Assistant Director, Fair & Expo

Job Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center is the premier destination event complex in Central Oregon. Its uniquely designed property hosts local, regional and national caliber events. The facility has 340 acres of mixed use space, 300,000 square feet of indoor space, a conference center, and the First Interstate Bank Arena, the largest arena style facility in the region. Regardless of the type or size of event, Deschutes County Fair & Expo is able to play host.

In addition to hosting nearly 400 unique events each year, Deschutes County Fair & Expo is also home to the annual Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo, one of the largest County Fairs in Oregon each year.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:
This is a management or advanced supervisory role responsible for assisting with the leadership and day-to-day operation of the Fair & Expo Center. The position oversees assigned operational areas, including fairgrounds operations, event planning and delivery, facility coordination, logistical services, staff supervision, budgeting support, and stakeholder relations. The working title as Assistant Director exercises independent judgment; manages operational projects, programs, and resources; and may supervise regular, temporary, and seasonal staff, as well as volunteers. The position may oversee assigned operating budgets and support the Fair & Expo Director with planning, policy implementation, vendor and exhibitor coordination, facility use, public engagement, and regulatory compliance.
This position is distinguished from other Fair & Expo Center staff by its management responsibility for assigned operational functions, personnel, and projects and may act on behalf of the Fair & Expo Director when delegated.

Must attach a Cover Letter (no longer than two pages) with specifics about how your professional experience prepares you to meet the qualifications for this role AND a resume detailing job experience and duties at the time of submitting your application.
Key Responsibilities:

• Manage Fair & Expo’s year-round rental business, including supervising sales staff, and meeting budgetary goals.
• Supervise Fair & Expo year-round food and beverage program including supervision of subcontractors, vendors and internal coordination of inventory control and ensure financial controls are in place.
• Assist in planning, directing, and coordinating annual business activities.
• Support development and implementation of operational plans, event timelines, staffing plans, and service delivery standards.
• Coordinate use of fairgrounds facilities for public events, rentals, exhibitions, community programs, and agricultural activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of continuity of operations, emergency response, incident response, safety, security, and special-event plans.
• Coordinate assigned public information, community outreach, and stakeholder communications for Fair & Expo Center operations and events in partnership with the Fair & Expo Director and consistent with County communications policies.
• Represent the Fair & Expo Center in meetings with community groups, partner agencies, advisory bodies, vendors, exhibitors, and the public regarding assigned operations, programs, facilities, and events.
• Promote positive working relationships with agricultural communities, youth organizations, exhibitors, sponsors, community partners, and the public in support of Fair & Expo Center operations, programs, and events.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, emergency procedures, public health requirements, accessibility requirements, and applicable laws, regulations, and county policies.
• Supports the Fair & Expo Director in administering year-round operations, seasonal event delivery, vendor and exhibitor coordination, facility use, public engagement, and compliance with applicable county, state, and federal requirements.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• Principles and practices of fair, event, and public assembly operations.
• Public sector administration and local government service delivery.
• Budget preparation, expenditure monitoring, and basic financial controls.
• Supervision, training, and performance management.
• Contract administration and vendor coordination.
• Facility scheduling, event logistics, and operational planning.
• Safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management practices.
• Customer service and public relations techniques.
• Applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to public events, accessibility, workplace safety, and public operations.

Skill in:

• Managing complex, high-visibility public operations with multiple stakeholders.
• Planning, organizing, prioritizing, and coordinating concurrent projects and events.
• Interpreting and applying policies, procedures, contracts, and regulations.
• Supervising staff and coordinating temporary workers and volunteers effectively.
• Analyzing operational issues and developing practical solutions.
• Working effectively under tight deadlines and during high-demand event periods.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with County employees, elected officials, other regional government agencies, public media, business leaders, and the general public.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking HERE. This position is classified as Operations Manager.

Compensation

$9,664.46 to $12,951.30 per month for a 173.33-hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This position is available immediately.

BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $100 per month for employee only or $121 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

Attention all candidates: please make sure your application includes all job history, education, training, certifications, licenses, and other relevant experience, as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity. Resumes will not be reviewed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Operations Management, Organizational Management, or related field;
• AND five (5) years of relevant experience, including managerial experience;
• OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

Work is performed in a variety of settings including office and onsite locations and involves long hours during and prior to the County Fair and other major events.

• Food handler, OLCC, or other event-related certifications may be required.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

When Are you Eligible:
If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit our Benefits page and click on Employee Benefits or click HERE for full benefits guide.

Closing Date/Time: 11/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific