Adapted Programs Specialist (Park/Rec Specialist III)

Salary : $64,190.88 - $106,984.59 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 25-00615
Department: Park Authority
Opening Date: 03/08/2025
Closing Date: 3/21/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S23
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking an Adapted Program Specialist 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 RECenters, 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 performs highly skilled work with individuals with disabilities. Directs and guides the work of professional and paraprofessional staff in the provision of adapted recreation activities for individuals with disabilities. Directs and monitors the planning, coordination, administration, and evaluation of several countywide programs. Researches and develops adapted recreation programs, practices, and protocols. obtains and coordinates the resource requirements of assigned programs. Prepares special studies and reports on various disability issues. Identifies, analyzes, and resolves problems. Assumes supervisor on-duty responsibilities for handling weekend and evening program problems and serves as the department liaison to a variety of project committees, teams, and community groups. Coordinates and obtains resources required for program implementation. develops community partnerships. Conducts ongoing evaluation and quality assessments of programs and analyzes findings. Recruits, interviews, hires, directs, and evaluates the work activities of program staff. Coordinates work schedules and training of all staff. Coordinates facility scheduling. Recommends policy and operational procedures. Tracks program expenditure information and completes administrative reports. Works with the agency's public information personnel in the marketing of programs and services, and performs other work as assigned.
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.)

General duties

• Conducts programs and service delivery evaluations using a variety of tools;
• Identifies deficiencies, recommends revisions, and implements recommendations using innovative strategies;
• Develops and maintains community and corporate partnerships and sponsorships or grants to provide services, funding, equipment and/or facilities;
• Develops and implements community outreach plans that target underserved populations to increase overall program participation;
• Recruits, trains, and schedules staff and volunteers;
• Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff;
• Participates in the development of long- and short-term goals, operating objectives, and strategies and implementation plans to improve service delivery and maximize the efficient use of parklands and recreation facilities;
• Completes and evaluates various financial, administrative, and statistical reports from daily operations;
• Develops and submits annual operating budgets and monitors revenue/expenditure levels against approved budget and targeted revenue plans;
• Ensures compliance with financial guidelines and reconciles revenue and expense reports;
• Ensures accountability for fixed assets;
• Ensures that all facilities meet quality standards for housekeeping, cleanliness, and maintenance;
• Ensures that facilities and grounds are free of safety hazards, that appropriate safety measures are implemented, and that all federal, state, and county safety standards are applied and satisfied;
• Develops and implements security guidelines to protect park facilities and the public against fire, vandalism, and other threats;
• Authorizes the procurement of supplies, equipment, or services;
• Interacts with citizens and community organizations regarding park use, maintenance, and operations, and ensures resolution of customer complaints and concerns;
• Acquires and posts all current certificates, licenses, permits, and operating requirements;
• Reviews and makes recommendations on plans for new park or facility constructions;
• Ensures compliance with established operating procedures;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the public and County staff;
• Prepares and reviews contracts for facility use and contractual services.

Operations

• Ensures accountability for resale inventories;
• Conducts and/or reviews initial client intake, assessment and general functioning screening of children, teens, and adults with disabilities to determine appropriate treatment protocol for each assigned client;
• Ensures best practices and protocols are followed by staff through training and assessment of work.

Programming

• Schedules, plans, organizes, supervises, and evaluates a diverse selection of activities within the components of leisure that include after-school programs, community integration services, service-learning programs, character education activities, family activities, community outings, socials, hobby enrichment classes, leisure counseling and coaching, and therapeutic activity interventions;
• Meets regularly with citizen advisory groups to discuss community needs, evaluates feasibility of suggestions, and incorporates viable proposals into programming;
• Provides coordination and support of special activities and events.

Management

• Completes and maintains participant-related documents (assessment, service plan, progress notations) and adheres to agency's policies regarding information contained within the documents;
• Participates in interdisciplinary human service planning teams;
• Works with other human service agencies to provide appropriate intervention strategies;
• Coordinates with health, social services, legal, financial, and housing professionals to arrange and conduct special programs.

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 the principles and practices of parks and recreation center operations, maintenance, and management;
• Knowledge of group work methods and activity facilitation;
• Knowledge of financial management controls relating to budgeting and accounting of expenditures;
• Ability to manage a large complex operation with extensive capital equipment, property value, and inventory;
• Ability to motivate and supervise staff;
• Ability to schedule, coordinate, and prioritize the work of a diverse group of employees;
• Ability to evaluate employees' performance against comprehensive performance standards;
• Ability to prepare clear, concise financial and administrative reports;
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and to evaluate their performance against established objectives;
• Ability to prepare and adhere to budgets;
• Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment;
• Ability to develop and implement effective management practices;
• Ability to develop and implement staff training programs;
• Ability to plan, develop, and administer recreation programs and community service activities to meet the special needs of at-risk populations and communities;
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with staff, citizen groups, and the public;
• Ability to work independently using sound judgment in the execution of the position's duties. If assigned to teen/senior positions:
• Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
• Knowledge of youth-related risk factors and early identification criteria. If assigned to therapeutic recreation positions:
• Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of therapeutic recreation and disability issues;
• Knowledge of the specific limitations associated with various disabilities;
• Knowledge of OSHA/Universal precaution standards;
• Working knowledge of general medical and psychiatric terminology.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(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 recreation and park, therapeutic recreation, horticulture, agriculture, cultural and historic resources, or other closely related field as appropriate to the duties of the position; Plus, three years of experience in park or recreation-related work, as applicable to the position, including one year of supervisory experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience developing, directing, monitoring, and evaluating countywide programs serving individuals with disabilities.
• Previous management experience in the provision of adapted recreation activities for individuals with disabilities.
• First Aid certification. CPR certification.

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.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's License (required)
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (Required)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sedentary with walking and lifting less than 5 lbs. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home () and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to 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. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-SP1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Flexible Spending Program
• Deferred Compensation

Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Recreation and park management
• Therapeutic recreation
• Horticulture
• Agriculture
• Cultural & historical resources
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist?

• Yes
• No

07

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in park or recreation-related work as applicable to the position?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven or more years

08

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

09

Please indicate which of the following adaptive programs you have direct professional experience working with. Check all that apply.

• Adaptive Aquatic Programs for individuals
• Adaptive Land-Based Programs for individuals with disabilities for toddlers
• Adaptive Land-Based Programs for individuals with disabilities for children
• Adaptive Land-Based Programs for individuals with disabilities for teens
• Adaptive Land-Based Programs for individuals with disabilities for adults
• Other
• None of the above

10

Please indicate which of the following areas of program management you have direct professional experience working with. Check all that apply.

• Issue research
• Program development
• Program assessment
• Program evaluation
• Program fiscal management
• operational assessment
• Recommending programmatic changes
• Purchasing equipment
• creating policies and procedures
• Other
• None of the above

11

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have managing volunteer activities?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

12

Please indicate which of the following areas related to volunteer management you have direct professional experience working with. Check all that apply.

• Recruitment
• Marketing
• Training
• Scheduling
• Other
• None of the above

13

Please indicate which of the following areas related to the management of seasonal employees do you have direct professional experience working with. Check all that apply.

• Recruitment
• Marketing
• Training
• Scheduling
• Other
• None of the above

14

Please indicate which of the following aquatic (or related) certifications you currently possess. Check all that apply.

• Water Safety Instructor Certification
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Certification (CTRS)
• Adaptive Aquatics Certification
• Other
• None of the above

15

Please indicate your knowledge of Title II of the ADA.

• Beginner
• Moderate
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• None

Required Question