Site Manager (Naturalist III)

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 Site Manager for Ellanor C. Lawrence 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, three lakefront 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 leads long term planning for and directs 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 a site operations plan for supervising daily operations in accordance with those plans. Responsible for staffing, evaluating, and scheduling volunteer and staff for site. Leads collaborative initiatives with stakeholders, such as the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends group, FCPA leadership, elected and appointed officials. Holiday and weekends may be required.

• 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.

• 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.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Professional NAI certification.

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

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (required)
• OSHA-10 Certification (Required within 12 months)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to 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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