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ABOLISHED 12/01/2014 PER PAY LETTER 15-04 - Tourism Specialist Series

​ABOLISHED 12/01/2014 PER PAY LETTER 15-04 - Tourism Specialist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established March 23, 1988

Tourism Specialist

Series Specification (Established March 23, 1988)

 

This series specification describes three levels of line classes used in the Department of Commerce.

 

Tourism Specialist Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem CodeClass CodeClass
LT215568Assistant Tourism Specialist (ABOLISHED 12/01/2014 PER PAY LETTER 15-04)
LT255653Associate Tourism Specialist (ABOLISHED 12/01/2014 PER PAY LETTER 15-04)
LT356278Senior Tourism Specialist (ABOLISHED 06/19/2014 PER PAY LETTER 14-09)

Definition of Series

This series specification describes three classes used by the Department of Commerce to promote and enhance tourism development activities in the State of California. Incumbents in these classes work closely with a wide variety of individuals and organizations involved in tourism/travel promotion and development activities. The range of contacts include State, Federal and local agencies, convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, media personnel, travel and trade associations, tour operators, travel agents, community groups, businesses, members of the general public and others.

 

Incumbents plan and implement projects aimed at promoting tourism to and through California; assist communities and local tourism promotion organizations develop strategies for increasing visitor volume and expenditures; may develop, review and oversee the distribution of brochures, articles, press releases, etc., on tourism-related subjects including California attractions, events, services, facilities, tourism marketing and public relations; arrange and participate in travel-trade shows, sales missions, and familiarization tours for journalists, travel agents, and tour operators; provide technical assistance to communities in the establishment of local or regional promotional organizations and programs; may conduct market research and disseminate data on tourism trends and the economic impact of travel on the State; furnish visitors with reliable information about California; and perform other related work as required.

 

Entry into this series typically comes from college recruitment sources, the private sector, local tourism organizations, or through related State classifications at a lower level.

Definition of Levels

Assistant Tourism Specialist

This is the entry, recruiting and first working level of the series. Positions at this level work under general supervision and perform the subjourney level analytical, advocacy, research and consultative duties which are necessary to carry out the tourism development functions of the Department of Commerce. Incumbents are assigned duties and responsibilities commensurate with their background and training. Positions that do not perform the full range of journey level duties may be permanently assigned to this class.

 

Work at this level is often characterized by the nonindependent development and employment of research techniques, analytical studies, and the provision of limited or infrequent consultative services on the feasibility, impact, or promotion of a variety of tourism development activities and programs. The types of analysis, research and consultative activities performed are of a general rather than a specialized or highly technical nature. Incumbents may either have full or limited responsibility for projects or activities. Incumbents may occasionally travel to attend or assist with trade shows, conferences, meetings or other activities, as required.

Associate Tourism Specialist

This is the full journey level of the series. Under general direction, incumbents perform a variety of duties including technical research, analytical staff work and regularly provide consultative advice and advocacy services necessary to carry out the tourism development functions of the Department of Commerce. Incumbents may serve as a leadperson over lower-level specialists and analysts, or have primary responsibility for a major project or activity.

 

Work at this level is characterized by the independent development and employment of research techniques, complicated studies, and consultative services on the feasibility, impact, or promotion of a variety of tourism development activities and programs. The type of analysis, research and consultative activities performed are of a specialized and highly technical nature rather than being general in nature. Incumbents may travel frequently and independently represent the Department at trade shows, conferences, meetings, and other activities.

Senior Tourism Specialist

This is the full supervisory level. Incumbents supervise a small group of specialists and/or analysts, act as a program manager and report directly to an Office Director or other person in top management.

 

Positions at this level are in charge of a well established and fully developed departmental program or function. Positions at this level normally spend a substantial amount of their time performing supervisory, administrative and managerial activities as distinct from working level assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

Assistant Tourism Specialist

Either I

 

Experience: Six months of experience performing a combination of analytical, advocacy, research and consultative tourism development duties such as: developing and/or coordinating visitor information programs, tourism marketing plans and strategies; establishing and implementing public relations and/or promotional campaigns for tourism-related services; researching and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data on tourism trends and market characteristics; participating in travel shows and tourism sales mission; and/or developing and presenting information on tourism issues for public agencies, trade organizations, industry personnel, and/or consumers. and

 

Education: Graduation from college, preferably with a major in the field of Business or Public Administration, Marketing, Communications, Recreation or Tourism. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Or II

 

Experience: One year of experience in California state service performing tourism development duties in a class at a level of responsibility equivalent to a Management Services Technician, Range B.

Or III

 

Experience: Six months of experience in California state service performing tourism development duties in a class at a level of responsibility equivalent to a Staff Services Analyst (General), Range A.

Associate Tourism Specialist

Either I

 

One year of experience in the California state service performing tourism development duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of an Assistant Tourism Specialist, Range B.

 

(Promotional candidates who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirements for this class will be admitted to the examination, but they must fully meet the experience requirements before being eligible for appointment.)

Or II

 

Experience: Three years of experience performing a combination of analytical, advocacy, research, and consultative tourism development duties such as: developing and/or managing visitor information programs; preparing tourism marketing plans and strategies; establishing and implementing public relations and/or promotional campaigns for tourism-related services; researching and analyzing quantitative data on tourism trends and market characteristics; coordinating and participating in travel trade shows and tourism sales mission; and/or developing and presenting information on tourism related issues for public agencies, trade organizations, and/or consumers. and

 

Education: Graduation from college, preferably in the field of Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Recreation, Communications, or Tourism. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) (A master's degree in any of the above fields may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) (A doctoral degree in any of the above fields may be substituted for an additional six months of the required experience.)

Senior Tourism Specialist

Either I

 

One year of experience in the California state service performing tourism development duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of an Associate Tourism Specialist.

Or II

 

Experience: Four years of experience performing a combination of analytical, advocacy, research, and consultative tourism development duties such as: developing and/or managing visitor information programs; developing tourism marketing plans and strategies; establishing and implementing public relations and/or promotional campaigns for tourism-related services; researching and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data on tourism trends and market characteristics; coordinating and participating in travel shows and tourism sales mission; and/or developing and presenting information on tourism issues for public agencies, trade organizations, and/or consumers. This experience must include or be supplemented by at least one year of supervisory/managerial experience. and

 

Education: Graduation from college, preferably in the field of Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Recreation, Communications, or Tourism. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) (A master's degree in any of the above fields may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) (A doctoral degree in any of the above fields may be substituted for an additional six months of the required experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Assistant Tourism Specialist

Knowledge of: A basic knowledge and understanding of tourism development and promotional activities in California including tourism industry conditions, travel trends, California geography, cultures and tourist attractions, and the economic impacts of tourism; the interrelationship and functions of public and private sector organization whose actions impact the tourism/travel industry; principles, methods and techniques used in tourism marketing, promotional and public relations, local tourism development, tour packaging, and tourism event development and coordination; and research, analysis, consultation, advocacy and technical assistance methods and techniques used in securing, developing or providing tourism and visitor related information.

 

Ability to: Effectively develop and present ideas, opinions and information both orally and in writing demonstrating good organizational skills and grammatical accuracy; analyze, evaluate and interpret information and situations effectively; identify available alternatives and recommend courses of action demonstrating initiative, creativity, and flexibility; assume the role of ombudsman for the tourism industry; assist in the development, coordination, and implementation of tourism-related events; assist in the development and production of tourism-related promotional materials, statistical data, and other collateral information; respond to request for technical/marketing assistance and visitor information; and follow instructions in an efficient and timely manner.

Associate Tourism Specialist

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, a well developed current working knowledge of tourism development and promotional activities in California such as those listed above; issues, concerns and impediments affecting tourism development; and the Department's role in tourism development.

 

Ability to: In addition to the above, plan, develop, coordinate, and implement tourism-related events; effectively represent the Department as a spokesperson at such events and follow up on contacts made at these events; plan, prepare and conduct travel surveys; determine tourism development needs and the potential of communities and co-op proposals through research, analysis and field investigations; work independently; and act in a lead capacity over lower-level staff.

Senior Tourism Specialist

Knowledge of: In addition to the Associate Tourism Specialist, methods and techniques of program management and evaluation; methods and techniques of personnel administration, supervision and training; and a supervisor's and manager's role in the Department's Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objective.

 

Ability to: In addition to the Associate Tourism Specialist, plan, organize, direct and evaluate the work of others; respect and carry out the wishes of management; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

The following special personal characteristics are required: possess neatness of personal appearance; willingness to travel; accept constructive criticism; demonstrate enthusiasm in carrying out assigned task; and respect opposing views and attitudes.

Class History

Tourism Specialist Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
ClassDate EstablishedDate RevisedTitle Changed
Assistant Tourism Specialist03/28/197903/23/198803/23/1988
Associate Tourism Specialist03/28/197903/23/198803/23/1988
Senior Tourism Specialist03/23/1988----

Alternate Range Criteria 261

When an employee first enters State service in the class of Assistant Tourism Specialist, she/he shall be eligible for appointment to a range in terms of the following criteria:

 

Experience gained outside State service may be credited only if the appointing power believes the experience is satisfactory and comparable in type and quality to that of Assistant Tourism Specialist and counting it is necessary for recruitment.

 

Range A. This range shall apply to those individuals who do not meet the criteria for Range B.

 

Range B. This range shall apply to persons who have satisfactorily completed 12 months of experience as an Assistant Tourism Specialist (Range A) and may apply to persons who have the equivalent of 18 months of professional experience outside of State service performing a combination of analytical, advocacy, research or consultative, tourism development duties.

  Updated: 9/21/2017
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