Natural Resource Manager (Naturalist II)

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! Fairfax County is a dynamic community with 1.1 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 Natural Resource Manager (Naturalist II) for Riverbend Park 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.
This position researches, plans, schedules, coordinates, conducts, and reports on natural resource management activities and park operations. Assesses and manages the impacts of wildlife, non-native and invasive species, disease, and stresses on natural communities/ecosystems at Riverbend Park and Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, as well as at other assigned sites with the same or nearby districts. Assists in the site’s and agency’s strategic natural resource protection program by providing professional and technical expertise in the areas of natural resource inventory, development plan review, and assistance in the development of the site and agency strategic natural resource management plans. Cooperates with agency resource managers and other county departments to perform management actions throughout county when needed. In cooperation with the park’s visitor services manager, contributes to visitor services and natural resource interpretation. Collaborates on initiatives with stakeholders, such as the Friends of Riverbend Park, FCPA leadership, elected and appointed officials are expected. Holiday and weekends may be required.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Directs all aspects of visitor/nature center including staffing, facility use, security, safety, resource protection, visitor control, operating procedures and hours of operation, and procurement of supplies, equipment, and services;
• Assists site manager in the research, writing, implementation and evaluation of the site’s annual operational plan, project plans, prospectus, and interpretive plan, including goals and objectives for delivering programs and services;
• Plans, develops, and executes an interpretive management program for the nature center;
• Responds to visitor, telephone and staff inquiries concerning natural and cultural history and conservation matters;
• Investigates and responds to citizen complaints and concerns;
• Assists in the development of and accounting for the site annual budget, including donated funds;
• Supervises submission of cash reports and required reporting of management indicators such as visitation, program numbers, and project accounting;
• Disburses site petty cash funds;
• Recruits, interviews, selects, trains, supervises, sets priorities and work schedules, assigns projects and evaluates paid and volunteer staff;
• Assists section manager and agency by providing professional and technical expertise in natural resource protection to include reviewing development plans, managing natural and cultural resource inventory, providing guidance on land acquisitions, and assisting in the development of the agency’s strategic natural resource management plan;
• Provides technical support on resource stewardship issues to include researching, writing, and producing educational material, articles for publication, signage, exhibit components, training modules and presentations, updates to environment reference manual, and preparation of standard operating procedures for Park Authority policies addressing natural resource issues.

• Knowledge of nature conservation theory and philosophy;
• Knowledge of conservation program and resource management practices;
• Knowledge of the natural and biological sciences including the theory, principles and practices of interpretation and environmental education;
• Knowledge of native flora, fauna, geology, and ecology of the local area;
• Knowledge of local environmental issues and conservation practices;
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of park management;
• Ability to provide technical resource and program leadership to naturalist staff;
• Ability to perform effective administrative work including budgeting, human resource management, purchasing, and the development of short- and long-range operational plans;
• Ability to manage and operate interpretation/conservation programs at a site;
• Ability to manage paid and volunteer staff engaged in professional naturalist and technical support positions;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to deal effectively with citizen inquiries and complaints;
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with the community and organizations concerned with environmental, natural, cultural and wildlife matters;
• Ability to analyze and recommend solutions to environmental problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, education or a closely related field; plus, two years of progressively responsible experience in conservation management, environmental education, interpretation, park programming, or a closely related field.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and three or more years of progressively responsible work experience in natural resource management at a park site with significant natural resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of natural and cultural resource protection.
• Experience managing volunteers and community projects.
• Demonstrated ability to: set and maintain program priorities while having the flexibility to adapt to change; collaborate and negotiate with diverse stakeholders; work well with teams, and establish positive relationships with managers, peers, subordinates, customers and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office software products. Experience using GIS software products.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver’s License (Required)
• CPR/First Aid (Required within 3 months)
• Pesticide/Herbicide Applicator License (Required within one year)
• Wildland Fire Fighter (Required within one year)

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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to perform physical labor, such as field work on uneven terrain, operate equipment and machinery, and lift up to 50 lbs. 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. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
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