Site Manager (Naturalist III)

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! Fairfax County is a dynamic community with 1.2 million residents, an award-winning park system, a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, and a highly diverse population. The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a site manager for Huntley Meadows Park and a site manager for Hidden Pond Nature Center to be part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With more than 24,000 acres of parkland, nine Rec Centers, eight golf courses, five nature centers, four waterfront parks, historic sites and more, FCPA is an exciting organization to be a part of and there are many opportunities for staff to make a difference at every level.

Site managers lead long term planning for and direct daily operations of the site and its amenities, including stewarding the site’s natural and cultural resources, maintaining facilities, and managing staff. Develops and updates an operations plan for supervising the daily site operations in accordance with those plans. Responsible for staffing, evaluating, and scheduling volunteer and staff for visitor services and public programming, facility use, and all other activities related to the administration. Leads collaborative initiatives with stakeholders, FCPA leadership, elected and appointed. Holiday and weekends may be required.

This recruitment will be used to fill two vacancies at the following locations:

• Hidden Pond Nature Center

8511 Greeley Blvd

West Springfield, VA 22152

• Huntley Meadows Park

3701 Lockheed Blvd

Alexandria, VA 22306

• Reviews the overall development of educational programs and events and coordinates visitor services;
• Develops long- and short-term goals, operating objectives, strategies, and implementation plans;
• Ensures that all facilities meet quality standards for housekeeping, cleanliness and maintenance;
• Ensures that facilities and grounds are free of safety hazards, that appropriate safety measures are implemented and that all federal, state and county safety standards are applied and satisfied;
• Develops and implements security guidelines to protect park facilities and the public against fire, vandalism, and other threats;
• Recommends, develops, and implements plans for improved service delivery;
• Reviews and makes recommendations on plans for new park or facility construction;
• Develops and submits an annual operating budget and monitors revenue/expenditure performance levels;
• Complies with financial guidelines and reconciles revenue and expense reports;
• Completes and evaluates various financial, administrative, and statistical reports;
• Prepares and reviews contracts for facility use and contractual services;
• Ensures the efficient use of park lands and facilities to maximize revenue and customer satisfaction;
• Authorizes the procurement of supplies, equipment or services;
• Ensures that all required certificates, licenses, and permits are current and posted;
• Develops resource protection plans and procedures;
• Contributes to the development of Park Authority and County-wide strategic plans related to resource protection;
• Conducts inspections and field surveys, reviews plans, prepares reports and makes recommendations regarding natural resource protection for easements, dedications, rezonings, Park Authority construction projects, general management plans, encroachments, and resource conflicts;
• Plans, schedules, directs and evaluates the work of staff;
• Provides subordinate staff with specialized training and professional development opportunities;
• Interacts with citizens and community organizations regarding park use, maintenance, and resource protection issues;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the public, interest groups, and County staff.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation center maintenance and management;
• Knowledge of the principles of nature conservation theory and philosophy;
• Knowledge of conservation program management practices;
• Knowledge of financial management controls relating to budgeting and accounting of expenditures;
• Ability to manage a large, complex operation with extensive capital equipment, property value and inventory;
• Ability to motivate and supervise others;
• Ability to schedule, coordinate and prioritize the work of a diverse group of employees;
• Ability to evaluate employees’ performance against comprehensive performance standards;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to prepare clear, concise financial and administrative reports;
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
• Ability to prepare and adhere to a budget;
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with employees and the general public;
• Ability to develop and implement effective management practices;
• Ability to develop and implement staff training programs.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver’s License (Required)
• CPR/First Aid (Required within 3 months)
• Osha-10 (Required within 12 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with the management and operation of a public park.
• Knowledge of local natural and cultural history.
• Experience in planning, coordinating, and conducting natural and/or cultural history interpretive programs.
• Experience writing interpretative exhibits, blogs, and/or brochures.
• Experience operating a visitor center/nature center.
• Experience with financial management, analysis, and budgets.
• Experience with planning, reporting, and project and office management.
• Experience supervising paid and/or volunteer staff.
• Ability to work well with the public and colleagues.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Professional NAI certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull 40 lbs. with or without assistance. Ability to traverse uneven terrain. Ability to work in adverse weather conditions. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during Application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. [email protected]. EEO/AA/TTY.

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