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Rec Center Manager (Park/Rec Specialist IV)

Fairfax County Government
$75,474.26 - $125,790.50 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, child care, retirement plan
United States, Virginia, Springfield
Mar 07, 2026

Job Announcement

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a rec center manager to be a part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With over 425 parks, 23,000 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.

This position directs and supervises the work of staff in planning and operating the rec center facilities, programs, and services. Conducts financial management and analyses. Manages and tracks annual budget and revenue projections. Authorizes purchases and reviews expenses. Manages annual and long-range plans, performance objectives, and business strategies. Projects maintenance and capital improvement needs, scheduling, and funding strategy. Ensures facility and staff compliance with operational, safety and maintenance standards. Supervises, trains, counsels, and evaluates staff. Interacts with user/community groups and citizens. Work shifts will include manager on duty responsibilities and may vary depending on staffing levels and workload. First Aid/CPR certification required within 90 days of employment.

Note: This recruitment will be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)
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;
  • Reviews and recommends actions on plans for the acquisition, development, construction, and renovation of park facilities;
  • Inspects, reports, and resolves encroachments with citizens and appropriate staff;
  • Ensures that all required certificates, licenses, and permits are current and posted.

Management

  • Participates in interdisciplinary human service planning teams;
  • Ensures completion the Division's license applications to operate programs and compliance with governing regulations;
  • 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.
  • Develops a regional communication network to share and exchange information on regional issues and trends.
  • 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

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

  • 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 manage a large complex operation with extensive capital equipment, property value, and inventory;
  • 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. If assigned to therapeutic recreation positions or positions dealing with access for disabled persons:
  • Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of therapeutic recreation and disability issues;
  • Knowledge of the specific limitations associated with various disabilities;
  • Knowledge of general medical and psychiatric terminology;
  • Knowledge of OSHA/Universal precaution standards;
  • Knowledge of legislation and design standards for persons with disabilities.
  • If assigned to teen/senior positions:
  • Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
  • Knowledge of youth-related risk factor s and early identification criteria. If assigned to regional coordination positions:
  • Knowledge of principles, practices, tools, and techniques of team-based management- facilitation, consensus decision-making, conflict resolution;
  • 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:

  • Driver's License (Required)
  • Pool Operator's License (Required within 3 months)
  • CPR/First Aid (Required within 3 months)

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

PREFERRRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration, leisure services, or closely related field; supplemented by a minimum of four years of experience in the management of a large-scale municipal recreation center.
  • Demonstrated abilities in: management of maintenance and operations; financial and resource management; annual and long-range planning; personnel management; community outreach; and leadership.
  • Experience using FOCUS RecDynamics, and Microsoft Office software.
  • Certified Park and Recreational Professional (CPRP).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift up to 10lbs. Ability to use cleaning equipment. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

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.

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. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.

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