Sports Events & Tourism Association
Park Services Division Director
Sports Events & Tourism Association, Virginia, Minnesota, United States, 55792
Job Announcement
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 is 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 Recreational Centers, outdoor aquatic facilities, thousands of programs, camps and events, centralized registration and park permits, and agency‑wide inclusion and ADA services.
In addition, the role provides leadership, management, and direction to the agency’s primary enterprise division that includes five branches and more than $50 million in revenue and expense budgets; 12 park/recreation facilities (including recreation centers, parks and outdoor aquatic facilities); 100 merit staff, 2,000 exempt limited‑term staff, 1,000 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. This position develops and leads the 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.
As a key member of the executive director’s senior management team, the incumbent participates in the development of a variety of agency‑wide plans and initiatives. The 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 role helps develop internal and external policy and ensures compliance with all policies and procedures that govern, regulate, or guide the Park Authority.
The incumbent 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 1:00 PM (EST). Please utilize the link Click here to join the meeting to access the Realistic Job Preview meeting.
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.
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 with 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: a 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) and at least 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 groups
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
Physical Requirements Generally sedentary with walking and lifting up to 10 pounds. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
Selection Procedure Panel interview and may include exercise.
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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 Recreational Centers, outdoor aquatic facilities, thousands of programs, camps and events, centralized registration and park permits, and agency‑wide inclusion and ADA services.
In addition, the role provides leadership, management, and direction to the agency’s primary enterprise division that includes five branches and more than $50 million in revenue and expense budgets; 12 park/recreation facilities (including recreation centers, parks and outdoor aquatic facilities); 100 merit staff, 2,000 exempt limited‑term staff, 1,000 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. This position develops and leads the 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.
As a key member of the executive director’s senior management team, the incumbent participates in the development of a variety of agency‑wide plans and initiatives. The 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 role helps develop internal and external policy and ensures compliance with all policies and procedures that govern, regulate, or guide the Park Authority.
The incumbent 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 1:00 PM (EST). Please utilize the link Click here to join the meeting to access the Realistic Job Preview meeting.
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.
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 with 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: a 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) and at least 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 groups
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
Physical Requirements Generally sedentary with walking and lifting up to 10 pounds. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
Selection Procedure Panel interview and may include exercise.
#J-18808-Ljbffr