Recreation Services Assistant III (Arts and Culture Specialist)

City of Milpitas; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Milpitas is seeking a Recreation Services Assistant III in Arts, Heritage and Community Engagement. You will support community arts programs, handle event logistics, and assist with exhibitions and tours for residents and visitors.

Strong communication and organizational skills are essential, with some evening/weekend work expected. Ideal candidates have an AA degree in related fields, experience with public outreach, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and registration software.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• At least one year of related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Support Milpitas Community Theatre, Community Choir and Concert Band seasons.
• Assist with art exhibitions, gallery operations and related events.
• Prepare materials for arts commissions and ensure publicity/outreach tasks.
• Work with volunteers, docents, performers and City staff.
• Provide onsite event support in evenings and weekends.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Teamwork

Written communication

Education

AA degree in performing arts, recreation, history, hospitality or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Registration software

Job description

Bring the arts to life for a community of 80,000 at the north end of Silicon Valley.

The City of Milpitas

Incorporated in 1954, the City of Milpitas is a general law city with a council manager form of government and a full service city that includes Police, Fire, and water and sewer utilities. Milpitas is one of the most diverse communities in the Bay Area, and its arts, cultural and heritage programs are how the City celebrates that.

The Department

The Recreation and Community Services Department enriches the community through recreation programs, community and social services, special events, arts and cultural programming, and park and facility rentals for residents and visitors. The Department operates three full service recreation centers and three park buildings and offers cultural arts programs that include the Milpitas Community Theatre, the Milpitas Community Concert Band, the Milpitas Community Choir, the Phantom Art Gallery, the Milpitas Art and Cultural Grant Program, and historic exhibit tours at the Alviso Adobe. The Department also manages the City's Public Art Program and staffs the Arts Commission.

The Position

The Recreation Services Assistant III, assigned to Arts, Heritage and Community Engagement, is the Department's hands on arts and culture specialist.

Under the supervision of a Recreation Supervisor or higher classification, the position supports the Milpitas Community Theatre, Community Choir and Community Concert Band seasons, the Phantom Art Gallery exhibits, the Art and Cultural Grant Program, and events and tours at the City's historic sites. The work runs from planning assistance and production tasks to onsite support with participants, volunteers, docents and City staff, and includes preparing materials for art selection committees and the Arts Commission. This is an advanced journey level class that works independently and may provide technical direction to part time staff and volunteers. Evening and weekend work is part of the assignment.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has produced or supported community arts, cultural or heritage programs and events, is comfortable in front of a group and behind the scenes, and keeps programs organized from registration through the final curtain. They work well with volunteers, docents, performers, commissioners and the public, write clearly for publicity and commission materials, and are proficient with Microsoft Office and registration or publicity software. An AA degree in performing arts, recreation, history, hospitality or a related field and fluency in Spanish, Chinese or Vietnamese are highly desirable.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Under supervision of a Recreation Supervisor or higher classification. May exercise technical supervision over less experienced recreational services personnel. May provide general supervision of volunteers.

When Assigned to Arts, Heritage, and Community Engagement, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist with art, cultural and/or historical events and programs which include but are not limited to planning assistance, production tasks, and onsite support with participants and/or City staff
• Prepares materials for art selection committees and/or Arts Commission, including public outreach, coordinating site visits, installations, and maintenance for the Milpitas Arts Program
• Schedules tours, field trips, programming, and special events at the City's historical sites
• Creates and submits set-up information/details to Facilities, publicity material to Marketing, and registration materials to clerical for art, cultural and/or historical events and programs.
• Provides support, including event and program production tasks, planning assistance, and onsite support for art, cultural and/or historical events and programs.
• Provides support for engagement efforts related to art, cultural and/or historical services
• Assists in directing work with volunteers, for art, cultural and/or historical events and programs, including assisting with curriculum development and training for historical building docents.
• Assist with the Arts Commission meeting preparations and presentations.
• Other duties as required.

When Assigned to Arts, Heritage and Community Engagement, knowledge of:

• Area(s) of specialty.
• Instruction of others in area of specialty.
• Planning and organizing program elements.
• Effective and excellent communication techniques to work effectively with the public.
• Establishing and maintaining program procedures and policies.
• Keeping and maintaining program records.
• Effective techniques for working independently and exercising good judgment.
• Principles and practices for providing customer service.
• Safe work practices when working with cleaning chemicals and facility assignments.
• Basic office procedures.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office products and ability to learn specialty software related to assignments.

When Assigned to Arts, Heritage, and Community Engagement, ability to:

• Perform basic math or problem-solving abilities.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions. Follow safety and health regulations.
• Learn the operation, policies and procedures of the Recreation and Community Services Department.
• Establish, maintain, and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties.
• Work independently, as a team member; recognize, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Communicate tactfully with members of the public and City staff.
• Provide advanced customer service principles and practices.
• Prepare basic report preparation.
• Perform basic personnel and supervisory practices.
• Monitor the work of part-time recreation personnel and/or volunteer staff
• Public speaking/presenting before small to medium size groups
• Learn and comply with applicable City, State, and Federal Laws
• Operation of standard office equipment including word processing and computer equipment.
• Organize, compile and maintain a variety of records, files and reports.
• Work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends as assigned.

LICENSE

• Class C Driver's License
• First Aid / CPR / AED Certification

Required license and/or certification costs (excluding health exams) are covered within the Department's operating budget. Costs associated with retesting due to the employee's inability to pass certification testing, will be the responsibility of the employee.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

• Graduation from high school or tested equivalent; AND
• At least one year of experience performing related work experience in the assigned area.

DESIRABLE

• AA degree in the following areas Hospitality, Facilities Management, Recreation, Performance Arts, History or a related field is desirable.
• Bilingual (Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese) highly desirable.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

A completed City application, a resume and a cover letter are required. Applications submitted without a resume and a cover letter are incomplete and will not be considered. Responses to the supplemental questions must be supported by the Work Experience and Education sections of your application; statements such as "see resume" will not be considered.

CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES ARE CONSIDERED FIRST

This position is represented by the Professional and Technical Employees (ProTech) bargaining unit. In accordance with the ProTech Memorandum of Understanding, Section 32.00, this vacancy is noticed to current City of Milpitas employees and is open to outside applicants at the same time. Current regular employees who have completed their initial probationary period and meet the minimum qualifications will be interviewed by the hiring supervisor and notified of the result in writing before outside applicants are considered. Outside applicants are not interviewed until the internal step is complete.

Oral board interviews are tentatively scheduled for Monday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 16, 2026.

HOW APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED

Applications are reviewed for the minimum qualifications and the required documents. The Recreation and Community Services Department then reviews the responses to the supplemental questions, the resume and the cover letter, and the most qualified candidates are invited to an oral board interview. Finalists are interviewed by the Department. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement to the interview. The examination process, including dates, may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Department. City communication regarding the selection process will be by email; please ensure you have access to the email address on your application. Target start: late January to early February 2027.

Appointment is contingent on a satisfactory background check, including Department of Justice fingerprinting, a tuberculosis screening, and reference checks.

Recruitment contact: Ernest Azevedo, Human Resources, [phone], [e-mail].

BENEFITS

This is a regular, full time position represented by the ProTech bargaining unit, with a five step salary range and a twelve (12) month probationary period. New employees are appointed at Step A. Benefits include CalPERS retirement, medical, dental and vision coverage, paid leave and holidays, and the other provisions of the ProTech Memorandum of Understanding, posted at https://www.milpitas.gov/282/Employee-Labor-Relations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment.

General office environment and to attend meetings at various sites within and away from the City, and have the availability to work off-hour shifts or events as required; sit and/or stand for long periods of time, repetitive hand movement, grasping, and fine coordination in using keyboard and certain tools; twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, squat, lift, push, and carry up to 40 pounds; mobility to lead groups in activities; ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather and temperature conditions; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; climbing ladders up to 20 feet in height with lighting instrument in hand; driving large truck on city street and freeways. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Milpitas employees are Disaster Service Workers and may be required to perform assigned duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department. Applicants who need an accommodation in the application or selection process should contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] by the final filing date.

The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Agency: City of Milpitas, 455 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, California 95035 | 408-586-3090 | www.milpitas.gov