Position Description

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Effective date: January 2014 Review date: January 2015

Position Description

Title Cultural Development and Events Officer

Directorate Community Development

Department Arts and Culture

Location Hawthorn

Classification Band 6

Position code CDLSAUPDCSO

Position purpose

Investigate, develop and deliver innovative programs, events, polices and services that produce quality cultural development outcomes for the Boroondara community.

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Reporting relationships

Reports to: Coordinator, Programming and Development Internal: Events and Marketing Officer

Arts and Culture staff All other Council staff

External: Artists and arts organisations Volunteers

Members of the community Festival committees

Performing art group committees Local community groups

Funding bodies

Locally based businesses Industry networks

Assessment criteria

The position will be assessed against the following items:

 Council Plan

 Business Plan

 Performance review and enhancement program (PREP)

 Risk management

 Boroondara values statements

Duties and responsibilities

Program and Service Development

 Identify, plan and deliver quality cultural development outcomes for the Boroondara community.

 Participate in policy, strategy and project development with other business departments, to ensure a coordinated approach to service provision.

 Program and deliver innovative annual programs and events in indoor and outdoor venues including the development of risk management plans.

 Develop and administer event/program budgets.

 Contribute to the effective promotion of Council's cultural programs and events in collaboration with Council staff.

 Assess and maintain the Arts and Culture portfolio of community grants for performing arts groups, festivals and events and individuals.

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 Be the first point of contact for arts groups and organisations

 Develop training and networking opportunities for arts workers and community arts and cultural organisations.

 Manage projects as required.

Policy and Planning

 Assist as required, in the development of policies and strategic plans for Arts and Culture.

 Identify community needs for cultural facilities, programs and services.

 Monitor trends in community participation, service delivery and policy formation.

 Prepare strategic plans for the development, delivery and coordination of programs and services.

 Examine existing cultural facilities, programs and services and identify gaps in provision, and make recommendations for appropriate action.

 In conjunction with the Coordinator, Programming and Development, develop policies that articulate Council's position with respect to cultural issues

 Encourage and promote participation in cultural activities in Boroondara

Team and Organisational responsibilities

 Prepare reports and presentations to the community and Council as required.

 Actively participate and contribute to a co-operative, positive and motivated Arts and Culture department in support of other planning, programs and services.

 Identify and pursue funding opportunities and prepare grant and sponsorship applications for authorisation.

Management:

 Evaluate and review relevant cultural programs, services and facilities.

 Supervise casual staff, contractors and volunteers associated with events and programming when required.

 Supervise project staff as required.

Administration:

 Prepare written reports as required.

 Prepare annual estimates and monitor relevant Arts and Culture budget lines

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 Prepare Capital and Priority works submissions as part of annual budget estimates process

 Assist and advise community agencies and representatives in securing resources and funding for the provision of arts and cultural services.

 Collaborate with appropriate staff to apply for funding from local, state and federal sources for specific projects and programs.

 Liaise with Council staff, and other community groups to provide an integrated approach to the delivery of arts and cultural services

 Assist the Coordinator, Programming and Development in strategic planning projects as directed

 The City of Boroondara reserves the right to direct officers to undertake such duties that are within their skills, competency and training, that will assist Council to achieve its objectives and provide and effective service to the Boroondara community.

Document management

Document management is a shared responsibility between staff, managers, corporate information and system administrators. ECM is the corporate document management system.

The Council Service Charter requires a final or interim response to incoming correspondence be provided within 10 working days. If an interim response is provided, it will detail when a full response will be provided.

All staff are responsible for making and keeping complete full and accurate records in the Corporate System ECM that adequately document Council business activities and support any decisions made. This further extends to making information available to other staff through ECM improving the overall service provided by Council.

Risk management

 Follow established safe working practices, procedures and instructions

 Take reasonable care for their own OHS and that of their colleagues

 Seek assistance when unsure of practices and procedures to perform a task

 Report all incidents, accidents, injuries, near misses and potential risks as soon as practicable to their supervisor

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Accountability and extent of authority

 The achievement of goals and objectives established for the position

 Quality and timeliness of his/her work

 Input into the development of cultural policy

 Supervision and training of program staff and volunteers

 Ensuring the efficient and effective use of staff and resources in the delivery of a municipal arts and cultural service

 Monitoring of budgets under the control of the position

Judgment and decision making

Exercise judgment, within clearly defined objectives, as to appropriate processes for implementing programs and projects. Creativity and originality will be required.

Guidance and advice are usually available

Specialist skills and knowledge

 Extensive knowledge of current issues, policies and practices in the Community Cultural Development / Event management sector.

 Excellent conceptual skills that result in quality project / event development.

 Extensive experience in development of strategic plans and policies in the field of arts and culture

 Ability to plan and deliver medium scale events relevant to the residents of Boroondara.

 Ability to effectively manage projects within budget and time frames.

 Knowledge and commitment to community development principles.

 Ability to involve the community in the planning and implementation of community programs.

 Ability to prepare and monitor annual budgets for direct areas of responsibility.

 Ability to identify and respond to needs within the community.

 Ability to prepare funding submissions and sponsorship proposals.

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Management skills

 Ability to establish priorities, co-ordinate resources and manage time effectively to achieve objectives within a set timetable.

 Strong administration skills.

 Proven ability to provide training and development to program staff, volunteers and community groups in the provision of arts and cultural services.

Interpersonal skills

 Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 Advanced negotiation and facilitation skills in gaining cooperation from program participants, members of the public, service providers and other employees.

 Excellent presentation skills.

 Commitment to team work and working with community volunteers.

 A positive and collaborative attitude to support achievement of department objectives.

Qualifications and experience

Essential:

 Tertiary qualification in Arts, Cultural Development, Arts Management or an equivalent field.

 Extensive experience in Cultural Development/Arts Management or equivalent field.

 Demonstrated extensive experience in the development of policies and strategic plans

 Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of community cultural programs.

 Demonstrated success in grant application writing, sponsorship and/or fundraising.

 Experience working with volunteers in a committee context.

 Event management experience.

 Experience in the preparation of reports and presentations.

 Demonstrated experience in preparation and monitoring of annual budgets.

 Experience in effectively liaising with high profile business and professional people in order to maximise the profile of support for cultural programs.

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Desirable:

 Post-graduate qualifications in arts management or cultural development.

 Local government experience.

Selection criteria

 A tertiary qualification in Arts, Cultural Development, Arts Management or equivalent.

 Extensive experience in Cultural Development/Arts Management or equivalent field.

 Extensive experience in policy and/or strategy development, preferably in the field of arts and culture.

 Demonstrated broad event management experience.

 Ability to prepare and monitor annual budgets for direct areas of responsibility.

 Experience working with volunteers in a committee context.

 Experience in preparation of reports and presentations.

 Excellent verbal and written communication skills.