Job Posting: : Agriculture, Arts and Education Director

22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds

JC-495234
-
: Agriculture, Arts and Education Director
STAFF SERVICES MANAGER II (MANAGERIAL)

$8,715.00 - $9,899.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 12/15/2025

Job Description and Duties

Under the administrative direction of the COO, the duties of the Ag and Education Director, include, but are not limited to, developing and implementing strategies, goals, and plans aligned with the District’s mission and vision, having significant responsibilities in executing, managing, and directing a wide variety of educational, agricultural and competitive exhibits programs for the annual San Diego County Fair as well as overseeing the team planning design and décor and execution of the San Diego County Fair to increase attendance, revenue, community participation, and education, providing support and policy advice managing the activities of the Ag and Education Department, and doing other related work. This position is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Strategic Planning Team that has direct impact on the formulation of District’s policies and collaborates in developing and implementing policies that affect the entire operations of the District.  The position oversees 3 full time managers and 3 full time event coordinators who in turn manage many part-time sub-departments including: Garden Show, Flower Show, Fine Art, Design in Wood, Gems, Minerals & Jewelry, Student Showcase, Home Arts and Collections, Creative Youth, Best of K-6, Livestock, the Farm, Horse Exhibit, Theme Exhibit, Farm 2 U, Toast of the Coast Wine Competition, San Diego Craft Beer Competition, non-profit and law enforcement educational exhibits, Pet Pavilion, Charity Fair Horse Show, Photography, entry programs, fairtime office staff and more.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-495234
Position #(s):
012-000-4969-XXX
Working Title:
: Agriculture, Arts and Education Director
Classification:
STAFF SERVICES MANAGER II (MANAGERIAL)
$8,715.00 - $9,899.00

This position qualifies for a 20% annual pay differential, bringing the total salary range to $125,495-$142,545 annually.

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Diego County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

On behalf of the State of California, the 22nd District Agricultural Association (District) manages and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, its nearby equestrian facility, Horsepark, and the Surf & Turf Recreational Facilities, produces the annual San Diego County Fair, and is home to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club summer and fall race meets. The facilities and programs?are primarily funded through revenues generated by hosting events, the largest being the annual San Diego County Fair. Generations of San Diegans have made the annual fair and race meet part of their summer tradition.?The Fairgrounds hosts a variety of events across three distinct properties comprising its 324 acres: the 212-acre main campus, 48-acre recreational facility, and 64-acre equestrian facility. 

Check us out at?DelMarFairgrounds.com.

Department Website: https://delmarfairgrounds.com

Special Requirements

Must be available to work 5 days per week, Wed - Sunday on any shift between early June and mid July.

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 12/15/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.
Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds
Kaitlyn Findley-Thorn
Attn:
Attn: HR Exams/Certs
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds
Kaitlyn Findley-Thorn
Attn: HR Exams/Certs
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    Statement Of Qualification (SOQ) must include candidates name, and be addressed and numbered in the same order as listed below not to exceed 4 pages.

    Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered as responses to the SOQ.

    1. Describe how your education and experience qualifies you as the best person for this job.
    2. Please describe your background and involvement with fairs or the fair industry? What role do exhibits play in a fair?
    3. Describe your leadership style and approach and your experience leading a team.  Include the number of full-time and part-time or seasonal employees.
    4. Describe how you would grow participation in competitive exhibit programs.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

The ideal candidate is a proven leader with a strategic and entrepreneurial approach, ability to enlist others to achieve goals, an ability to interpret information into action plans and development of exhibits and programs, and understands and embraces the importance of the role competitive, agricultural and educational exhibits and presentations plays in a fair and community.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
  • CalPERS public pension plan
  • Health, dental and vision coverage
  • Generous Vacation/Sick or Annual leave
  • Life insurance
  • 12 paid holidays
  • Retirement savings plans
  • Long-term disability
  • Group legal coverage
  • ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://delmarfairgrounds.com
Human Resources Contact:
Denise Mediavilla
(858) 755-1161 ext: 2010
dmediavilla@sdfair.com

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
22nd DAA - EEO
(858) 792-4293
eeoofficer@sdfair.com
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off