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Visitor Services Manager (Naturalist II)

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Visitor Services Manager (Naturalist II)

Salary

$62,482.37 - $104,137.49 Annually

Location

GREAT FALLS (GC01), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

25-02086

Department

Park Authority

Opening Date

11/15/2025

Closing Date

11/28/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S22

Posting Type

Open to General Public

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Job Announcement

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 Visitor Services Manager (Naturalist II) for Riverbend 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, four waterfront 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, programs, rentals, marina operations, events, all visitor services, and its amenities, including stewarding the site's natural and cultural resources, maintaining facilities, and managing staff at Riverbend Park, as well as the nearby Scotts Run Nature Preserve and the Turner Farm Observatory Park. Develops and updates a site operations plan and other applicable plans for supervising the daily site operations in accordance with those plans. Responsible for staffing, evaluating, and scheduling volunteer and staff for visitor services and public programming, facility use, and all other activities related to the administration. Leads collaborative initiatives with stakeholders, such as the Friends of Riverbend Park, FCPA leadership, elected and appointed officials are expected. Holiday and weekends may be required.

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 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;

+ Plans, develops and executes an interpretive management program for the nature center;

+ 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;

+ Supervises submission of cash reports and required reporting of management indicators such as visitation, program numbers, and project accounting;

+ Disburses site petty cash 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: (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/equivalencies-education-and-experience) (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:

+ Experience with the management and operation of a large public park Knowledge of local natural and cultural history.

+ Experience in managing waterfront site operations.

+ Experience in managing marina and boat rental operations.

+ Experience in operating power boats, and paddle crafts.

+ 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.

+ Experience in education instruction.

+ Experience managing outdoor recreation activities.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

+ Driver's license (required)

+ CPR/First Aid (Required within 3 months)

+ Virginia Boater's Safety Certification (Required Within 90 days)

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 up to 50 lbs. Ability to spend extended periods of time standing, walking, and ability to traverse rough and uneven terrain to inspect remote park areas. Ability to work in varying weather conditions. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview; may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for 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. [email protected] . EEO/AA/TTY.

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