Arts Supervisor I/ II

City of Encinitas; Encinitas (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Encinitas invites applications for a Full-Time Arts Supervisor I/II to lead arts and culture programs in the Cultural Arts Division. You will oversee performing arts events, art exhibitions, and city-wide programs, supervise staff and volunteers, manage contracts and budgets, and collaborate with community partners to deliver inclusive, high-quality cultural services.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, budgeting, scheduling, and contract administration skills, with experience

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in an arts-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing cultural arts programs and special events is preferred.
• Proven ability to supervise staff and volunteers and manage multiple programs and events.

Responsibilities

• Supervises staff and volunteers; assigns work, conducts evaluations, and recommends hiring actions.
• Plans and supervises City-sponsored performing arts events, arts exhibitions, and city-wide events.
• Manages program budgets and contracts; monitors expenditures and prepares budget reports.
• Coordinates marketing and outreach materials; builds relationships with community partners.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budgeting and contracts

Event planning

Communication

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in arts related field

Tools

ActiveNet

Adobe Suite

Job description

Lead. Inspire. Enrich Community Well-Being.

The City of Encinitas is seeking a Full-Time Arts Supervisor I/II to manage arts and culture programs for the Cultural Arts Division. In this impactful leadership role, you will oversee performing arts programs (Music By the Sea, Wednesdays@Noon, Ocean of Poetry), art exhibitions in City facilities and special events (Art Night, Moonlight Beach Concerts) that enhance and enrich the lives of the Encinitas community. This position provides daily operational oversight; supervises staff and volunteers; and ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality, and inclusive services. Responsibilities also include managing program budgets and contracts, maintaining records, coordinating marketing and outreach materials, fostering strong relationships with community partners, and ensuring facilities remain safe, welcoming, and aligned with the City’s commitment to exceptional cultural arts services.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an organized, energetic arts professional with experience managing cultural arts programs and special events. They excel at supervising staff and volunteers, coordinating multiple programs and events, and delivering high-quality, inclusive services for all. They are skilled in budgeting, scheduling, contract administration, and building strong relationships with community partners. Flexible, creative, and customer-focused, they thrive in a fast-paced environment and bring strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.

Candidates with Level II experience demonstrate confidence managing larger-scale operations, complex budgets, commissions, and major recreation facilities.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Encinitas is a scenic coastal city known for its six miles of shoreline, engaged community, and strong commitment to wellness, sustainability, recreation, and the arts. The City fosters a collaborative, supportive workplace culture grounded in public service and innovation.

Employees enjoy excellent benefits and a healthy work–life balance. In this role, your leadership will directly support programs and services that enrich the lives of adults and older adults in our community—helping residents stay active, connected, and engaged.

Essential Duties

• Supervises temporary, seasonal, contract employees and volunteers to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Plans, organizes, conducts, and supervises City-sponsored performing arts events, arts exhibitions, cultural arts events and city-wide events.
• Serves as a liaison with school districts, community agencies, and municipal organizations; solicits and secures sponsorship funding and donations, including materials, equipment, and prizes for events.
• Administers contracts of external vendors, and service providers and monitors contract compliance.
• Participates in departmental meetings; assists in developing and implementing departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Develops and administers assigned program budgets; monitors expenditures and prepares related budget reports; develops, researches, and recommends program expenditures.
• Conducts research related to community needs and programs and prepares related reports; conducts needs assessments and community surveys; evaluates programs.
• Maintains and reviews records for assigned programmatic areas.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

In addition to the responsibilities for a level I position, positions assigned to level II may be responsible for:

• Work assignments that involve supervision on a larger scale of personnel to operate programs (contract employees, independent contractors, volunteers);
• Managing multiple and complex program budgets and handle larger scope of revenues/deposits and expenditures;
• Serving as Staff liaison for City Council appointed Commissions;
• Assisting with preparation of staff reports for City Council agendas;
• Performing unique administration of operations such as ActiveNet proficiency, Adobe Suite software, Division Activity Guide Brochure etc.;
• Assisting in supervision and operations of major recreational facilities (i.e. Community and Senior Center and Pacific View Arts Center);
• Managing a number of complex projects and programs simultaneously.

Knowledge of:

Recreation program planning, administration, and supervision principles and practices; Public relations principles; Marketing theories, principles, and practices; Budgeting principles; First aid methods, practices, and safety precautions; Office administration practices; Recordkeeping practices and principles; Applicable age-appropriate activities, programs, and materials; Principles in focused area of expertise.

Skill in:

Monitoring and evaluating employees; Prioritizing and assigning work; Using a computer and related software applications; Maintaining records; Exercising good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations; Scheduling programs and events; Overseeing recreation program sites and equipment; Planning, developing, supervising, and managing events; Soliciting sponsorships and donations; Evaluating program effectiveness.

Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)

Bachelor’s Degree in an arts related field (art history, arts administration, performance art, fine arts, multimedia arts), or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position such as those listed above.

In addition to the above experience, Level II requirements include:

A combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in an arts related field, and one year of progressively responsible full-time experience related to arts and culture programming including event management, budgeting and supervision. Plus, a minimum of 12 months of work experience in a Recreation Supervisor I level position.

The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, physical disability, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical, TB test and drug and alcohol screening. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.