Horticulture Resource Manager (naturalist Ii)

Job Announcement

The Resource Management Division of the Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring a Horticulture Resource Manager to be based at beautiful Green Spring Gardens. Become part of a dynamic staff at a resource rich site that includes demonstration gardens, a national collection of witch hazels, ponds, and a historical house dating back to the 18th century with garden elements designed by renowned landscape designer Beatrix Farrand. This position will be responsible for assessing and managing the horticulture resources at the gardens, including annual design plans and plant selections, impacts of wildlife, non-native and invasive species, disease, and stresses on natural communities/ecosystems. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively research, design and plan, coordinate, conduct and report on horticulture resource activities and public garden operations. This will include some garden design and installation with the support of staff and volunteers. In support of the site operations, the candidate will contribute to visitor services & operations including the oversight of building and ground maintenance, security, safety, and program support. We are seeking a highly qualified horticulturist with a passion for plants of the mid-Atlantic region. The ideal candidate will have a deep knowledge of plants and garden design, significant experience in setting up and maintaining horticultural standards, skill and experience with plant records databases, and enjoy managing teams and volunteers. The candidate should embrace the concepts of sustainability and ecology and be capable of applying these concepts in management of the horticultural plan.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will provide a virtual realistic job preview on February 8th 11:00 am-12:00 pm OR February 15th 2:00 - 3:00 pm. Interested candidates may join the following Microsoft TEAMS link to participate in learning more about the position with Park Authority staff.

To access, please click the TEAMS link below.

REALISTIC JOB PREVIEW:
February 8th 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 571-429-5982,,172343268# United States, Arlington
Phone Conference ID: 172 343 268#
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Learn More | Meeting options

REALISTIC JOB PREVIEW:
February 15th 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 571-429-5982,,274763483# United States, Arlington
Phone Conference ID: 274 763 483#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options

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.)

• 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;
  
• 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;
  
• 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.

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 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.

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 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:

• Three years of progressively responsible experience in public garden management, conservation management, environmental education, interpretation, park maintenance, park programming, or a closely related field.
• Work experience in public garden, arboretum, park, or other area with significant horticultural and natural resources. Demonstrated knowledge of natural and cultural resource protection. Experience developing collection and records policies.
• Experience in adopting and maintaining horticulture standards. Experience with plant collections database, in particular IRIS BG.
• Experience managing staff, volunteers and community projects.
• Demonstrated ability to set and maintain project 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.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Pesticide Applicator (VA) (Required within 6 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated 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 religious reasons will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Otherwise, vaccinated employees will complete the attestation online in the first day of employment.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, child protective services registry check and driver's license check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to navigate varied terrain such as park trails and grounds. This position requires one to be able to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, type on keyboard. Ability to spend extended periods of time standing, walking, and ability to traverse rough and uneven terrain to inspect remote park areas. Must be able to work in varying weather conditions. Must be able to lift up to 50lbs. All duties may be 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 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.