General Programs Director (Park/Rec Specialist III)

Do you have a passion for creating meaningful experiences and lifelong learning opportunities for county residents of all ages? This position plans, coordinates, schedules, and manages high-quality programs and services designed to meet the needs of residents of all ages in Small District 1A- Dranesville. The McLean Community Center (MCC) serves as a cornerstone of the community, delivering exceptional programs and services that enhance the quality of life for residents.

About the role

Plays a vital role in advancing the Center’s mission by ensuring that residents in the district remain active, engaged, and connected through a diverse array of recreational, educational, and cultural offerings. The general programs department includes instructional programs, the Seniors in Action program, Old Firehouse programs & activities, special events, and the registration department.

This role requires strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build positive, collaborative environments with vendors, staff, and community members. The position works under the supervision of the executive director and ensures the preparation, implementation, and adherence to the annual department budget, which consists of four separate budgets (classes, Seniors in Action, Old Firehouse, and special events). The role also involves generating and submitting monthly attendance reports.

Responsibilities

• Schedules, plans, organizes, supervises, and evaluates a diverse selection of leisure activities, programs, and special events.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with community members, instructors, and vendors.
• Develops and implements community outreach plans to increase attendance of community members from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Develops, prepares, forecasts, and submits an annual budget.
• Enforces operating policies and procedures, evaluates their effectiveness, and recommends improvements to better meet the needs of the community.
• Supervises full-time and temporary staff, seasonal interns, and multiple contracted vendors.
• Recruits, hires, trains, and provides ongoing learning opportunities for staff.
• Follows the MCC production schedule to solicit programs from vendors, create bookings, and compile the instructional sections of the Program Guide four times a year, including fee structures, class descriptions, and vendor details.
• Researches emerging trends and reviews community feedback to inform future programming.
• Conducts programs and service delivery evaluations using a variety of tools; identifies deficiencies, recommends revisions, and implements recommendations using innovative strategies.
• Develops and maintains community and corporate partnerships and sponsorships or grants to provide services, funding, equipment, and/or facilities.
• Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff.
• Participates in the development of long- and short-term goals, operating objectives, and strategies to improve service delivery and maximize the efficient use of parklands and recreation facilities.
• Completes and evaluates various financial, administrative, and statistical reports from daily operations.
• Monitors revenue/expenditure levels against approved budget and targeted revenue plans.
• Ensures compliance with financial guidelines and reconciles revenue and expense reports.
• Authorizes the procurement of supplies, equipment, or services.
• Interacts with citizens and community organizations regarding park use, maintenance, and operations, ensuring resolution of customer complaints and concerns.
• Ensures compliance with established operating procedures.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the public and County staff.
• Prepares and reviews contracts for facility use and contractual services.
• Ensures best practices and protocols are followed by staff through training and assessment of work.
• Meets regularly with citizen advisory groups to discuss community needs, evaluates feasibility of suggestions, and incorporates viable proposals into programming.
• Provides coordination and support of special activities and events.
• Completes and maintains participant-related documents (assessment, service plan, progress notations) and adheres to agency policies regarding information contained within the documents.
• Participates in interdisciplinary human service planning teams.
• Works with other human service agencies to provide appropriate intervention strategies.
• Coordinates with health, social services, legal, financial, and housing professionals to arrange and conduct special programs.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in recreation and park, therapeutic recreation, horticulture, agriculture, cultural and historic resources, or other closely related field.
• Three years of experience in park or recreation-related work, including one year of supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification (required within 3 months of hire).
• The appointee will be required to complete a criminal background check, child protective services registry, and driving record check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, program management, liberal arts, or other closely related field.
• At least four years of consecutive experience in programming and development of leisure classes, continuing education classes, recreation instructional program planning, scheduling, budgeting, implementation, and registration management oversight.
• Ability and knowledge of creating programs for various age groups and diverse populations, including meeting the needs of at-risk populations.
• Experience in creating and maintaining annual budgets.
• Ability to report and present in front of staff and the public.
• Knowledge of county or comparable RFP review and negotiation process.
• Knowledge of county or comparable procurement process, including RFPs, purchase orders, and procurement cards.
• Knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Knowledge and experience using registration software, such as Active.net, RecTrac, etc.
• Excellent customer service skills, and strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation center operations, maintenance, and management.
• Knowledge of group work methods and activity facilitation.
• Knowledge of financial management controls relating to budgeting and accounting of expenditures.
• Ability to manage a large complex operation with extensive capital equipment, property value, and inventory.
• Ability to motivate and supervise staff.
• Ability to schedule, coordinate, and prioritize the work of a diverse group of employees.
• Ability to evaluate employees' performance against comprehensive performance standards.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise financial and administrative reports.
• Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives.
• Ability to prepare and adhere to budgets.
• Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment.
• Ability to develop and implement effective management practices.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with staff, citizen groups, and the public.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to assist with program and event set-up and take down, including moving chairs, tables, tents, equipment, etc.
• Ability to drive a personal and/or county vehicle.
• May be required to lift up to 35 lbs.
• Job is generally sedentary but requires visual acuity to read data on a computer monitor and operate keyboard-driven equipment.
• Must be able to clearly communicate with others verbally and in writing.
• Requires physical mobility and sensory awareness sufficient to observe and direct staff performance, activities of minors, facility operation, and maintenance.
• Requires the ability to stand for long periods, stooping, bending, and walking.
• All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Schedule

Due to program requirements, this position may require frequent evening, weekend, and holiday work.

Pay

The salary offer will not exceed the midpoint of the advertised compensation range, which is $96,456.05.