Community Services and Special Events Manager

Read more about the Parks and Recreation Department here.

THE POSITION

The Community Services and Special Events Manager oversees a dynamic portfolio of community-serving programs and high-profile public events. This position manages multiple programs, teams, and facilities that together form the backbone of the City’s community services offerings.

With a strong emphasis on event planning, permitting, and interdepartmental coordination, this position plays a central role in delivering City-sponsored events and supporting the safe, successful execution of dozens of large-scale public events each year. It is also a highly visible, public-facing role that requires frequent collaboration and communication with the City Administrator’s Office, Mayor and City Council, senior leadership across City departments, nonprofit and business leaders, and community members of all backgrounds. The ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics with professionalism, diplomacy, and responsiveness is essential to success in this position.

Core Program Areas Under Management 

1. Public Special Events 
   Oversee coordination, permitting, and City support for large and small public events, including athletic; sporting; commercial; community and cultural events; parades; festivals and concerts.  Provide high-level facilitation for major citywide events such as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Juneteenth Santa Barbara Celebration, Summer Solstice Parade and Festival, July 4th, Old Spanish Days Fiesta, the Santa Barbara Half Marathon, Milpas Holiday Parade and more.
2. City-Produced Events 
   Lead the planning and execution of the City’s signature events, including the Concerts in the Park series, the Children’s Fiesta Parade, and seasonal programming at the historic Plaza del Mar Park Bandshell.
3. Private Event Rentals and Outdoor Venues 
   Manage staff responsible for weddings, corporate events, and other private rentals at beachfront venues such as the Cabrillo Pavilion and a variety of other City venues.  Oversee group picnic area and outdoor rental logistics in community parks and open spaces.
4. Neighborhood and Community Services 
   Direct operations and staffing for City-run community and neighborhood centers.  Ensure spaces are well-maintained, accessible, and aligned with evolving community needs, including rebuilding senior programming at the newly reopened Louis Lowry Davis Center.
5. Teen Leadership and Development Programs 
   Oversee year-round leadership programs for teens and young adults, including the Santa Barbara Youth Council, the Arts Alliance, and the Job Apprentice Program.
6. Community Gardens 
   Manage staff responsible for the City’s community garden program, including permits and site improvements.
7. Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show 
   Manage operations, permitting, and compliance for this long-standing weekly tradition that supports over 125 local artists showing and selling their works along Cabrillo Blvd.
8. Food Distribution Coordination 
   In partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, support weekly distributions of food and essential supplies to vulnerable populations in partnership with local nonprofits.

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team, including full-time supervisors, coordinators, administrative staff, seasonal employees, and volunteers.
• Provide strategic direction, policy guidance, and operational oversight across all assigned program areas.
• Serve on the Department’s leadership team and work across the Department to advance projects and priorities of the Department as a whole.
• Prepare and manage complex budgets, fee structures, and revenue programs in accordance with City goals and financial policies.
• Work closely with internal City departments and external partners to facilitate safe, inclusive, and high-quality events and services.
• Continuously evaluate program effectiveness, community impact, and operational efficiency.
• Represent program areas to elected officials, boards and commissions, community partners, and the general public.

Ideal Candidate

• The ideal candidate is a creative, strategic thinker and skilled operational leader who is energized by the complexity and visibility of community-facing work. Key qualities include:
• Extensive experience managing special events, civic programs, or public-facing services in a municipal or nonprofit setting.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills across multiple program types and facility operations.
• Strong working knowledge of permitting, public safety, and interagency coordination.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments with a calm, collaborative approach.
• Flexibility and an interest in collaborating with the Department’s leadership team on Departmental goals and priorities
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities and designing programming that reflects their needs and priorities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Recreation Programs Manager is a management level classification, having broad responsibility for a diverse variety of programs and services for recreational users such as adult sports, youth sports, seniors, teens, classes, facility rental, cultural events, and concessions; and neighborhood services provided through community centers. These positions report to the Parks and Recreation Director and support the Park and Recreation Commission, and specific advisory groups. The Recreation Programs Manager is distinguished from the Golf Course Manager by its specialized knowledge of recreational programming, planning and evaluation practices.

PAYROLL TITLE: Recreation Programs Manager

BENEFITS: 

To view our benefits page click here.

Knowledge of:

• Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations, County standards and City Municipal Code, and pertinent regulations and standards pertaining to use of City recreation facilities.
• Theories, principles and practices of recreation programs, event planning, program sponsorship, and leisure management.
• Information sources and trends in the field of recreation programs, special events management, hospitality and neighborhood services.
• Organization, delivery and management principles related to municipal  programs and evaluation practices.
• Research methods and statistical techniques and applications.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Project management principles.
• Supervisory principles and performance evaluation practices; employee motivation techniques.
• Budgeting practices; grant administration practices; purchasing practices.
• Contract administration practices.
• Customer service principles.

Skills:

• Operate computer hardware and use information systems and related word processing, database, spreadsheet, and graphics presentation software programs; operate a calculator.
• Operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and implement community  programs, events, services, and activities, and identify and recommend program development needs and priorities given available resources.
• Develop program goals and evaluate attainment of objectives; establish policies and procedures to address administrative and public needs.
• Train and orient a variety of instructors, volunteers, and contract personnel regarding City recreation programs, community services, facility use, and procedures.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Select, train, supervise, coordinate, and evaluate the work of staff and volunteers.
• Prepare clear, concise, and complete administrative and financial reports.
• Write service contracts and prepare grant applications and sponsorship applications to obtain financial funding.
• Work cooperatively with staff, management, Commission and advisory committee representatives, community groups, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and the general public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Make public presentations.
• Exercise judgment with general policy guidelines.
• Work independently.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional recreation experience, including two (2) years experience in supervision of full-time and part-time professional and support staff.

Education and/or Training:

Bachelor’s degree in recreation, public or business administration, or a closely related field

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

A valid Class C California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City’s Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Certification.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or “See Resume” are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate’s employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

APPLICATIONS MAY ONLY BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE CITY’S JOBS WEBSITE HERE:  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/santabarbara/jobs/4971838/community-services-and-special-events-manager?page=1&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Parks and Recreation Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025.

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.