CULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

DESCRIPTION



The City of Long Beach is seeking an experienced, creative, innovative and collaborative individual who is committed to develop and lead Cultural Affairs in the Department of Library, Arts and Culture.
For more information about this position please click here Cultural Affairs Officer Brochure .

Appointment to this position is expected to be at or below the midpoint $129,001.72 of the salary range, however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization.

THE COMMUNITY

Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles, adjacent to Orange County, the City of Long Beach, California (population 470,000) is frequently described as a series of strong, diverse interwoven smaller communities within a large city. Enjoying an ideal Southern California climate, Long Beach is home to an abundance of cultural and recreational options. The Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, plus a wide variety of other attractions (two historic ranchos, three marinas, and five golf courses), serve to draw 6.5 million visitors a year. The City is also home to California State University, Long Beach, and Long Beach City College. Cal State Long Beach is the second largest university in the state and was recently ranked the No. 3 best-value public college in the nation. Covering approximately 50 square miles, Long Beach is supported by a wide mix of industries with education, health and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, and professional services comprising the highest representation. Known for its livable and desirable neighborhoods, Long Beach was named by America's Promise Alliance as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People two years in a row. While it offers all the amenities of a large metropolis, many say Long Beach offers the added benefit of having maintained a strong sense of community and cohesiveness despite its growth. A superb climate, quality schools, a vibrant downtown, and a wide variety of neighborhoods help make Long Beach one of the most livable communities in the country.

CITY GOVERNMENT

Long Beach, a charter city formed in 1897, is governed by nine City Council Members elected by district and a city-wide elected Mayor. Other elected officials include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The elected officials are elected to staggered four-year terms. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Clerk. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments, excluding those under the direction of a separately elected official, Board or Commission. Long Beach is one of only three cities in California with its own Health Department and one of the very few municipalities with its own Utilities Department (Water and Gas) and Energy Resources Departments.

The City is supported by a FY 2024 total budget of approximately $3.3 billion with a General Fund budget of $719 million. More than 6,000 full and part-time employees support municipal operations with the vast majority being represented by twelve employee associations. To learn more about the City of Long Beach, go to: www.longbeach.gov .

THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Library, Arts and Culture primarily oversees the Long Beach Public Library system. The department’s mission has recently expanded to include Cultural Affairs for the City.

The Long Beach Public Library is made up of 12 libraries, including two signature flagship libraries that were built within the past 15 years. LBPL operates with a fiscal year 2025 budget of approximately $21 million and 200 dedicated staff, and is one of 15 departments administered by the City Manager. Since 1986, LBPL has provided free and equal access to information, education, and community, enabling access to hundreds of thousands of titles and an impressive selection of digital content, books, movies, music, audio books, and more. It supports lifelong learning and academic and career success and works to close the digital divide, support childhood literacy, provide various health services, and create transformative community experiences. The LBPL system has received accolades attesting to its innovation and continued success, particularly at the Billie Jean King Main Library, Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, and Mark Twain Neighborhood Library. In 2017, the system received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service - the highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.

The City of Long Beach and LBPL are committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are, and for the unique skills they bring to their role. Having a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by City departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into its work by supporting staff and community partners. The City is committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Library Director, the Cultural Affairs Officer is an at-will employee who manages the City-wide Cultural Affairs engagement and programmatic efforts as part of the Department of Library, Arts and Culture. The Cultural Affairs Officer will make connections with City and community leaders, build relationships with cultural center and Long Beach Arts Council leadership, research the relationship of the City with community cultural centers, cultural districts, and the Long Beach Arts Council, and supports cultural programs and activities within the Department of Library, Arts and Culture. The position oversees one Clerk-Typist III.

This is a new position, and we anticipate growth in this Division in forthcoming years, expanding the role of library services in support of the growth of arts and culture sector in Long Beach and ensuring equitable access to arts and culture throughout the city.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Build relationships with Cultural Center and Arts Council leadership, community arts and cultural leadership, government agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate the growth of cultural centers and cultural districts within Long Beach;
  
• Establish, nurture and maintain strategic partnerships and relationships with leadership of other City departments to bolster and benefit City cultural affairs activities;
  
• Research and advance partnership framework between Cultural Centers and the City to guide short and long-term development and facility use, including maintenance responsibilities between parties;
  
• Provide expert advice and guidance on cultural matters to stakeholders, including government bodies and community groups;
  
• Explore fund development to support cultural initiatives including public and private grant opportunities;
  
• Liaise with the Office of Equity and the Department Racial Equity Champions;
  
• Oversee the Department Racial Equity Committee;
  
• Oversee eight Library Cultural Celebration Committees and all Library cultural events, programs and activities;
  
• Track, monitor, and report on library cultural program attendance, leveraging information to constantly improve and enhance cultural offerings;
  
• Train and develop staff on DEI issues on a regular basis;
  
• Maintain and update the DEI training section in the Department bi-weekly newsletter;
  
• May develop, implement, and lead arts and cultural programs;
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible full-time experience managing and/or administering arts and/or cultural affairs programs and events, including one (1) year at a lead or supervisory level. Experience managing and/or administering diversity, equity and inclusion programs and events is highly desirable.
  

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Cultural Studies, World Arts and Culture, Arts and Cultural Management, Arts Education, or a closely related field is required.
  
  • Candidates may substitute experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with data management and/or content management systems (CMS) is desirable.
• Knowledge of regional arts and/or cultural affairs community is desirable.
• A Master’s degree is desirable.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is desirable.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:

• Exceptional political acumen and the ability to foster and maintain positive relationships
• Superb conflict management and negotiation skills
• Personable and participative listening, communicative, and collaborative skills
• Proactive and creative problem-solving ability
• Passion for serving the community through their work
• Outstanding cultural competency and emotional intelligence
• The ability to maintain confidentiality
• Self-motivated drive to implement long-range strategies for improving services
• High level of ethics and strong sense of integrity
• Comfortability with public speaking
• Ability to motivate, energize, and support staff
• Ability to effectively deliver programs to audiences of all demographics
• Eagerness to learn about public libraries and their services

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close at 11:59 P.M. (Pacific Time) on Sunday, September 28, 2025. T o be considered, applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and proof of education in PDF format.

Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 6, 2025 (in-person at 200 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802). The final round of interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 13, 2025 (in-person at 200 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802). The selected candidate may be required to go through a background check and a physical examination prior to appointment. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact (562) 570-7126.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act .

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-7126 .

For technical support with your governmentjobs.com application, please contact (855) 524-5627.

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

Retirement:California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% or 2.7% (depending on hire date) @55 for "Classic" members and 2% @62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the compensation limitations set by PERS. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.

Health and Dental Insurance:The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.

Life Insurance:City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.

Disability Insurance:City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Management Physical:Annual City-paid physical examination.

Vacation:Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.

Executive Leave:Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.

Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.

Holidays:Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.

Transportation Allowance:Monthly allowance is allocated by classifications below;

• Department Head $650.00
• Deputy Director/Manager/Director (Harbor/Utilities) $550.00
• Division Officer/Superintendent/ Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA $450.00
• Assistant to Executive / Executive Assistant / Executive Secretary/ Executive Support Staff $300.00

Deferred Compensation Plan:Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation).

• Classic CalPERS Members: The City will contribute a maximum of up to two percent (2%) of base salary* for all qualified Classic CalPERS members.
• Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) CalPERS Members: Effective the second full pay period following City Council adoption, the City contribution will increase from two percent (2%) to three percent (3%) of base salary* for all qualified PEPRA CalPERS members.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA):Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses.

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule:Available (subject to City Manager approval).

Paid Parental Leave: The City provides one hundred and sixty (160) hours of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of salary, for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, regardless of the gender, marital status or sexual orientation of the parent.

Closing Date/Time: 9/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Long Beach

• 5625707057

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