Job Announcement

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is looking for a dynamic self-starter and bold leader to join our team as FCPA’s first ever Equity Officer. This position reports directly to the executive director, will serve as a member of the senior management team, and will partner with the deputy directors to develop and drive forward key equity strategies for the department. We are seeking a collaborative, courageous and innovative leader who is passionate about advancing equity, promoting inclusion, and identifying the important role parks play in building healthy communities.

Must have a deep understanding of the history of structural and institutional racism and how those past practices have created disparate outcomes for communities we serve. They will have experience building effective equity plans including the areas of park planning, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) management, fundraising, stakeholder engagement and programming. They should understand how these strategies connect with and influence one another as well as to the Park Authority’s ongoing diversity and inclusion work. Should have strong project management, planning, community engagement, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills as well as the ability to build relationships and influence and partner with both internal and external stakeholders. This person will need to roll up their sleeves to not only think big, but also perform the implementation steps to achieve results.

Leads, implements, and operationalizes the outward facing One Fairfax strategic framework for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Serves as a department-wide expert in advancing racial and social equity to ensure that race and income of an area do not predetermine the quality and quantity of parks in that area and where our Recreation Centers and programming are accessible to all Fairfax County residents.

Works with the Park Authority Board, senior management, staff, other county agencies, members of the One Fairfax Core Team, and the community to foster partnerships and effective policy and procedures to support equity goals and actions. Leads intra- and inter-departmental teams and as needed, provides consultative support to cross-system initiatives.

Develops and maintains strategic partnerships to inform and supports the goals and priorities of the Park Authority’s Equity Action Plan, One Fairfax, nurturing relationships with community stakeholders. Participates in a range of activities and networks regionally and nationally to contribute to and organizationally benefit from the growing field of practice to achieve racial and social equity. Supports the development of solutions to complex challenges, and conducts research to inform programs, services, park planning, park development, and policy decisions developing innovative ideas and gathering insights on new and/or emerging practices.

The position includes the following responsibilities:

• Serves as the equity champion for FCPA and a Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) subject matter expert by contributing perspective, insights, and knowledge, and taking a balanced consultative and systematic approach to enable the organization to achieve measurable results. Works collaboratively with other county agencies to integrate and align programs, identify best practice to increase efficacy of all county equity initiatives.
• Manages and leads the development and execution of the outward facing elements of the Park Authority’s Equity Action Plan and build internal equity, in close collaboration with the Senior Management Team, Human Resources, DEI Consultants, staff teams, and community partners to define the measures of success.
• Functions as FCPA’s lead racial and social equity leader in all county and community forums to ensure equity in all programs, parks, services, and facilities.
• Collaborates with HR and the senior leadership team to provide equity training to staff and partners.
• Influences and partners with cross functional working teams, including both internal partners and members, to launch timely, effective initiatives.
• Defines key performance indicators by developing metrics for equity programs and processes, aligned with business and the organizational objectives and assess progress against goals.
• Drive equity goal attainment through program management and defined project plans; manage implementation activities, and develop processes, documentation and communications for program/process rollout and ongoing support.
• Guides community engagement efforts to ensure all voices are heard during park planning, park development and service delivery.
• Recognizes and engages the community as an intrinsic part of the Park Authority’s equity efforts and provides consistent updates on progress and goals to key stakeholders.
• Develops partnerships within the corporate and philanthropic communities to create new funding sources for equity initiatives.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Fairfax County is a dynamic community with 1.1 million residents, a gold medal park system, a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, and bustling town centers. at the heart of the community is the nationally recognized leader, the Fairfax County Park Authority. A large and complex park system encompassing over 24,000 acres of land, 420 parks, and an estimated 18 million park visitors.

*This position requires frequent evening and weekend work.

The assigned functional areas are Social Equity, EEO, Diversity, Human Rights, Multiculturalism, or Inclusion.

Note: The Fairfax County Park Authority is committed to the County's One Fairfax Policy. Please click here to learn more about the One Fairfax policy .

Employment Standards

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 four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in fields related to the assigned functional areas; PLUS, Five years of professional work experience within more than one of the assigned functional areas.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) years of professional experience with an emphasis on implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
• Five years of supervisory experience.
• Experience advocating for equity in parks and recreation
• Understanding best practice solutions to create an equitable parks and recreation system.
• Experience building an equity strategy from the ground up, including the design of plans to drive progress towards long-term vision and goals.
• Deep understanding of societal systems of bias, and ability to apply this knowledge to inform decisions.
• Experience demonstrating sound judgment and working with confidential or highly sensitive subject matter.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and drive them to completion using project/program management tools.
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, and child protective services registry check to the satisfaction of the employer.

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature; however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Employee may be required to lift up to 15 lbs. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% 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. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.