JOB LOCATION
5th Floor Suite 5500 Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
Why Work for Aurora?
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Hiring Salary: $61,736 - $77,170/year
The deadline to submit an application to this position is January 31, 2026. However, the posting may close quickly and without notice once a qualified pool applications is obtained.
OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT
Department Information
The Library and Cultural Services Departments vision is to empower an environment of lifelong learning and cultural enrichment by stimulating learning and literacy, inspiring creativity, and integrating arts, culture and history into the lives of Aurorans. We have two divisions within the department: Library and Cultural Services, both offering a variety of free programs and services to the community. Please go to www.auroralibrary.org to learn more about the Aurora Public Library.
Library Services Summary
5 locations
Books, CDs, DVDs, magazines
Database and language learning programs
Public computers
Study space
Printing, faxing and scanning services
Community events, programs, and activities for all ages
Cultural Services Summary
Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites
Aurora Fox Arts Center -Theater
Bicentennial Arts Center
Art in Public Places collection (over 240 commissioned pieces around the city)
The People’s Building
Position Information
The Public Art Supervisor plans, develops and implements Aurora’s Public Art Program (AIPP) throughout the city, including related research; arts/artists selection process; management of contracts; installation; maintenance; inventory and collection management; financial oversight; partnerships; staff supervision; as well as Aurora’s Art in Private Development initiatives in Metropolitan Districts and Transit-Oriented Development districts. The Public Art Supervisor liaises with the Arts & Culture Commission and city council committees to ensure that decisions and actions conform to the approved and established policies and procedures.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Oversees all aspects of the Art in Public Places Program (AIPP)
Creates art selection panels and facilitates art selection processes in accordance with AIPP policies and procedures
Oversees artists’ contracts and budgets
Reviews project designs and schematics for quality, technical code and compliance, and scope of work
Provides written content and imagery for information materials and application documents for distribution to artists and organizations for selection processes
Oversees the development and implementation of the Public Art 5-Year Plan and provides updates as appropriate.
Reviews and evaluates operations, policies and procedures, and makes recommendations for modifications.
Supervises the development of AIPP publications such as the Collection Guide, the 5-Year Plan, the Art 2C brochure, content for Aurora Creates, the public art website, etc.
Develops or oversees the development of the public art presentations to various groups.
Supervises staff oversight of computerized inventory and informational files on the city’s Public Art collection
Oversees finances maintained by Library and Cultural Services’ Business Operations Manager
Oversees the planning of dedication ceremonies in partnership with host department(s), agencies, or organizations
Advises or supervises others in advising private developers in the creation and implementation of public art plans and presents them to the Director of Library and Cultural Services for approval
Supervises AIPP staff
Supervises the planning and organization of temporary art exhibits in city facilities
Liaises and orients with the Art & Culture Commission
Supervises the recruitment, training and coordination of volunteers to present AIPP information
Performs other related duties as assigned
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in art administration, studio arts, art history, architecture, landscape design/architecture, urban planning or a directly related field.
Experience:
A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in arts administration including at least two (2) years of experience in the field of public art
At least one (1) year of experience in public speaking with public boards and commissions
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in related fields preferred
Knowledge:
Knowledge of art materials, process and fabrication techniques, and art exhibition standards
Understanding of art history, aesthetics, and principles of design
Planning and administration of Public Art Programs including best practices and conservation
Budget and financial management
Contractual and insurance agreements
Community engagement
Skills:
Strong interpersonal and managerial skills including staff supervision and performance management
Leadership and motivation skills in relationship to staff, citizen boards and commissions, and community groups
Computer and application-based skills
Strong customer service skills
Public relations skills
Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors
Strong skills in written and verbal communications
Abilities:
Interact with individuals of varying social, cultural, economic, professional and educational backgrounds
Meeting facilitation and consensus building
Manage multiple projects and programs and simultaneously
Compile and analyze statistical data and prepare related reports
Research and conceptual development
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
Direct and effectively engage a diverse constituency
Budget development and oversight
Creative problem solving and a solutions-oriented perspective
Long- and short-term planning and implementation
Licenses and Certifications Required:
None
WORKING CONDITIONS
Essential Personnel:
When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
Physical Demands:
Light work requiring the ability to lift no more than 20 lbs. at a time
Occasional lifting, carrying, walking and standing
Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees, citizens and vendors
Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard
Work Environment:
Works primarily indoors but may work outdoors overseeing art installations, program or outreach events in varying weather conditions, some occasional exposure to dust, fumes and chemicals
Equipment Used:
Uses standard office equipment, including a personal computer and common office software such as email, Internet, Word, Excel and project management software
Use of tools commonly used for exhibition installation
This role may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, tools, camera, etc.) in the course of their employment
The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.
For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.
Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.
Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.