Curator I (3541) - Harvey Milk Photo Center Director - SF Recreation & Parks

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Company Description

Application Opening:  Friday, July 17, 2026. Amended on 07/20/26 for the recruitment to reflect a public Job Ad. 
Application Deadline:  Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through 5:00pm on July 31, 2026, and will close any time thereafter. 
Salary Range: $79,586 - $96,746/year annually

About Us

Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America.  In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city Learn More. Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City’s most popular and effective public agencies, our Department currently manages more than 230 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages.  Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.

More than 2,000 talented individuals are part of our team, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to park rangers, custodians, electricians, painters and more. Our core mission, as it has been throughout our history, is to provide opportunities for San Francisco residents and visitors alike to gather, play, learn, relax, and enjoy nature in the city.

Job Description

The Harvey Milk Photo Center’s Program & Operations Manager is responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and daily management of the Center’s photography programs, public exhibitions, membership services, and facilities. This position oversees hiring and staff support, program planning, equipment maintenance, purchasing and inventory, and the delivery of high‑quality public classes and events. The Director ensures safe, efficient, and professional operations across all Photo Center spaces, including the darkroom, digital lab, studios, and exhibition galleries.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Operations Management

Oversees daily operations of the Center, including purchasing, inventory control, equipment maintenance, supply ordering and pickup, and communication with the Cultural Arts Manager. Maintains a high standard of organization, safety, and professionalism.

• Program Planning and Administration

Plans and manages photography classes and workshops. Coordinates instructor needs, supports curriculum development, and ensures high‑quality programming. Manages program submissions, quarterly planning, and scheduling across the Photo Center.

• Staff Leadership

Responsible for hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and supervising staff. Sets expectations, assigns work, identifies operational needs, and implements solutions.

• Public Programs and Events

Coordinates public programming including classes, exhibitions, photo talks, receptions, and community events. Represents the Photo Center at public functions and supports community outreach

• Exhibitions Management

Oversees preparation, planning, installation, hanging, and takedown of exhibits, including the annual member show, community photography exhibitions, the Made at the Photo Center quarterly series, and other special displays. Coordinates artist relations and manages exhibit logistics.

• Safety and Compliance

Maintains equipment, safety, and materials records. Conducts or coordinates health and safety trainings for staff. Ensures proper handling and disposal of photographic chemicals and adherence to all safety protocols.

• Membership Services

Manages a membership base of over 200 members annually, including member support, locker system administration, communications, and general customer service.

• Library Management

Oversees the David Johnson Photo Reference Library, including organization, access management, and materials upkeep.

• Marketing and Communications

Responsible for marketing materials including flyers, posters, and digital graphics. Produces and distributes weekly newsletters featuring events, exhibition announcements, registrations, closures, and operational updates.

• Administrative Responsibilities

Manages renewals and licenses, coordinates with IT for digital lab needs, and oversees program‑related purchasing such as supply replenishment and equipment parts.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Please note that incumbents in this classification may be required to perform duties as listed in the class specification 

Qualifications

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in the fine arts, art history, decorative arts, design, history, library science, museum studies, natural history, science, technology or other closely related disciplines.

Desirable Qualifications

• 3 years’ experience managing programs, facilities, or operations in an art, cultural, recreation, or education setting.
• 2 years’ experience supervising staff, instructors, volunteers, or contractors.
• Experience planning and coordinating public programs, classes, or workshops.
• Working knowledge of photography, darkroom processes, and digital imaging.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and operational needs simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to lift, carry, or install exhibit materials as part of exhibition setup.
• Background in photography, art administration, or visual arts programming.
• Experience with exhibition design, installation, or gallery operations.
• Graphic design experience for flyers, posters, and electronic newsletters.
• Familiarity with safety protocols related to photographic chemicals and equipment.
• Strong customer‑service skills, especially in community‑focused environments.
• Experience managing memberships or community‑based programs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and transport materials such as photo equipment, exhibition panels, or supply boxes (typically 25–40 lbs).
• Ability to climb ladders and use tools for exhibition installation.
• Ability to stand, walk, or move around the facility for extended periods during events or installations.

Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at -education/.

Note:  Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. 

Additional Information

Steps to Apply:

1. Applicants will need to submit an updated resume and cover letter in addition to their application. [The work you submit may be verified through AI detection to ensure that you are the author. Plagiarized answers, or any falsified information may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
2. Complete your application with as much detail as possible in the experience section. Please be sure to include all relevant training and experience in your application. It is essential that you provide complete information. A resume will not substitute for a completed application. If you write "see resume" on your application, your application may be rejected.

Selection Process: The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to the minimum qualifications. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164.

Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from  View email address on ziprecruiter.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.  Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions, you may contact Absar Khan at  View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

Race and Social Equity Statement
We believe that parks and open space in San Francisco provides the opportunity to model equitable access for all.  With this belief, San Francisco became the first city in the United States for which 100% of its residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park. The Recreation and Park Department’s goal is to close the gaps and improve equity and access to quality parks and open space, and recreation activities for historically marginalized communities.

We envision a department that proactively infuses racial and social equity in its internal operations.  With a multi-disciplinary team of talented individuals - gardeners, recreation leaders, park rangers, custodians, craft shop personnel, park and recreation managers and more, the department is committed to doing its part to provide equitable access to parks and programs for all the communities we serve to enjoy, as well as foster a work environment where our differences are celebrated, and everyone has what they need to thrive regardless of their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.