Deputy Fair Manager - Chief Operating Officer
: Job Details :

Overview

Deputy Fair Manager - Chief Operating Officer

Join to apply for the Deputy Fair Manager - Chief Operating Officer role at County of Sonoma

Position Information

Starting Salary Up To $149,145/Annually*

For First Consideration, Apply By August 11, 2025.

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.

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!

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:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
• 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. The formal classification title for this position is Deputy Fair Manager. 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. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

When you join the County of Sonoma, you are invited to explore the beauty of the county; with its coastline, 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.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to 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

• 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 Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Reasonable length responses are preferred; responses that state See Resume or See Application may be considered insufficient.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-###-####), 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. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. 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.