Inspire Vancouver Program Supervisor

Salary Range

$6,990.00 - $10,486.00

Job Summary

The City of Vancouver is at an exciting turning point, actively investing in the growth of a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem that will define our community for generations to come. The City of Vancouver is seeking a dedicated and creative professional to join our team in fostering a thriving arts, culture, heritage, and science community that reflects the diversity, accessibility, and vibrant identity of our city.

We’re currently recruiting for Inspire Vancouver Program Supervisor. The primary responsibilities for the job are to plan, direct, and implement Vancouver’s Cultural Access Program, and administers the Cultural Access Fund. This position is responsible for strategic program management, grant administration, community engagement, and performance evaluation. Report regularly on program performance and public benefit achieved. Develop and maintain relationships with a variety of public and non-profit organizations. Function as the Inspire Vancouver Program Supervisor responsible for training, directing, organizing, and reviewing work assignments of three program staff and consultants.

This is a full-time, regular exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm.

At this time, this position is eligible for telework or hybrid schedule. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion based on business needs. Telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the City cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

First review of applications on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Pending city council approval.

At the City of Vancouver we are committed to paying our employees fairly, equitably, and competitively. City salaries are structured so that the midpoint of the salary range approximates the amount typically paid for the job in this geographic area. . Candidates with experience supporting their ability to come in and hit the ground running can expect a starting salary around the midpoint of the listed salary range. Actual salary at offer is influenced by a host of factors, including a candidate’s relevant experience, education, licensure and certifications. The higher end of the listed pay range indicates the salary growth potential of the position.

Job Details

• Directs, develops, and implements the Cultural Access Program and manages the Cultural Access Fund. Responsible for overall program strategy, execution, and evaluation; budgeting and monitoring of expenditures; communications and problem-solving. The program will distribute over $6,000,000 annually through a competitive process funding approximately 60 different organizations and initiatives in Vancouver, Washington.
• Develops strategic partnerships to connect, inform, and strengthen program outcomes. Develops and maintains relationships within the local and regional nonprofit cultural community. Seeks programmatic and administrative strategies to lower barriers and facilitate participation especially among small and emerging organizations.
• Responds and adapts to changing program priorities and goals as set by the Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission, Council and the City Manager. Maintain awareness of Cultural Access Programs in other jurisdictions.
• Acts as a liaison to the Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission to make key program recommendations and gain approval including allocation of cultural access funding to meet program objectives, guidelines for evaluating eligibility of cultural organizations to receive funds, and performance evaluation to demonstrate public benefit. Facilitate grant review committees.
• Plans, implements, and manages service contracts with local cultural organizations. Establishes process for addressing concerns with contracted non-profit cultural organizations, including performance issues, appeals and grievances.
• Provides educational resources and workshops to build capacity of potentially eligible organizations for participation. Encourages collaboration, mentoring, and partnerships among non-profit cultural organizations, artists, and other community partners and resources, to extend the reach and impact of cultural programming for the public.
• Works closely with representatives of Vancouver and Evergreen School Districts and community partners to plan, implement, track and evaluate a Cultural Access program within public schools.
• Represents Vancouver’s Cultural Access Program in the community , supervises program communications for effective public education, outreach, inclusion, and transparency. Serves as the primary spokesperson for the program, giving media interviews, leading public presentations, and participating in public events to share information about the program.
• Implements program revisions and updates based on the effectiveness of current program elements. Develops, measures and tracks metrics for success; formulates and utilizes data and available models to monitor and evaluate the City’s progress towards meeting stated program goals. Provides annual reporting through the City’s online data hub.
• Guide program communication strategies to ensure broad awareness of the program in the arts, culture, heritage and science sectors. Ensure that program specific communication efforts including web, social media and media strategies are effective in supporting program values and objectives. Consult with department communications specialist to ensure all communication aligns with City guidelines for branding and accessibility.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in culture and arts program management or similar

• Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Historic Preservation, Art Administration or Communications

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

• Driver’s License

• Ethical community engagement practices
• Principles, procedures, and compliance standards for government-funded programs
• Understanding of arts, culture, heritage and science sectors and their role in community enrichment
• Structure, operations, and funding challenges of nonprofit arts, culture, heritage and science organizations
• Public sector budgeting, auditing, and financial reporting practices
• Best practices for equitable grant distribution, cultural inclusion, and accessibility
• Understanding of systemic barriers and approaches to supporting historically underrepresented communities
• Research methods and data analytics to identify trends and inform policy decisions
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws that pertain to privacy and communication accessibility
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Use of personal computers and basic software

• Excellent written and oral skills with the ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience, including public, commissions and city council
• Skilled in overseeing large-scale public grant processes – from application to award, monitoring and reporting
• Ability to manage multi-million-dollar budgets with fiscal accuracy and accountability
• Cultural Competency: Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and promote inclusive practices
• Ability to develop community partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, representing the diversity of Vancouver
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate long-term program goals and funding strategies
• Capacity to address challenges creatively and adapt to changing priorities or regulations
• Demonstrated proactive organizational skills and attentiveness to details
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple ongoing, routine tasks, and meet deadlines
• Ability to guide teams, contractors or advisory commissions toward shared goals
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform work which requires the application of judgment and discretion
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects
• Ability to work effectively with cross-departmental and multi-organizational teams

• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times

• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
• Responsible for ensuring a safe workplace in compliance with applicable policies, procedures and regulations. Ensures supervised employee review of the City Core Accident Prevention Plan, relevant safety policies and procedures, and training on illness and injury response and specific job-related safety concerns. Reports and appropriately escalates all safety issues and all injuries.

Job Posting End Date

Open Until Filled