Park Services Division Director

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 Fairfax County Park Authority, which oversees an expansive park system of over 24,000 acres, 422 parks, an estimated 18 million visitors, and a staff of 500 full‑time employees plus 2,500 seasonal staff and over 2,000 volunteers.

The Park Authority is seeking an innovative, collaborative, business‑minded, and highly experienced individual to lead the Park Services Division. The incumbent will report to the Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer and will provide leadership, direction, and oversight to nine recreation centers, outdoor aquatic facilities, thousands of programs, camps, events, centralized registration, park permits, and agency‑wide inclusion and ADA services.

• Supervise staff and oversee all programs within the assigned functional area.
• Prepare the division’s budget, present it to the Park Authority Board, and monitor program expenditures.
• Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of division programs and conduct service needs assessments.
• Prepare, present, and be accountable for the implementation of the Annual Plan as it relates to the assigned functional area(s).
• Ensure division plans and programs complement agency goals and objectives.
• Act as an independent liaison with the Park Advisory Board and other boards and commissions, providing support to the Park Authority Board.
• Oversee special project work directed by the Board of Supervisors or the Park Authority Board and/or agency director.
• Represent the agency in meetings with public and private‑sector officials and citizen groups.
• Manage the Services Division, including recreation centers, marketing research functions, planning, scheduling, operations, and recommended program changes.
• Direct the development, evaluation, and enhancement of integrated operating procedures and review new program and facility requirements.
• Prepare recommendations for budget requests and priorities for the Park Authority Board in conjunction with other division directors.

• Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods, and challenges of organization and management.
• Thorough knowledge of public administration principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of the assigned functional area.
• Strong 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 with peers, other county employees, board members, public and private‑sector officials, and citizen groups.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in recreation, park management, business administration, or a related field; PLUS five years of administrative experience in the appropriate functional area.

• Eight years progressive leadership experience.
• Experience managing a self‑sustaining revenue operation.
• Certifications such as CPRP, CPRE, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, CPO, AFO, or Certified Personal Trainer.
• Experience managing and implementing organizational improvement processes.
• Experience working with governing and advisory boards, elected officials, and community groups.
• Experience developing strategic, operational, or development plans.
• Experience managing or developing operational programs.
• Experience developing, evaluating, and managing self‑sustaining programs and facilities.
• Experience facilitating work groups and multifaceted projects.
• Excellent verbal and written…