Job Announcement

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! Work as part of the Resource Management Division (RMD) at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale, Va. Under general supervision, manages the operations, staff, and facilities of a park with significant natural and cultural resources. Hidden Oaks Nature Center is nestled inside the 52-acre Annandale District Park. You'll find live animal displays, exhibits, a pond, creeks, woodland trails, gardens, play areas, a resource library, and a rain garden. The park offers a broad range of public programs on nature topics. There are camps, school field trips, and scout programs. It is popular with homeschool communities. The site also hosts birthday parties and offers tremendous rental opportunities.

Illustrative Duties

(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.)

• 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;
  
• 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;
  
• 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.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• 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.

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 natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, education, or a closely related field; plus, three years of progressively responsible experience in the field of conservation management, environmental education, interpretation, park programming, or a closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Supervisory experience. Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and SharePoint. Experience developing, requesting, justifying, and managing operations budgets. Experience with animal care and living collections. Experience with event planning and management. Experience with facility rentals. Experience with nature-based programming. Extensive knowledge of Park Authority (or similar recreation provider) operations and processes.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's license (required)
• CPR and/or First Aid (Required within 6 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull 40 lbs. Ability to stand and maintain visual concentration for prolonged period and to have a high level of hand/eye/foot coordination. Ability to walk over rough terrain such as forests, meadows, floodplains, and stream valley. 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-SP1