The city of Las Vegas invites applications for Visual Arts Specialist II (X). This position fosters strategic programming collaborations and cultural planning initiatives and partnerships; plans, organizes, coordinates, conducts and supervises activities related to cultural outreach, art galleries, visual arts, and public art projects; evaluates program effectiveness; provides technical assistance to and oversee projects for the Las Vegas Arts Commission, the Arts District and other community arts initiatives.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Visual Arts Specialist series is distinguished from the Cultural Specialist series in that it is responsible for art galleries and public and visual art projects, while Cultural Specialists are responsible for community cultural center programming. Incumbents must demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of public art, design, visual art, urban/community planning and art collection management.

Visual Arts Specialist I - This is the first class in the Visual Arts Specialist series. Employees within this class are typically assigned to the visual arts function, including managing art galleries and overseeing various art exhibits. Although the assigned tasks and duties are more routine in nature compared to Visual Arts Specialist II, employees in this class are fully aware of the operating procedures of the work unit and are able to perform a full range of duties with only occasional instruction or assistance.

Visual Arts Specialist II - This is the second class within the Visual Arts Specialist series. Employees assigned to this class are typically responsible for various complex public arts projects, where projects have high citizen or customer visibility, and may be controversial in nature. Employees in this class may also provide lead supervision or act as a direct supervisor over lower level staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Visual Arts Specialist I

Receives direction from supervisory or managerial staff.

Visual Arts Specialist II

Receives direction from supervisory or managerial staff.

May act as a lead worker, exercising functional or technical supervision, including scheduling and assigning tasks, providing guidance, ensuring work is completed according to proper procedure, monitoring work progress, and reviewing results; or may act as a direct supervisor including selecting new employees, monitoring and formally evaluating employee performance, and participating in the discipline and termination of employees.

Type of Examination: A civil service examination will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Rules of the city of Las Vegas. The supplemental questions are the examination. Falsification of information may result in disqualification from a recruitment or removal from a city position. Additional information will not be accepted after the closing date. The supplemental questions are weighted 100% for placement on an eligible list, and must be worked on individually by the applicant only. The supplemental questions of all qualified applicants will be reviewed for placement on an eligible list. The eligible list will remain in effect for a period of 6 months from the date of certification and may be extended for a period of up to 2 years.

ELIGIBLE LIST: You must score 70% or higher on the examination to be placed on the eligible list.

Essential Functions:

1. Plans, directs and coordinates public and visual arts programs to meet the needs of the people in the community. Works with various commissions and boards to implement assigned cultural programs.
2. Develops and maintains positive working relationships with artists, art leaders, local and state government officials, civic leaders, and other community participants.
3. Facilitates artist selection process including the recruitment of qualified jurors; reviews and approves artwork proposals and recommends contracts for artwork.
4. Coordinates facilities, staffing and other logistics for visual arts events.
5. Participates in the preparation and administration of program budgets. Submits budget recommendations. Monitors all financial transactions, expenditures, and identifies and reports potential financial overruns and variances at an early stage. Prepares reports on actual and estimated revenues and expenditures.
6. Negotiates and coordinates a wide variety of professional contracts.
7. Assists with developing and implementing the division policies and procedures; prepares performance statistics and reports.
8. Serves as liaison for the division with other city departments, divisions, public and outside agencies. Represents the division in various committees and work groups. Receives and responds to complex and sensitive issues. Handles inquiries and complaints from start through resolution in an efficient and timely manner.
9. Participates in the procurement process, including researching vendors and assisting with specifications. Monitors and evaluates vendor performance.
10. Assists in developing market materials; performs public relations duties including giving media interviews and presentations.
11. If acting as a lead worker or supervisor, ensures employees adhere to established work methods, techniques and schedules, and comply with applicable city and department policies, procedures, standards and specifications; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
12. Prepares a variety of memorandums and reports.
13. Researches grant opportunities; prepares and submits grant applications.

Marginal Functions:

1. Maintains a variety of automated and manual logs, records and files; performs a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work.
2. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of cultural programming.
3. Attends and participates in community planning meetings for cultural programs and events.
4. May enforce facility rules and regulations.
5. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Visual Arts Specialist I

Experience:

One year of increasingly responsible experience working with art programs.

Training:

Associate's degree from an accredited college in arts or a related field.

May substitute combination of equivalent education and related experience. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.

License or Certificate:

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.

Visual Arts Specialist II

In addition to the qualifications for Visual Arts Specialist I:

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible arts administration experience.

Training:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major in fine arts, public or business administration or a related field.

May substitute combination of equivalent education and related experience. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.

License or Certificate:

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.

Visual Arts Specialist I

Knowledge of:

Basic principles and practices of visual arts programs.
Art gallery procedures, objectives and guidelines.
Principles and practices of cultural services.
Installation and procurement of various artworks.
Basic accounting principles and practices.
Basic record keeping practices and techniques.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Modern office procedures and equipment, including personal computers, word processing and spreadsheet software programs.
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

Manage art projects at various stages of development.
Manage all phases of the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork.
Work independently with minimal supervision.
Prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Competencies:

Core Workforce Competencies

Professionalism - Demonstrates core values by being honest, respectful and positive.

Effective Communication - Expresses verbal and written thought in a clear and understandable manner.

Customer Focus - Demonstrates genuine concern and satisfies external and/or internal customers based on the CLV core purpose and values.

Adaptability - Able to effectively modify behavior to suit changing workforce demands.

Problem Solving - Solves problems by considering all causes, solutions and outcomes.

Productive Partnerships - Develops, maintains and strengthens partnerships with others.

Technical and Safety Expertise - Possesses a depth of knowledge, skill and ability in a technical (job) area.

Visual Arts Specialist II

In addition to the qualifications for Visual Arts Specialist I:

Knowledge of:

Advanced principles, practices and techniques of the visual arts field.
Principles and practices of public art projects.
Principles and practices of working with volunteer boards.
Principles and practices of project management.
Principles of lead supervision and training.

Skills in:

Working with appointed and volunteer commissions and boards.
Developing, administering, coordinating and monitoring program budgets.
Tracking financial balances and expenditures.
Leading, organizing and reviewing the work of staff in the area of work assigned.
Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions and projecting consequences of proposed actions.
Interpreting, explaining and enforcing policies and procedures.

Ability to:

Independently perform the most difficult work assigned.