Career Center

Under general direction of the town manager, the purpose of this position is to lead, direct, supervise and evaluate comprehensive and inclusive parks and recreation through recreation program planning and development, facilities operation and maintenance, and capital improvement developments. Employees in this classification perform managerial and supervisory work at a leadership level. Position is responsible for providing recreation services; also managing, directing and overseeing the town’s cemetery services operations; representing town and department coordination of parks and recreation services with community sports, schools, arts, non-profits, and business organizations; and providing leadership, management and oversight to the five parks and recreation operating divisions: administration, recreation programs, facilities, aquatics, and parks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Leads, directs and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining and completing employee performance evaluations for the purpose of creating a collaborative, inclusive work environment. Develops and establishes evaluation criteria and performance objectives of senior staff; reviews performance evaluations prepared by senior staff for subordinates; trains employees; reviews and approves all personnel actions related to personnel recruitment, candidate selection, investigations, terminations, or disciplinary actions. Provides analysis for compensation recommendations, classification changes, department reorganization and requests for new positions in conjunction with Human Resources Department.

2. Serves as the department liaison with management team, town governing body, town boards and commissions, department advisory committees and among town departments.

3. Coordinates the development of, and ensures the equity of, department standards and procedures, as well as generates various reports and resolutions for items requiring town governing body approval.

4. Provides comprehensive management, oversight, evaluation, and supervision to all parks and recreation operating divisions: administration, recreation programs, facilities, aquatics and parks, as well as the town’s cemetery, that thrive within a culture of professionalism and effective communication. Nurtures among staff the belief that ‘all children are capable of success, no exceptions.’

5. Coordinates the development and implementation of the department’s strategic plan and system master plan; ensures compliance with and accurate record keeping of agency accreditation standards; oversees the review of the department’s administrative, programming, marketing and community relations, and security and emergency plans.

6. Conducts department senior staff and division head meetings; participates in management team meetings and town vision planning, goals and objectives; attends governing body work sessions and public hearings; conducts presentations and discussions as required.

7. Reviews health and safety reports from county and state certifications and licensing departments. Serves on the town’s emergency operations command and is a National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) certified support member.

8. Continuously monitors and evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of department methods, procedures, and programs, including technologic resources; assesses and monitors workloads; identifies and implements opportunities for improvement; emphasizes diversity, reduces barriers to participation and access, provides for equity and inclusivity in all operational and programmatic aspects. Reviews with town manager where appropriate.

9. Serves as department representative for capital improvement projects for consultant selection, planning and design, plan review and implementation.

10. Maintains a working relationship with regional, state, and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental service providers, that impact recreational services within the town. Represents the town and department with coordination of parks and recreation services with community sports, arts, non-profits and business organizations. Coordinates with Fairfax County agencies for the maintenance and delivery of county parks and recreation services; interacts with parks and school officials for capital improvements, maintenance activities and use of facilities.

11. Regularly participates with other town staff in community planning that will impact the town’s parks and recreation services, including review of developer applications for re-zoning and site plan developments, to analyze impacts on parks and recreation facilities, and provides recommendations for proffers and improvements as required.

12. Serves on town committees for projects determined by the town manager.

13. Oversees departmental needs assessments and survey of patrons and citizens on effectiveness of programs and services; receives citizen input through verbal, written, and electronic communications regarding issues, concerns and general customer service. Analyzes survey data, regional and national trends, available local recreation services, and provides input to the town’s comprehensive plan.

14. Provides high level customer service by receiving and responding to sensitive citizen and employee inquiries pertaining to department operations, procedures and customer service inquiries.

15. Leads the internal and external Herndon festival committees and has a lead role in other department sponsored events. Serves as liaison to community events as assigned by Town Manager. Leads the town manager’s cemetery advisory committee and associated project reports.

16. Provides management, supervision, and direction to the operation of the town’s Chestnut Grove Cemetery for sales, services, rules, regulations, contracts, and maintenance. Works closely with Cemetery Manager to recommend cemetery budget, maintenance, development, financial and business plans, forecasts revenue and expenditures for enterprise fund operations.

17. Conducts on-site inspections of town parks for quality of maintenance and equipment. Coordinates maintenance services, quality, scheduling, and improvements of town parks with the town’s public works department and the town forester. Directs staff in the development of project scope or oversight where appropriate. Coordinates/designates coordinator to develop, promote, and oversee youth and adult volunteer projects in the parks. Oversees volunteer screening process.

18. Reviews proposed town administrative regulations and provides recommendations or policy development for town manager actions.

19. Develops departmental budgets to meet governing body-directed revenue recovery requirements and prepares performance goals and objectives; reviews and manages expenditures for conformance with approved budgets. Authorizes transfers of funds within operating accounts up to set limitations; completes regular review of business services for revenue development, in accordance with budget collection. Prepares department’s annual report.

20. Develops and recommends capital improvement projects for the town’s capital improvement program to include scope, justification, cost and scheduling; develops financial feasibility analysis for programs and facility expansions or enterprise operations; consults with Public Works and others as appropriate.

21. Follows town procurement policies and approves procurement of department products and services. Reviews and approves contracts, submits to the Town Attorney and manages the submission of required insurance documents with the Risk Manager. Develops, in conjunction with the town’s procurement department, invitations to bid or requests for proposals for equipment, services and products.

22. Approves and manages fees and charges for parks and recreation services and recommends fees for admissions, passes, and facilities use to the town manager. 

23. Models the value of on-going professional development through participation in state and/or national parks and recreation industry associations and pertinent educational programs and encourages the same for professional staff.

24. May serve as town’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, for ADA titles II-V.

25. Performs other duties as required.

HOURS:

 MON - FRI, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M; to include periodic weeknight and weekend work for board meetings and projects.

LOCATION:

Herndon Community Center; 814 Ferndale Ave. Herndon VA 20170   

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree in recreation management, business administration, public administration or closely related field desired.
• Supplemented by minimum of eight years’ experience and training that includes facilities operation and management, recreation program and event supervision, planning and development, personnel and financial management, design and construction, and park maintenance.
• Minimum of five years’ supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable record.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Duties involve the ability to exert moderate, physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 50 pounds). May involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation; requires the ability to perform semi-skilled, coordinated movements such as those required to operate computer and office equipment; some duties require visual perception and discrimination; some duties require oral communications ability.

Tasks may risk exposure to adverse, environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease and pathogenic substances.