Department of Innovation Supervisor - County Fair

San Mateo County Event Center; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

San Mateo County Fair seeks a Department of Innovation Supervisor to lead the department during the annual fair, oversee exhibits, plans, and operations, and coordinate staff and volunteers with the Fair staff.

This seasonal role requires organizing check-ins, judging logistics, and liaising with the community to ensure successful contests and attractions, while maintaining program budgets and schedules.

Qualifications

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Knowledge of Constant Contact and EBMS software is a plus.
• Skilled with social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and online communications.
• Strong written and verbal communication; attention to grammar and spelling.
• Experience performing routine clerical tasks and multi-tasking in a public-facing environment.
• Ability to build positive relationships with management, coworkers, clients and customers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all functions and operations of the Department of Innovation.
• Serve as liaison with local culinary community and program participants.
• Attend planning meetings; coordinate Department contest book updates and deadlines.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise volunteers and seasonal staff.
• Secure sponsors for Department contests and activities and manage the department budget.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Constant Contact

EBMS

Social media management

Written communication

Customer service

Organization

Dependability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The SAN MATEO COUNTY FAIR is seeking a Department of Innovation Supervisor to work in a fun and friendly environment for the San Mateo County Fair.

The San Mateo County Fair is a vibrant, annual celebration of community, culture, and local tradition. Featuring a mix of family-friendly attractions—from carnival rides and live entertainment to agricultural exhibits and local artisan showcases—it offers an engaging, festive atmosphere for visitors of all ages. This dynamic event provides a unique opportunity for dedicated team members to be part of an experience that brings the community together and highlights the best of San Mateo County.

This is a seasonal position, and a large portion of pre-fair work can be completed independently from home. Estimated monthly hours are as follows:

July-August: 3-5 hours (Attend monthly meeting) 3-5 hours

September: 10-15 hours (Attend monthly meeting)

October: 10-15 hours (Attend monthly meeting)

November: 10-15 hours (Attend monthly meeting)

December: 10-15 (Attend monthly meeting)

January: 10-20 hours (Attend monthly meeting)

February: 10-20 (Attend monthly meeting)

March: 20-30 (Attend monthly meeting)

April: 30-40 (Attend monthly meeting)

May: 40-50 (Attend monthly meeting)

June: 80-120 - Oversee staff, Volunteers, Department Assistants, receiving, Fair Judging during nine-days of Fair.

Pay is $25.00 per hour.

Job Summary

Supervise the Department of Innovation on behalf of the San Mateo County Fair. Responsible for the implementation of exhibits at the San Mateo County Fair and overseeing the daily operation of the department during the San Mateo County Fair. Oversee setup and take down with fair staff and volunteers.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee all functions and operations of the Department of Innovation.
• Serve as liaison between the Department and the local culinary community, including amateur and professional participants.
• Attend planning and follow-up meetings with Fair staff for the annual Fair, generally one meeting per month from July through April and twice per month during May and June.
• Work with Fair staff to review and revise the Department contest book as needed and ensure all changes are submitted to the Fair Office by established deadlines.
• Coordinate with Fair staff and oversee the Department's entry receiving process.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise Department volunteers and seasonal part-time assistants.
• Recruit qualified judges and provide the necessary information to Fair staff for preparation of judge contracts.
• Secure sponsors for Department contests and activities.
• Work within the approved Department budget and communicate anticipated needs or expenses to Fair staff.
• Submit timesheets, volunteer information, judging sheets, and other required Department documentation to the Fair Office in a timely manner.
• Provide Department layout and space requirements to Fair staff.
• Coordinate the ordering of Department supplies through Fair staff.
• Supervise the planning and implementation of all Department exhibits, contests, displays, and attractions.
• Oversee Department setup, including showcases, tables, pipe and drape, drape colors, equipment placement, and other necessary furnishings or equipment.
• Train Department volunteers and seasonal staff on proper customer service, guest relations, Department procedures, and Fair expectations.
• Following the Fair, inventory Department supplies and equipment, identify items that need to be replenished, and ensure the Department toolkit and supply cabinets are properly organized and ready for the next Fair.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Exhibit Check-in

• Oversee the Department's entry check-in process.
• Arrive early and obtain the Department entry check-in lists from the Fair Office.
• Coordinate with Fair staff to ensure tables are set up throughout the building for placement of exhibits. Clearly label each table with the appropriate class name and Junior, Intermediate, or Senior division to ensure exhibits are placed correctly.
• Set up and organize the Department check-in area, including the check-in table and necessary materials.
• As exhibitors submit entries, verify each entry against the Department check-in lists and make any necessary corrections or updates.
• Ensure Department staff properly complete and securely attach entry tags to all exhibits, verifying that all required information is accurate and complete.

Judging of Exhibits

• Coordinate the scheduling and assignment of judges and recorders for the Department, including arranging replacements for last-minute cancellations or no-shows.
• Prepare judge packets containing the Judge’s Responsibilities, Explanation of the Danish System, and applicable criteria sheets for each class.
• Prepare sufficient copies of all applicable criteria sheets for use during judging.
• Ensure judges complete the appropriate criteria sheet for each exhibit receiving a white or participation ribbon.
• Ensure completed criteria sheets are attached to the corresponding exhibits by the recorder.

Qualifications

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Constant Contact and EBMS software a plus.
• Proficient in all aspects of applicable business social media including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Excellent spelling, grammar and written English skills required.
• Perform routine clerical work. Ability to multi-task including accomplishing administrative tasks while answering the phone and greeting the public.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with management, co-workers, clients and customers using principles of good customer service.
  
• Willingness to be flexible and work with the changing work load, and sudden shifts in priorities without losing focus on the “big picture”.
• Requires a willingness to take on new responsibilities and challenges as well as being open to change and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Strong organizational and follow up
• Requires being responsible, reliable and dependable to fulfill job obligations.
• Work long and irregular hours during the annual County fair and selected events.

Minimum Requirements

• Any combination of education, experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities to perform the responsibilities of this position. High school diploma or equivalent.
• May require possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver’s license and current automobile insurance.

Physical Demands

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.While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to make repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. Is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Must be able to speak, hear and see. Vision requirements are close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.