Director of Leisure and Learning (Park/Recreation Specialist IV)

Reston Community Center (RCC) seeks a highly motivated individual who can lead a dynamic and diverse team of recreation and leisure time professionals in delivery of a high-quality, innovative district-wide menu of program options for the community of Reston, Virginia. Programming and services address the leisure-time needs for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The successful candidate will have experience in administrative functions and a demonstrated track record of achievement.

Schedule: RCC provides flexible scheduling to accommodate varying event and activity presentation scheduling. Some evening and weekend work is required.

Illustrative Duties

General

• Directs the overall operations, services, and personnel of an assigned park location or unit and ensures that agency standards for cleanliness, maintenance, safety, and operational effectiveness are met at assigned sites and facilities;
• Plans, schedules, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff and ensures the availability of training and professional development programs;
• Coordinates and interacts with other County agencies on issues affecting park/recreation management and operations;
• Compiles and monitors the annual budget for the assigned unit and develops quarterly target projections and budget plans;
• Researches and develops program standards that comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, that meet industry standards, and that assure participant safety;
• Researches, develops and analyzes consumer needs, interests, and resources through a variety of assessment tools to determine appropriate instructional opportunities and leisure activities;
• Oversees the development and implementation of community outreach plans to target underserved populations, to increase overall participation in programs, and to ensure the resolution of community concerns and customer complaints;
• Establishes fee schedules and marketing formats and evaluates program participation levels and profit margins;
• Prepares, reviews, and evaluates financial and administrative reports to analyze current practices and trends and initiates actions to maximize site use and revenue;
• Participates in the development of short- and long-term goals, operating objectives, strategies and implementation plans, and submits recommendations for improved service delivery to ensure that scheduling of activities at facilities maximizes revenue and customer satisfaction;
• Authorizes the procurement of required items or services.

Programming

• Designs, plans, promotes, and supervises recreation program delivery through classes, camps, tours, workshops, and clubs at community centers, schools, trips, tournaments, family outings, and other recreational areas;
• Coordinates recreation programs with other public and private agencies’ programs.

Management

• Surveys potential new facilities, coordinates the scheduling of facilities with school administrative personnel, and resolves usage problems;
• Participates in interdisciplinary human service planning teams;
• Develops and supports ongoing collaborative relationships with County agencies and other community-based agencies in order to identify service delivery needs, identify and develop community resources and coordinate efforts to meet those needs.
• Identifies and establishes collaborative partners hips with community leaders, schools, agencies, businesses and non-profits to develop programs that support agency initiatives.
• Manages group processes through facilitation, conflict resolution, mediation, consensus building and leadership development.

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of park or recreation center management;
• Knowledge of financial management controls relating to accounting and budgeting;
• Knowledge of group work methods;
• Knowledge of various athletics, arts and crafts, drama, group activities and day camps;
• Ability to motivate, supervise, and evaluate staff and to develop and implement staff training programs;
• Ability to schedule, coordinate, and prioritize the work of a diverse groups of employees;
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
• Ability to prepare clear and concise financial, administrative, and operational reports;
• Ability to prepare and adhere to budgets;
• Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment;
• Ability to obtain support of leaders and participants for programming implementation;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, citizen groups, and the public;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
• Knowledge of youth-related risk factors and early identification criteria.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, tools and techniques of community building and planning.

Employment Standards

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 recreation and park management, therapeutic recreation, business administration/management, public administration, or a closely related field.; plus four years of progressively responsible experience in park management or multi-faceted recreation center management providing a variety of recreation programs in the area of assignment; two years of the required experience must have included supervisory duties.

Certificates And Licenses Required

Not applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree or equivalent in fields of public administration, recreation/leisure or related areas;
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, ideally in a large recreational or cultural facility.
• Experience in administrative functions, to include but not limited to: budgeting and financial management; developing strategic, operational and program development plans;
• Demonstrated experience in the following: Managing operational programs providing direct service delivery; developing operational programs providing direct service delivery; planning and developing new cultural or recreation programs; and managing and building customer relationships;
• Experience working with governing and advisory boards, elected officials, and community groups;
• Demonstrated track record of achievement;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, to include Access,Excel ,Word PowerPoint, and Outlook;
• Proficient in RecTrac or similar registration and facility management software platform

Necessary Special Requirements

• All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.
• The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and Child Protective Services Registry check.

Physical Requirements

Generally sedentary, some walking, standing, speaking, bending, and lifting. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Selection Procedure

Panel interview and may include awriting exercise.

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. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.