Chief Operating Officer - Sonoma County Fairgrounds



Chief Operating Officer - Sonoma County Fairgrounds

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

22/01-0755-O

Department

Sonoma County Fairgrounds (FGS)

Opening Date

01/04/2022

Closing Date

2/7/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

50

Position Information

Building Our Community Through Celebrations, Events, and Traditions.

We Invite You To Join The Sonoma County Fair & Exposition Executive Team As Our Chief Operating Officer! 

Starting Salary Up To $128,357/Year*

We seek a highly skilled manager who has a strong understanding of the various practices and principles of event center operations, fair management, public relations, personnel and financial administration, contract negotiation and administration, and property management practices.

Please view our Sonoma County Fair & Exposition Chief Operating Officer Brochure for further details regarding our Ideal Candidate and the Sonoma County Fair & Exposition, Inc.

What Makes Sonoma County a Great Choice:  
In addition to generous starting pay, expansive opportunities for growth and development, being part of a challenging and rewarding work environment that offers continuous training and education, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are working to better the communities of our region, you can look forward to some excellent benefits*, including:

  • An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $1700 and ongoing education/training opportunities
  • Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
  • Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
  • Contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
  • Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
  • May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of employment
  • Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance
*The annual base salary range for the position is $99,680.85-$121,157.32. In addition to the base salary, the position receives a cash allowance of approximately $600 per month. Combined, the annual salary is $106,880-$128,357. Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.  Employees in this class are in the unclassified service; this class is exempt from the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma as stated in Section 5 of Ordinance No. 305-A as amended. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list. 

When you join the County of Sonoma, you'll also have the freedom to explore the beauty of our county; with its picturesque coastline, majestic redwoods, historic towns, fine dining, award winning wineries, and a wide variety of entertainment and cultural activities. Please visit www.sonomacountyconnections.org and www.santarosachamber.com for additional information about the community.

The classification title for this position is Deputy Fair Manager.
 
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience: Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include significant academic coursework in business management, fair management, marketing, economics, or a closely related field and at least three years of managerial experience overseeing the operations of a fair, arena, convention, large event center, horse racing program, or other multi-year entertainment facility, or other closely related experience in a private or public sector organization responsible for business management, event planning, marketing, contract management, and/or fiscal management activities.  A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business management, fair management, marketing, economics, or a closely related field is desired.
 
License:  Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: principles and techniques of administrative organization and business management; principles and practices of contract negotiation, administration, and management; principles and practices of supervision and personnel management; good business practices and methods.

Working Knowledge of: event planning, coordination and management; principles and practices of Fair business management; general rules and regulations regarding food and commercial exhibit contracts; horse racing laws related to live racing and simulcast racing; resource and facility development procedures; procedures and processes of fiscal management and cash handling systems and controls; customer service policies and procedures; general facility construction and maintenance; principles, practices and techniques of public relations, marketing and sales techniques; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.

Ability to: effectively manage, organize, coordinate, and oversee a variety of Fair and Exposition operations, programs, and services; plan, organize, direct and supervise the work of personnel engaged in Fair operations; negotiate, administer, and manage contracts; manage various fiscal operations; exercise responsibility, initiative, and ingenuity in analyzing and solving administrative problems; determine organizational needs and functional changes in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness; interpret complex laws, mandates, and regulations and apply them to a variety of Fair operations; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain harmonious and collaborative relationships with staff, Fair Board members, other County and governmental officials and agencies, event promoters, and the general public; prepare reports and correspondence; exercise initiative and function with considerable independence; work under pressure and meet established deadlines; work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonomato review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses which state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

This selection procedure will consist of the following examinations: 
  1. Your application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed for possession of the minimum qualifications, and to evaluate coursework, training, experience, knowledge and abilities which relate to this position. This process will determine your score and rank on the employment list. Applicants must attain a minimum passing score of at least 70% on the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination to be placed on the employment list.
  2. Candidates that place in ranks 1-3 will be referred to an initial selection interview by a panel of subject matter experts. The initial selection interview is tentatively scheduled for February 22, 2022.
  3. Candidates identified as best meeting the needs of the organization will be invited to a final selection interview tentatively scheduled for February 23, 2022.
Reference interviews and a background investigation will then be conducted on one or more finalists prior to a final selection.

IMPORTANT NOTES
Due to the selection procedure listed above, it is important that you make every attempt to clearly describe your qualifications for this position. We recommend that you list all employers and positions held within at least the last 15 years in the work history section of your application and to include history beyond 15 years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, please list each position separately. In addition, be sure to respond thoroughly and clearly to the supplemental questions at the end of this job bulletin. The information you provide in your application and supplemental material will determine your score and rank on the employment list.
Resumes can be submitted or inserted into the online application; however they will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed job application and supplemental question responses.
For questions about this recruitment, eligibility for interview travel reimbursement, or our relocation policy, please contact Jennifer Tamayo at (707) 565-2235 or jennifer.tamayo@sonoma-county.org. If you have questions about the position, please contact Michael Margetts at (707) 545-4200 x227.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As the largest employer in Sonoma County, the Board of Supervisors has adopted a vaccination and testing policy to help mitigate transmission of COVID-19. All County employees will be required to either have documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on file or consent to weekly COVID-19 testing.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT
HR Technician: RR 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT*
 
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
 
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
 
Health Plan: Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County paid premium contribution.
 
Cash AllowanceIn addition to monthly salary, a cash allowance of approximately $600 per month.
 
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
 
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
 
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
 
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?
  • Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
  • California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
  • CalJobs
  • CareerBuilder
  • Careers in Government
  • College or University
  • Craigslist
  • DiversityJobs
  • Employee of Sonoma County
  • Facebook
  • Glassdoor
  • GovernmentJobs.com
  • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Sonoma County
  • Indeed
  • Job Fair
  • La Voz
  • Latino Service Providers
  • LinkedIn
  • Los Cien
  • Minority Organization or Group
  • Monster
  • Municipal Management Association of Northern California
  • National Association of Counties (NACo)
  • Press Democrat
  • Sacramento Bee
  • sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
  • Sonoma County Human Resources Office
  • Sonoma County Job Line
  • StartHere!
  • Twitter
  • Veterans Services Office
  • Women's Organization or Group
  • Workplace Diversity
  • ZipRecruiter
  • Other Internet Site
  • Other Publication
02
For this question, and all subsequent questions, please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.

Please describe how your education and experience meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Highlight your managerial experience overseeing the operations of a fair, arena, convention, large event center, horse racing program, or other multi-year entertainment facility, or other closely related experience in a private or public sector organization responsible for business management, event planning, marketing, contract management, and/or fiscal management activities.
  • For education, include your degree(s), certifications, the names of related courses completed, and the number of units earned.
  • For work experience, include job titles, employers' names, employment dates, and a description of your primary duties for each relevant position.
03
Please describe a time when you took a particularly creative approach, or handled a particularly challenging situation, while negotiating interim event contracts. Highlight the situation, challenges faced, and the outcome.
04
Please describe your experience developing and managing a program budget and forecasting for revenues and expenses. Include in your response, the name of your employer, your job title, dates employed, the scope of your responsibilities in the assignment, and the size of the budget.
05
Please describe your experience developing comprehensive marketing plans for a multi-event facility. Highlight your approach to increasing large event, facility rentals.
06
Sonoma County Fair & Exposition, Inc.'s organizational success is realized through strong, positive relationships with the community. Please describe your experience developing relationships with various segments of the community (i.e., business, agriculture, nonprofits) and how you have maintained/fostered those relationships.

Required Question

Agency
County of Sonoma (CA)
Address
575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B

Santa Rosa, California, 95403
Phone
(707) 565-2331