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 leader, the Fairfax County Park Authority. A large and complex park system encompassing over 24,000 acres of land, 422 parks, an estimated 18 million park visitors, 500 full-time employees, 2,500 seasonal employees and over 2,000 volunteers. The Fairfax County Park Authority has been the recipient of the prestigious Gold Medal Award for the best park system in the country and accredited by the Commission of Park and Recreation Accreditation (CAPRA) four times with 100% compliance for every review.
 
The Park Authority is seeking an innovative, collaborative, business-minded and highly experienced individual to lead the Park Authority’s Park Services Division. Reporting to the Park Authority’s Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer, this position provides leadership, direction, and oversight to nine Rec Centers, outdoor aquatic facilities, 1000’s of programs, camps and events, centralized registration and park permits, and agencywide inclusion and ADA services.
 
Also provides leadership, management and direction to agency's primary enterprise division that includes five branches and more than $50 million revenue and expense budgets; 12 park/recreation facilities (includes recreation centers, parks and outdoor aquatic facilities); 100 merit staff, 2000 exempt limited term staff, 1000 volunteers; division-wide programming (classes, camps, events and tournaments), youth services, fitness and aquatics and central customer services as well as agency wide ADA compliance for all park facility development, access and programming. Develops and leads implementation of annual operational plans, human resource and organizational development plans, procedures, and policies to ensure the needs of the Fairfax County community are addressed.
 
The position is a key member of the executive director’s senior management team and participates in the development of a variety of agencywide plans and initiatives. This key leadership position is responsible for the execution of components of the Park Authority’s Strategic Plan and CAPRA accreditation identifying, assigning, and tracking workload assignments to ensure on time completion. The position helps develop internal and external policy and ensures compliance with all policy and procedures that govern, regulate, or guide the Park Authority.
 
Also publicly represents the Park Authority as the face of the agency and presents relevant information at board, council, community, and homeowners association meetings and to staff. This job is varied in nature, and the incumbent must exercise considerable leadership and independent judgment. Business acumen is essential as well as effective skills in communication, political astuteness, team building, process evaluation, supervision, managing and working in a diverse environment.
 
The assigned functional areas are Recreation, Park management, Business management, Facility management, or a closely related field.  

A Realistic Job Preview will be held on January 12, 2026, at 1:00PM (EST).  Please utilize the link (Click here to join the meeting) to access the Realistic Job Preview meeting.

The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods, and challenges of organization and management;
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of the assigned functional area;
• 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 peers, other County employees, Board members, public and private sector officials, and citizen groups;

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 college or university with a Bachelor's degree appropriate to the functional area (recreation, park management, business administration or related field); Plus, five years of administrative experience in the appropriate functional area.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: 
Driver's license

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check and, driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Eight years progressive leadership experience. 
• Experience managing a self-sustaining revenue operation. 
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO), Certified Personal Trainer
• Experience managing and implementing organizational improvement processes.
• Experience working with governing and advisory boards, elected officials, and community group.
• Experience developing strategic, operational or development plans.
• Experience managing/developing operational programs.
• Experience developing, evaluating and managing self-sustaining programs and facilities.
• Experience facilitating workgroups and multifaceted projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Detail oriented with the ability to handle multiple tasks. 
• Works well independently and with minimal direction and works effectively leading and as a participant on teams. 
• Knowledge and experience with process improvement and strategic planning.