Job Description

Posting number: 26-01224

Department: Park Authority

Job classification: PARK/REC SPECIALIST I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Parks

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a professional who is excited to be a part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With more than 25,000 acres of parkland, nine Rec Centers, eight golf courses, three lakefront parks, 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 oversees daily aquatic operations and supports programming at an assigned Rec Center facility. Key responsibilities include conducting facility and equipment safety inspections, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing emergency responses. Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates lifeguards, volunteers, and instructional support staff. Additionally, this role manages lifeguard scheduling, certification, ongoing in-service training and staff development. Administrative duties include tracking inventory, preparing reports, submitting purchase requests, and delivering community presentations. The position also serves as a facility duty manager and requires a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Note: This advertisement will be used to fill vacancies at multiple locations.

Examples of 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.)

General Duties

• Plans, coordinates, schedules, supervises, and evaluates the operations and maintenance of the assigned facility or facilities;
• Hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates staff;
• Plans, schedules, and conducts specialized on-site staff training;
• Completes and submits various financial, administrative, and statistical reports;
• Identifies, recommends, and writes justifications for budget components such as capital equipment submissions;
• Adheres to revenue and expense limits, goals, and guidelines for specialized areas of supervision;
• Authorizes purchase requests and invoices for payment;
• Inspects facilities and grounds for safety hazards and operational deficiencies, recommends improvements, and initiates corrective measures;
• Responds to public inquiries and concerns;
• Participates in the development and implementation of community outreach plans to target underserved populations and to increase overall program participation;
• Analyzes and evaluates service in terms of individual and community needs;
• Performs administrative functions at a facility, including budget preparation, recruitment of volunteer staff, maintenance of records necessary to the operation and evaluation of center programs, and report preparation;
• Manages operation, staff, maintenance and vendors of a park or Athletic field mowing crew within a geographic area of Park facilities;
• Manages operations, maintenance, safety and staff associated with park forestry; Inspects tree conditions for safety and proper maintenance and report required corrective action.

Programming

• Plans, organizes, supervises, and schedules specialized activities and programs sponsored by the park, recreation, teen, community, or senior center in cooperation with residents and related agencies;
• Schedules, coordinates, and evaluates class, camp, and tour programs held at parks, centers, schools, government facilities, and private vendor locations;
• Coordinates and schedules sports leagues and tournaments;
• Coordinates planning, scheduling, and billing for day and overnight trips and tours.

Qualifications

(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 recreation center and /or park management;
• Knowledge of fiscal record keeping and inventory procedures;
• Knowledge of aquatics, grounds maintenance, horticulture, agriculture, cultural or historic resources, or other specialized area as appropriate for the duties of the position;
• Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software and peripheral equipment;
• Ability to direct and coordinate the work of subordinate staff and volunteers;
• Ability to plan, develop, and administer recreation programs or community activities;
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with employees and citizen groups;
• Ability to prepare a variety of administrative reports;
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Supplemental information

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 two-year college or university with an associate degree in recreation, park management, therapeutic recreation, or a closely related field; plus, two years of related experience in recreation center, park, athletic field, golf course operations, or community-based program coordination or a related field, as applicable to the position.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Training Instructor License (Required within 6 months of employment)
• Water Safety Instructor certification (Required within 6 months of employment)
• Pool Operator's License (Required within 6 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in recreation, park management, therapeutic recreation, or closely related field or equivalent experience.
• The ideal candidate will have experience and demonstrated effectiveness in: operating and managing an aquatic facility; training and supervising lifeguards and other staff; supervising staff planning programs; and ensuring adherence to maintenance and safety standards.
• The ideal candidate would possess a Fairfax County Pool Operators Certification and Ellis and Associates Lifeguard Instructor License.
• Water Safety Instructor Certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Dexterity to operate personal computer and climb ladders, stoop, etc. Ability to lift 50 pounds to 80 pounds with assistance. 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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