Visitor Services Manager (Naturalist II) at Fairfax County Government

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 Visitor Services Manager (Naturalist II) for Riverbend 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, four waterfront 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, programs, rentals, marina operations, events, all visitor services, and its amenities, including stewarding the site's natural and cultural resources, maintaining facilities, and managing staff at Riverbend Park, as well as the nearby Scotts Run Nature Preserve and the Turner Farm Observatory Park. Develops and updates a site operations plan and other applicable plans for supervising the daily site operations in accordance with those plans. Responsible for staffing, evaluating, and scheduling volunteer and staff for visitor services and public programming, facility use, and all other activities related to the administration. Leads collaborative initiatives with stakeholders, such as the Friends of Riverbend Park, FCPA leadership, elected and appointed officials are expected. Holiday and weekends may be required.

• Directs all aspects of visitor/nature center including staffing, facility use, security, safety, resource protection, visitor control, operating procedures and hours of operation, and procurement of supplies, equipment and services;
• Assists site manager in the research, writing, implementation and evaluation of the site's annual operational plan, project plans, prospectus and interpretive plan, including goals and objectives for delivering programs and services;
• Plans, develops and executes an interpretive management program for the nature center;
• Responds to visitor, telephone and staff inquiries concerning natural and cultural history and conservation matters;
• Investigates and responds to citizen complaints and concerns;
• Assists in the development of and accounting for the site annual budget, including donated funds;
• Supervises submission of cash reports and required reporting of management indicators such as visitation, program numbers, and project accounting;
• Disburses site petty cash funds;
• Recruits, interviews, selects, trains, supervises, sets priorities and work schedules, assigns projects and evaluates paid and volunteer staff;
• Assists section manager and agency by providing professional and technical expertise in natural resource protection to include reviewing development plans, managing natural and cultural resource inventory, providing guidance on land acquisitions, and assisting in the development of the agency's strategic natural resource management plan;
• Provides technical support on resource stewardship issues to include researching, writing and producing educational material, articles for publication, signage, exhibit components, training modules and presentations, updates to environment reference manual, and preparation of standard operating procedures for Park Authority policies addressing natural resource issues.

• Knowledge of nature conservation theory and philosophy;
• Knowledge of conservation program and resource management practices;
• Knowledge of the natural and biological sciences including the theory, principles and practices of interpretation and environmental education;
• Knowledge of native flora, fauna, geology and ecology of the local area;
• Knowledge of local environmental issues and conservation practices;
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of park management;
• Ability to provide technical resource and program leadership to naturalist staff;
• Ability to perform effective administrative work including budgeting, human resource management, purchasing, and the development of short and long range operational plans;
• Ability to manage and operate interpretation/conservation programs at a site;
• Ability to manage paid and volunteer staff engaged in professional naturalist and technical support positions;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to deal effectively with citizen inquiries and complaints;
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with the community and organizations concerned with environmental, natural, cultural and wildlife matters;
• Ability to analyze and recommend solutions to environmental problems.

• Experience with the management and operation of a large public park Knowledge of local natural and cultural history.
• Experience in managing waterfront site operations.
• Experience in managing marina and boat rental operations.
• Experience in operating power boats, and paddle crafts.
• 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.
• Experience in education instruction.
• Experience managing outdoor recreation activities.
  

• Driver's license (required)
• CPR/First Aid (Required within 3 months)
• Virginia Boater's Safety Certification (Required Within 90 days)