of Santa Monica

Cultural Affairs Supervisor

SALARY

$44.94 - $55.48 Hourly

$3,595.38 - $4,438.62 Biweekly

$7,790.00 - $9,617.00 Monthly

$93,480.00 - $115,404.00 Annually

LOCATION

City of Santa Monica, CA

JOB TYPE

Full-Time Regular

JOB NUMBER

261070-01

DEPARTMENT

Recreation and Arts Department

DIVISION

Cultural Affairs

OPENING DATE

09/21/2026

CLOSING DATE

10/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

SALARY

$44.94 - $55.48 Hourly

$3,595.38 - $4,438.62 Biweekly

$7,790.00 - $9,617.00 Monthly

$93,480.00 - $115,404.00 Annually

LOCATION

City of Santa Monica, CA

JOB TYPE

Full-Time Regular

JOB NUMBER

261070-01

DEPARTMENT

Recreation and Arts Department

DIVISION

Cultural Affairs

OPENING DATE

09/21/2026

CLOSING DATE

10/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Job Summary

Plans, develops, coordinates and promotes cultural arts and community programs and activities. Administers one or more cultural and community arts program areas that include City grant programs to non-profit organizations and artists, planning and coordination of cultural and community events, management of cultural and community facilities and spaces, and public art coordination. Procures, supervises, assigns and reviews the work of staff and/or consultants responsible for the implementation of assigned cultural arts programs.

Representative Duties

Proposes, organizes, schedules, and supervises activities of one or more cultural and community program area(s), including: staffing, facility management , technical and administrative functions, relations with cultural organizations and the general public.

Acts as a resource to the Cultural Affairs Manager on issues related to assigned program area(s).

Keeps abreast of cultural trends and develops programs and activities accordingly. Identifies new programming opportunities and explores potential resources for assigned program area(s).

Develops and implements community outreach strategies for assigned program area(s). Prepares public information and promotional materials, including brochures and pamphlets, website content, social media posts, etc.

Makes outreach presentations to cultural organizations, community groups and residents to gather support and encourage community participation in the City’s arts and culture programming.

Selects, trains, schedules and supervises assigned staff as well as consultants and volunteers.

Prepares and administers program budgets and makes recommendations on budgeting needs as they relate to assigned program area(s).

Prepares and administers RFPs/RFQs, including panel reviews and developing scopes of work.

Serves as a resource for department and City staff, public and private agencies, grantees, consultants, and the community by responding to inquiries and concerns, and interpreting policies, rules, and regulations regarding the assigned program area(s).

Participates in the development, distribution, and review  of participant satisfaction surveys.

Receives, researches, and resolves complaints by program participants and the public.

Serves as a liaison to the Arts Commission and other arts committees, as assigned.

Prepares agendas, gathers and distributes information, and submits minutes.

Ensures that all consultants comply with any related City, State and County rules and regulations.

Ensures that safety requirements are met and followed. Responds to and solves a variety of emergency situations related to arts and cultural programming and events.

Supervises program area(s) activities, maintains records, analyzes information and data, and formulates a variety of recommendations and reports.

Works with the staff to issue contracts and permits, obtain and review insurance documentation, and monitor contract compliance.

Prepares correspondence and completes a variety of forms and applications.

Participates in the development of long-range plans and objectives of the Cultural Affairs Division.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

Cultural policy, standards, practices and issues

Principles of cultural arts program development for diverse communities

Visual, performing, literary and design arts fields

Supervisory principles and practices

Community outreach and marketing strategies

Principles and practices of budgeting, including basic bookkeeping and accounting procedures

Principles and practices of program and event scheduling and booking

Complaint resolution techniques

Effective customer service techniques

Principles of employee supervision

Principles of report writing

Management and Programming of Cultural and Community Facilities:

Principles of facility operations

Principles and practices cultural and art event production of varying sizes and scopes for the community

Sound systems and theatrical lighting systems

Public safety and emergency response

Laws and regulations governing public assembly

Grants/Special Events:

Principles of applying for and managing grants programs

Principles of grants reporting

Principles of special event planning, production and marketing

Public Art:

Public art project management standards and practices

Artist selection procedures

Collection management and conservation standards and practices

Ability to:

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationship with a wide variety of people including cultural groups, youth, volunteers, co-workers, contractors, vendors, and the general public

Negotiate contracts

Analyze and solve problems independently and in a timely manner

Work within tight, frequently changing, and multiple deadlines

Develop, recommend, and implement policies, procedures and regulations

Develop cultural/arts programming

Design and develop a variety of promotional and informational materials

Supervise and train direct-service program staff

Prepare and maintain accurate program records

Work independently and as a member of a team

Perform mathematical computations

Provide effective customer service

Skill in:

Event facilitation

Working effectively with a wide range of individuals and organizations, including artists and youth

The use of personal computers and applicable software applications

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:

Option A

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, arts management, theatrical production, or a closely related field.

Experience: Three years of recent, paid work experience delivering arts and cultural programs. Experience must have included program management, application processing, and the preparation and maintenance of financial records. At least two years of the recent, paid experience must have included supervisory OR one year of leading and coordinating the work of others and successful completion of the City of Santa Monica’s Pre-Supervisory Academy at the time of application.

Option B

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.

Experience: Four years of recent, paid work experience delivering arts and cultural programs. Experience must have included program management, application processing, and the preparation and maintenance of financial records. At least two years of the recent, paid experience must have included supervisory OR one year of leading and coordinating the work of others and successful completion of the City of Santa Monica’s Pre-Supervisory Academy at the time of application.

Option C

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree.

Experience: Six years of recent, paid work experience delivering arts and cultural programs. Experience must have included program management, application processing, and the preparation and maintenance of financial records. At least two years of the recent, paid experience must have included supervisory OR one year of leading and coordinating the work of others and successful completion of the City of Santa Monica’s Pre-Supervisory Academy at the time of application.

Option D

Education: Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency.

Experience: Eight years of recent, paid work experience delivering arts and cultural programs. Experience must have included program management, application processing, and the preparation and maintenance of financial records. At least two years of the recent, paid experience must have included supervisory OR one year of leading and coordinating the work of others and successful completion of the City of Santa Monica’s Pre-Supervisory Academy at the time of application.

Licenses and Certificates:

Ability to obtain and maintain a valid class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.

If you would like for your education to be considered, you must attach a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the filing deadline. Failure to do so will result in your application being evaluated without the education being considered.

Selection Process:

All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding your work history and qualifications for the position. All applications will be reviewed and only those applicants determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Testing may consist of a combination of any of the following and is subject to change as needs dictate: written test, performance test, evaluation of qualifications, oral interview.

If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

Note: Internal staff who submit transfer applications must notify the analyst in charge of the recruitment, via email, upon submission of their transfer application.

Background Investigation:

Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

Inclusion & Diversity Statement

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally rich community.  As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees.  Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities.  Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

EmployerCity of Santa Monica

Address

1685 Main Street, Room 101

P.O. Box 2200

Santa Monica, California, 90401

Phone 310-458-8697

Websitehttps://www.santamonica.gov/departments/human-resources

EmployerCity of Santa MonicaPhone 310-458-8697 Websitehttps://www.santamonica.gov/departments/human-resourcesAddress

1685 Main Street, Room 101

P.O. Box 2200

Santa Monica, California, 90401

Cultural Affairs Supervisor Supplemental Questionnaire* QUESTION 1 The Cultural Affairs Supervisor position requires varying levels of education, including graduation from an accredited college or university. Please select the option below that best describes your educational background.

NOTE: If you would like for you education to be considered, you must attach a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the filing deadline. Failure to do so will result in your application being evaluated without the education being considered.

I have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, arts management, theatrical production, or a closely related field.

I have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.

I have graduated from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree.

I have graduated from high school or have the equivalent educational proficiency.

• QUESTION 2 Select the option below that best represents the amount of recent, paid professional experience you possess in arts and cultural administration, programming, public art, grants administration, cultural facilities, or a closely related field.

Some experience but less than three years

Three years of experience but less than four

Four years of experience but less than five

Five years of experience but less than six

Six years of experience but less than seven

Seven years of experience but less than eight

Eight years of experience or more

• QUESTION 3 The Cultural Affairs Supervisor may have primary responsibility for one or more areas within Cultural Affairs. Please select the area(s) that best represents your primary professional area of expertise and the type of work in which you have the greatest depth of experience and would be most prepared to assume lead responsibility immediately upon appointment.

Cultural Facilities & Venue Management — management, operations, maintenance coordination, rentals, capital improvements, facility planning, budgets, contracts, and/or programming within cultural facilities.

Public Art — public art planning, commissioning, artist selection, contracts, fabrication, installation, conservation, community engagement, policy, and/or collection management; Management of exhibitions and curation.

Grants & Artist Support — development and administration of grant programs, application and review processes, grant agreements, compliance, funding strategies, artist support, and/or nonprofit relationships.

Cultural Programming — development and management of performances, events, community-based programs, artist collaborations, partnerships, and/or cultural initiatives.

Multiple Areas / Cross-Disciplinary Cultural Affairs Experience — substantial professional expertise across two or more of the areas above.

I do not have experience in any of the areas listed above.

• QUESTION 4 Please describe your recent, paid work experience in the area(s) you selected above and briefly explain why it represents your primary area of professional expertise. Be sure to include the approximate number of years you have worked in the area and the scope of your . If you have no such experience, mark N/A.

• QUESTION 5 Please describe your experience in the following Cultural Affairs areas, distinguishing between primary and supporting roles: Cultural Facilities & Venue Management, Public Art, Grants & Artist Support, and Cultural Programming. For each area, briefly note:

• Your role and level of responsibility
• The types and scale of projects or programs you handled
• Any budget or contract oversight
• Your work with artists, community groups, or partners
• Key accomplishments

If you have no such experience, mark N/A.

• QUESTION 6 Please briefly describe the most complex project, program, facility, public art initiative, or grants program you have personally led in the area(s) selected above. Describe the challenge, your role, the decisions you were responsible for, the resources involved, and the outcome.

If you have no experience leading a project or initiative in any of the selected areas, mark n/a.

• QUESTION 7 Select the option below that best describes the amount of experience you possess supervising the work of others.

Some experience but less than one year

One year of experience but less than two

Two years of experience or more

I do not have supervisory experience

• QUESTION 8 Please describe your experience supervising professional staff. Include the titles and number of employees supervised, the functions or programs for which they were responsible, and your experience with hiring, onboarding, performance management, workload allocation, coaching and professional development, and addressing performance issues, as applicable.

If you have no supervisory experience, mark N/A.

• QUESTION 9 How/Where did you hear about this job opportunity? Please include any websites and/or associations where you may have seen the job posting.

• Required Question