Green Spring Gardens Site Manager (Naturalist IV)

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a site manager 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.

As the Green Spring Gardens Site Manager (Naturalist IV) this position leads a 31-acre accredited public garden that welcomes 100,000 visitors annually who tour the 18 themes gardens and natural areas and participate in a variety of educational programs. Featured on the site is a 1784 brick historic house listed on the national register for its 1942 interior design by architect Walter Macomber and landscape design by Beatrix Farrand. This position manages the Park Authority countywide horticulture program including other satellite sites (White Gardens and Clark House), the Fairfax County Farmers Markets, Gardens Plots, and liaison to the Friends of Green Spring (FROGs), Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Green Spring Extension Master Gardeners. The site manager at Green Spring Gardens will connect the community to natural and cultural resources through horticulture, education, and stewardship and will work closely with colleagues whose expertise spans cultural resources, archaeology, heritage conservation, and natural resources. Occasional weekends, holidays, and evenings may be required.

• Directs and coordinates the implementation of conservation or horticultural policies and procedures for the division;
• Develops long- and short- term goals, operating objectives, strategies, and implementation plans;
• Makes recommendations to the division manager or branch manager regarding long range plans;
• Coordinates research studies and the preparation of technical reports;
• Provides technical expertise to agency and county regarding key issues related to parklands and natural resources;
• Contributes to the development of Park Authority and county-wide strategic plans related to natural or horticultural resources;
• Maintains liaison with other key park officials, other agencies, citizens' organizations, and the public on issues of environmental concern pertaining to parklands and natural resources;
• Develops and submits an annual operating budget and monitors revenue/expenditure performance levels;
• Directs staff operations and training.

• Thorough knowledge of nature conservation theory and philosophy;
• Extensive knowledge of conservation program management practices;
• Ability to plan and direct comprehensive conservation programs and activities;
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
• Ability to plan, direct and manage the work of subordinate staff;
• Ability to evaluate employee's performance against comprehensive performance standards;
• Ability to develop and implement effective management practices;
• Ability to prepare and adhere to a budget;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with public officials, staff, and the general public.

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 four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in horticulture, natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, public gardens management, education, or a closely related field; Plus, five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of conservation management, environmental education, park programming, or a closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous public garden, historic site, and/or natural resource site management experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with applying the methods, principles, techniques, and practices necessary to document a site with horticultural natural and cultural resources.
• Demonstrated ability to use effective leadership skills in interpersonal relations and team building, fostering positive relationships with managers, peers, subordinates, customers, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing master plans, interpretive plans, operational plans, and other strategic documents.
• Demonstrated ability to set and maintain multiple program priorities while remaining flexible, collaborative, and responsive to diverse stakeholder needs.
• Experience managing sustainable, revenue-generating programs and public facilities.
• Comprehensive understanding of budget development and management, and with direct experience in overseeing budgets.
• Experience managing sustainable, revenue-generating programs and public facilities.
• Demonstrated strong political acumen and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures, build consensus, and engage effectively with elected officials, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 or equivalent productivity software. applications or similar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• National Association for Interpretation certification is desirable.

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.