City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Cultural Funding Specialist

Under general supervision, assists with the day-to-day operations of the Cultural Arts Division’s Cultural Funding programs; and coordinates and implements various related activities to promote, support, and integrate cultural arts and equitable economic development.

1. Administers designated phases of contracting within the Cultural Funding Program.
2. Identifies, evaluates, and provides process and program structures, strategies, and improvement recommendations.
3. Designs and implements inclusive community outreach activities to promote the Cultural Funding Program, cultural equity, and related goals and initiatives.
4. Develops and maintains good relationships with the cultural community, cultural contractors, civic leaders, public and private sector partners, the media, and the general public.
5. Assists with the peer panel application review process.
6. Provides leadership, technical advice, subject matter expertise, and general assistance to community members, external consultants, internal department staff, and City management. Under supervision, develops and conducts training and technical assistance delivery through a variety of methods.
7. Collects program feedback on an ongoing basis, prepares responsive revisions to program guidelines, and manages ongoing evaluation and revision of Cultural Arts Program policies, processes, and procedures in consultation with stakeholders.
8. Represents the Cultural Funding Program, as appropriate, at professional meetings of various scopes; and participates in Local, regional, statewide, and national conventions in the field.
9. Ensures that all records and databases are maintained and administered in accordance with applicable laws and City policies; and fields inquiries from City management, the public, and media regarding the Cultural Funding Program.
10. Collects and tracks qualitative and quantitative Cultural Funding Program and contract performance data; and provides statistics, status, and reports regularly and when needed.

• Knowledge of the local arts community and trends in the arts/cultural field nationally, including a variety of cultural policy areas and arts funding best practices aligned with equitable economic development.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of contracting and contract administration.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in high-level communication, and experience in navigating and facilitating productive discussions with a wide variety of participants.
• Skill in using computers and related software, including digital databases for contract monitoring, data reporting, and supporting business needs.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in effective project management and customer service, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and effectively manage work flow to meet deadlines.
• Skill in navigating organizational, community, and team dynamics.
• Ability to cultivate diverse relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and create space for continual inquiry and dialogue.
• Ability to remain flexible in order to handle interruptions and shift priorities when organizational demands require.
• Ability to take initiative and develop solutions quickly and effectively.
• Ability to develop and deliver technical assistance to a variety of audiences, including public presentations.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Arts Administration, Arts, Planning, Economic or Community Development, or related field; plus two (2) years of experience developing and implementing cultural programs and activities, grant-making, community engagement, and/or nonprofit development.
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Art, Arts Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.