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Park Services Division Director

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Park Services Division Director

Salary

$116,320.46 - $209,376.75 Annually

Location

FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA

Job Type

FT Hourly W BN

Job Number

25-02225

Department

Park Authority

Opening Date

01/03/2026

Closing Date

1/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

M03

Posting Type

Open to General Public

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Job Announcement

Fairfax County is a dynamic community with 1.1 million residents, an award-winning 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, 422 parks, an estimated 18 million park visitors, 500 full-time employees, 2,500 seasonal employees and over 2,000 volunteers. The Fairfax County Park Authority has been the recipient of the prestigious Gold Medal Award for the best park system in the country and accredited by the Commission of Park and Recreation Accreditation (CAPRA) four times with 100% compliance for every review.

The Park Authority is seeking an innovative, collaborative, business-minded and highly experienced individual to lead the Park Authority’s Park Services Division. Reporting to the Park Authority’s Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer, this position provides leadership, direction, and oversight to nine Rec Centers, outdoor aquatic facilities, 1000’s of programs, camps and events, centralized registration and park permits, and agencywide inclusion and ADA services.

Also provides leadership, management and direction to agency's primary enterprise division that includes five branches and more than $50 million revenue and expense budgets; 12 park/recreation facilities (includes recreation centers, parks and outdoor aquatic facilities); 100 merit staff, 2000 exempt limited term staff, 1000 volunteers; division-wide programming (classes, camps, events and tournaments), youth services, fitness and aquatics and central customer services as well as agency wide ADA compliance for all park facility development, access and programming. Develops and leads implementation of annual operational plans, human resource and organizational development plans, procedures, and policies to ensure the needs of the Fairfax County community are addressed.

The position is a key member of the executive director’s senior management team and participates in the development of a variety of agencywide plans and initiatives. This key leadership position is responsible for the execution of components of the Park Authority’s Strategic Plan and CAPRA accreditation identifying, assigning, and tracking workload assignments to ensure on time completion. The position helps develop internal and external policy and ensures compliance with all policy and procedures that govern, regulate, or guide the Park Authority.

Also publicly represents the Park Authority as the face of the agency and presents relevant information at board, council, community, and homeowners association meetings and to staff. This job is varied in nature, and the incumbent must exercise considerable leadership and independent judgment. Business acumen is essential as well as effective skills in communication, political astuteness, team building, process evaluation, supervision, managing and working in a diverse environment.

The assigned functional areas are Recreation, Park management, Business management, Facility management, or a closely related field.

A Realistic Job Preview will be held on J anuary 12, 2026, at 1:00PM (EST) . Please utilize the link (Click here to join the meeting) to access the Realistic Job Preview meeting.

Meeting ID: 222 533 410 732 17

Passcode: Cx7ns9D3

Dial in by phone

+1 571-429-5982,,408898899# United States, Washington

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Phone conference ID: 408 898 899#

For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN

*The position requires frequent attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events.

Find out more about our Nationally recognized organization here: (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/)

Fairfax Parks: Committed to Equity (https://youtu.be/fv90cPbbEkI)

Fairfax Parks: A Hub for Health and Wellness

Fairfax Parks: A Trailblazer in Conservation (https://youtu.be/Gm3cWgF11DI)

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.)

+ Supervises a staff of professionals and has overall responsibility for all programs within their assigned functional area;

+ Supervises preparation of the division's budget, participates in presentation of the budget to the Park Authority Board, and monitors program expenditures;

+ Evaluates and reports on the effectiveness of division programs;

+ Conducts service needs assessments;

+ Prepares, presents, and is held accountable for implementation of the Park Authority's annual plan as it relates to the assigned functional area(s);

+ Ensures that division plans and programs complement agency goals and objectives;

+ Provides an independent liaison with, and support to the Park Advisory Board and other boards and commissions for issues with in the assigned functional area(s);

+ Provides staff support to the Park Authority Board;

+ Oversees special project work directed by the Board of Supervisors, Park Authority Board and/or agency director;

+ Represents the agency in meetings with public and private-sector officials and citizen groups;

As the Director of the Services Division

Manages the Services Division, overseeing the management of the Park Authority's recreation centers; Guides and directs the work of the recreation centers, and market research functions; Ensures effective delivery of services to the public through the operation of its facilities; Oversees all planning, scheduling, operations and recommended program changes and coordinates activities with the marketing research and analysis function; Directs the development, evaluation, and enhancement of integrated operating procedures; and Reviews new program and facility requirements, and in conjunction with other division directors, prepares recommendations for budget requests and priorities for the Park Authority Board.

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.)

+ Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods, and challenges of organization and management;

+ Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration;

+ Knowledge of the principles and practices of the assigned functional area;

+ Oral and written communication skills;

+ Demonstrated skills in needs assessment and strategic planning;

+ Ability to plan and direct the activities of a large staff;

+ Ability to plan and conduct staff development programs.

+ Ability to evaluate programs against pertinent standards;

+ Ability to prepare and present clear, concise financial and administrative reports;

+ Ability to develop and evaluate budget requests and project future expenditures;

+ Ability to work independently and as part of a team;

+ Ability to keep abreast of developments in the field;

+ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships peers, other County employees, Board members, public and private sector officials, and citizen groups;

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 appropriate to the functional area (recreation, park management, business administration or related field); Plus, five years of administrative experience in the appropriate functional area.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

Driver's license

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check and, driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

+ Eight years progressive leadership experience.

+ Experience managing a self-sustaining revenue operation.

+ Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO), Certified Personal Trainer

+ Experience managing and implementing organizational improvement processes.

+ Experience working with governing and advisory boards, elected officials, and community group.

+ Experience developing strategic, operational or development plans.

+ Experience managing/developing operational programs.

+ Experience developing, evaluating and managing self-sustaining programs and facilities.

+ Experience facilitating workgroups and multifaceted projects

+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

+ Detail oriented with the ability to handle multiple tasks.

+ Works well independently and with minimal direction and works effectively leading and as a participant on teams.

+ Knowledge and experience with process improvement and strategic planning.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Generally sedentary with walking and lifting up to 10 pounds. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and 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 (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview) .) 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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