CULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

City-of-Fort-Lauderdale,-Fl; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Management vacation days

Expense allowance $390/month

Job summary

The City of Fort Lauderdale seeks a seasoned Cultural Affairs Officer to lead the City’s arts and culture program, manage public art, and engage with residents, artists, and partners.

The role involves strategic planning, overseeing RFQs/RFPs, budgeting for public art, and cross‑department collaboration to expand equitable access to the arts. This is a senior managerial position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Arts, Management, Public Administration or related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing cultural affairs and professional arts administration.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with designers, artists, engineers, and FDOT to oversee public art installation across city facilities and rights-of-way.
• Oversees acquisition, cataloging, maintenance, and conservation of the city’s public art collection.
• Manages Call-for-Artists RFQs/RFPs, selection panels, and artist contracts.
• Serves as liaison to the Public Art and Placemaking Advisory Board and prepares agendas and staff reports.
• Administers the Art in Public Places Trust Fund, budgets, and long-term funding projections.
• Establishes partnerships with local arts orgs, educational institutions, and cultural divisions.

Skills

Public art program management

Strategic planning

Community engagement

Partnership development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Arts/Management/Public Administration

Job description

City of Fort Lauderdale - Cultural Affairs Officer

The City of Fort Lauderdale is seeking a dynamic and creative Cultural Affairs Officer to help shape, promote, and advance the City’s vibrant cultural identity. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate professional who understands the power of arts, culture, events, and community engagement to create meaningful experiences and strengthen the connection between residents, visitors, artists, and the City.

If you are passionate about arts and culture, energized by community engagement, and ready to help tell the story of one of Florida’s most dynamic cities, the City of Fort Lauderdale invites you to bring your creativity, expertise, and vision to the team.

This is managerial and administrative work directing the City’s Cultural Affairs and Art program; responsibilities also include strategic planning, organization and management of activities associated with City Cultural art venues and/or at places where cultural activity takes place in the City.

This is a non-classified "at-will" position and not subject to Civil Service Rules or any collective bargaining agreement.

This is a Management Category I position which includes ten (10) additional Management Vacation Days and an Expense Allowance of $3 90/month.

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Collaborates with design professionals, artists, engineering staff, and external transportation agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), to oversee the acquisition, design, permitting, site preparation, and installation of public art, sculptures, and monuments across city facilities, parks, and public rights-of-way.


• Oversees the acquisition, cataloging, maintenance, and conservation of the City’s public art collection, ensuring proper preservation standards, inventory audits, and routine assessments for municipal art assets.


• Manages the Call-for-Artists selection process, including the drafting of Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) / Requests for Proposals (RFPs), organizing selection panels, and managing artist contracts and commission agreements.


• Serves as the primary staff liaison to the Public Art and Placemaking Advisory Board, preparing agendas, staff reports, presentation materials, and board recommendations for City Commission consideration.


• Administers the Art in Public Places Trust Fund, developing annual capital program budgets, tracking project allocations, and forecasting long-term funding requirements for public art installations.


• Establishes strategic partnerships with local arts organizations, educational institutions, regional cultural divisions, and commercial districts to foster joint programming and broaden equitable access to the arts.


• Acts as City liaison and forges partnerships with thePublic Art Board,community, the Cultural Arts Foundations, community organizations and other non-profit organizations


• Participates in the development and implementation of a department wide project management framework and operations services tracking and reporting process forpublic art


• Prepares, approves, and presents items (i.e. contract, service agreements, art donations, proposals for public art purchases and cultural events, and maintenance agreements for public art) for consideration of the City Commission


• Develops, implements Citywide art and cultural program, special events to promote the image and awareness of Fort Lauderdale through liaison with community groups, educational organizations and governmental agencies

• Performs related duties as required and as directed.

1. Bachelor's Degree in Arts, Management, Business, Public Administration, Public Relations or related field


2. Must possess at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing cultural affairs and professional arts administration.


3. Additional qualifying experience or completion of coursework at an accredited college or university in a job-related field, may substitute on a year-for-year basis of the required experience or education.


4. At least one (1) year of previous supervisory experience required.


5. Possess or be able to obtain a valid State of Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire.


6. To claim Veterans’ Preference, candidates must attach to the application a copy of military separation papers (DD214) and service-connected disability documentation (if applicable) to meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by Florida Statues. For additional information, please refer to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The position involves medium physical demands, such as exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or 5 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Fort Lauderdale receives a high volume of applications, so not every applicant who meets the minimum qualifications will be guaranteed an interview. Candidates are selected for interviews based on how closely their education and work experience match the specific requirements of the position.

Applicants will be subject to an extensive selection and screening process, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written; oral and performance-based testing; skills assessment; interview; employment check, background investigation; medical examination; and drug screen. For Public Safety positions, the process additionally includes polygraph examinations and psychological evaluations. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

All applicants, including current City of Fort Lauderdale employees, need to fully detail their work experience on the employment application. Applicants must ensure that all required documents submitted are in a format that is acceptable, clear, and legible. It is the applicant’s responsibility to update their online profile with accurate personal information, work history, education, and certifications each time they submit a new application. Incomplete applications may result in disqualification.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, Veteran’s Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace.