Job Announcement

As the manager at Green Spring Gardens, you will connect the community to natural and cultural resources through horticulture, education, and stewardship. Green Spring Gardens is a 31-acre accredited public garden that reaches 100,000 visitors who tour the 22 themed gardens and natural areas and attend a variety of educational programs. Featured on the site is a 1784 brick historic house listed on the national register for its 1942 interior design by architect Walter Macomber and landscape design by Beatrix Farrand. The position also manages the Park Authority’s countywide horticulture program including other satellite horticulture parks, the Fairfax County Farmers Markets, Green Spring Extension Master Gardener program and the garden plot program.

The manager is responsible for the financial success of the site and its programs. Duties include preparing reports for revenue and expense budgets, developing a budget request for Friends of Green Spring (FROGS), serving as primary contact for fund raising activities and developing plans for the capital improvement program for the park.

Recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates full and part time park personnel, including direction to staff for the effective management of the volunteer and intern programs.

Develops and implements short and long term goals, annual operations plans, program plans, horticultural and other park resource management plans, and plans for the countywide horticulture program.

Supervises the planning, protection, development and maintenance of horticultural, historic and natural resources, as well as building and grounds maintenance and safety. Maintains resource documentation, such as plant records and labeling, and natural and historic resources inventories. Engages the community by providing direction for the development of programs, activities and services of the countywide horticulture program to serve a highly supportive audience. Maintains high quality customer service through visitor services is a hallmark of Green Spring Gardens.

Assures compliance with federal, state and/or local financial, security, and safety standards that ultimately result in maintaining standards for appropriate accreditation and certification, e.g. Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), and American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Additionally, builds and maintains local, regional and national partnerships and relationships to advance and promote the mission, goals and projects of Green Spring Gardens, associated sites and the Park Authority. Must be proficient with Office 365 or similar software.

Two opportunities to attend a virtual Realistic Job Preview for this position will be offered via TEAMS on Wednesday, March 24, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. and on Thursday, April 1, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

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+1 571-429-5982,,801787770# United States, Arlington
Phone Conference ID: 801 787 770#
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+1 571-429-5982,,794601460# United States, Arlington
Phone Conference ID:794 601 460#
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Illustrative Duties

• Directs and coordinates the implementation of conservation or horticultural policies and procedures;
• Develops long- and short- term goals, operating objectives, strategies and implementation plans;
• Makes recommendations to the division manager or branch manager regarding long-range plans;
• Coordinates research studies and the preparation of technical reports;
• Provides technical expertise to agency and county regarding key issues related to parklands and natural resources;
• Contributes to the development of Park Authority and county-wide strategic plans related to natural or horticultural resources;
• Maintains liaison with other key park officials, other agencies, citizens' organizations,
• and the public on issues of environmental concern pertaining to parklands and natural resources;
• Develops and submits an annual operating budget and monitors revenue/expenditure performance levels;
• Directs staff operations and training.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of nature conservation theory and philosophy;
• Extensive knowledge of conservation program management practices;
• Ability to plan and direct comprehensive conservation programs and activities;
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
• Ability to plan, direct and manage the work of subordinate staff;
• Ability to evaluate employees performance against comprehensive performance standards;
• Ability to develop and implement effective management practices;
• Ability to prepare and adhere to a budget;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with public officials, staff and the general public.

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 horticulture, natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, public gardens management, education, or a closely related field;
Plus five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of conservation management, environmental education, park programming, or a closely related field.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid motor vehicle driver's license.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background investigation, a check of the Child Protective Services Registry, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer. The appointee to this position may be required to work nights, weekends or odd hours depending on project needs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous public garden, historic site and/or natural resource site management experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with applying the methods, principles, techniques, and practices necessary to document a site with horticultural natural and cultural resources.
• Demonstrated ability to use effective leadership skills related to interpersonal relations and team building, and to establish positive relationships with mangers, peers, subordinates, customers and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement master plans, interpretive plans, operations plans, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to set and maintain multiple program priorities while having the flexibility to adapt to change, collaborate and negotiate with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing sustainable revenue generating programs and facilities.
• Comprehensive understanding of budget development and management, and experience with budget development and management.
• Proficiency with Office 365 suite of applications or similar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid Virginia Pesticide Applicator certification.
• Valid CPR and/or First Aid certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to walk over varied terrain such as park trails and grounds. Ability to lift 50 pounds with or without assistance. Ability to work in adverse weather conditions. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include exercise.

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 status as a veteran 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.