Site Manager (Naturalist III)

Salary : $67,425.90 - $112,377.41 Annually
Location : CHANTILLY (CJ04), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00488
Department: Park Authority
Opening Date: 03/01/2025
Closing Date: 3/14/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S24
Posting Type: Open to General Public

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 Site Manager for Ellanor C. Lawrence 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, three lakefront 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 and its amenities, including stewarding the site's natural and cultural resources, maintaining facilities, and managing staff. Develops and updates a site operations plan for supervising daily operations in accordance with those plans. Responsible for staffing, evaluating, and scheduling volunteer and staff for site. Leads collaborative initiatives with stakeholders, such as the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends group, FCPA leadership, elected and appointed officials. 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 job description.)

• Reviews the overall development of educational programs and events and coordinates visitor services;
  
• Develops long- and short-term goals, operating objectives, strategies and implementation plans;
  
• 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;
  
• Recommends, develops and implements plans for improved service delivery;
  
• Reviews and makes recommendations on plans for new park or facility construction;
  
• Develops and submits an annual operating budget and monitors revenue/expenditure performance levels;
  
• Complies with financial guidelines and reconciles revenue and expense reports;
  
• Completes and evaluates various financial, administrative and statistical reports;
  
• Prepares and reviews contracts for facility use and contractual services;
  
• Ensures the efficient use of park lands and facilities to maximize revenue and customer satisfaction;
  
• Authorizes the procurement of supplies, equipment or services;
  
• Ensures that all required certificates, licenses and permits are current and posted;
  
• Develops resource protection plans and procedures;
  
• Contributes to the development of Park Authority and County-wide strategic plans related to resource protection;
  
• Conducts inspections and field surveys, reviews plans, prepares reports and makes recommendations regarding natural resource protection for easements, dedications, rezonings, Park Authority construction projects, general management plans, encroachments and resource conflicts;
  
• Plans, schedules, directs and evaluates the work of staff;
  
• Provides subordinate staff with specialized training and professional development opportunities;
  
• Interacts with citizens and community organizations regarding park use, maintenance and resource protection issues;
  
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the public, interest groups and County staff.

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 maintenance and management;
  
• Knowledge of the principles of nature conservation theory and philosophy;
  
• Knowledge of conservation program management practices;
  
• 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 others;
  
• 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 communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
  
• Ability to prepare clear, concise financial and administrative reports;
  
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
  
• Ability to prepare and adhere to a budget;
  
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with employees and the general public;
  
• Ability to develop and implement effective management practices;
  
• Ability to develop and implement staff training programs.

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 natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, education, or a closely related field; plus, three years of progressively responsible experience in the field of conservation management, environmental education, interpretation, park programming, or a closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

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)
• OSHA-10 Certification (Required within 12 months)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift up to 25lbs periodically. Position is generally sedentary in nature; however, incumbent may be required to traverse in uneven terrain for sustained periods of time in various weather conditions for outside work and inspection of the park area. 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: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

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.

• Natural or life sciences
• Natural history
• Park management
• Education
• Agriculture
• Agronomy
• Architecture
• Biology
• Ecology
• Environmental science
• Plant sciences
• Sustainable agriculture
• Sustainable development
• Historic preservation
• 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

How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible experience do you have in the field of conservation management, environmental education, interpretation, park programming, or a closely related field?(Progressively responsible experience: Refers to tasks, job duties, or roles that demonstrate growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.)

• 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

07

How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible experience do you have in managing a staffed park with multiple operations and amenities? (Progressively responsible experience: Refers to tasks, job duties, or roles that demonstrate growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.)

• 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

What type of NAI (National Association for Interpretation) professional certification(s) do you have? Check all that apply. Certifications must be current and substantiated in application.

• CIH - Certified Interpretative Host
• CIG - Certified Interpretative Guide
• CHI - Certified Heritage Interpreter
• CIP - Certified Interpretative Planner
• CIM -Certified Interpretative Manager
• CIT - Train the Trainer
• I do not hold a current NAI Certification

09

What natural resource management and/or interpretation experience do you have. Check all that apply.

• Created and led natural history interpretative programs.
• Written interpretative natural history exhibits, blogs, brochures, or other publications for the public.
• Cared for natural and historic items and artifacts.
• Responsible for operations of a visitor center and/or nature center.
• I do not have any of the above experience.

10

What types of financial management experience do you possess? Check all that apply.

• Regularly calculate break-even analyses for revenue generating operations such as programs, rentals, and/or gift shop sales.
• Analyze and report on revenue and/or expenses and/or donation accounts for specific accounts
• Generate revenue projections and trends
• Create and report on business plans.
• I do not have any of the above experience.

11

Please indicate your level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

• Beginner (Basic knowledge of creating a worksheet; performing calculations in a worksheet; modifying and formatting a worksheet; printing workbook contents)
• Intermediate (Knowledge of inserting and modifying graphic objects in a worksheet; customizing and enhancing workbooks; analyzing data using Pivot Tables, Slicers, and Pivot Charts)
• Advanced (Extensive knowledge of increasing productivity and improving efficiency by streamlining workflow; collaborating with others using workbooks; auditing worksheets; analyzing data; working with multiple workbooks; importing and exporting data, using Excel with the web)
• No experience

12

What is your level of proficiency with PowerPoint?

• Beginner (Basic knowledge of creating, modifying and formatting slides, inserting and working with text, clipart, drawn objects and drawing tools; use and run slide show options; work with notes and print a presentation)
• Intermediate (Knowledge of creating or customizing templates; create a template; work with graphic, animation and multimedia, inserting sound and movies and import or export from other Office Suite applications)
• Advanced (Extensive knowledge of almost all functions of program including building interactive presentations, creating interactive objects and explore online meetings and broadcast presentations)
• None of the above

13

Please indicate your level of proficiency with Microsoft Word.

• Beginner (Basic knowledge of creating, editing, formatting, and saving simple documents; inserting simple tables; and proofreading documents for accuracy)
• Intermediate (Knowledge of common commands such as creating a title; using, modifying, and creating styles; setting up the ruler; indenting paragraphs, using tabs and tables; inserting captions, footnotes, endnotes, special characters, or hard page breaks; using page numbering; creating headers and footers; inserting graphics; inserting an equation, adding comments and tracking changes.)
• Advanced (Extensive knowledge of almost all function of program including mail merge, macros, creating a table of contents, creating bookmarks and cross-referencing.)
• No experience

14

How many years of full-time equivalent facility or building management 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

15

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you have working with volunteer or paid staff?

• 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

16

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have creating and maintaining interpretive exhibits and on-line interpretation?

• 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

17

What type of experience do you possess in managing seasonal operations or events? Check all that apply.

• Managed summer camps
• Large day events such as festivals
• Rental operations
• Volunteer events
• Other

18

If you answered "Other" for the previous question, please indicate the event experience(s). If this does not apply to you, enter "N/A".
Required Question