General Programs Director (Park/Rec Specialist III)

General Programs Director (Park/Rec Specialist III)

Salary

$70,149.87 - $122,762.22 Annually

Location

MCLEAN COMMUNITY CENTER, 1234 INGLESIDE, MCLEAN (JF17), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

26-01068

Department

Mclean Community Center

Opening Date

07/18/2026

Closing Date

7/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S24

Posting Type

Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

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. Located in Small District 1A- Dranesville, MCC serves as a cornerstone of the community, delivering exceptional programs and services that enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages. 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 the following program areas: instructional programs and Seniors in Action program; Old Firehouse programs & activities; special events; and registration department. Supervises program area managers and is responsible for the development and implementation of programs that serve senior, adults, teens, youth, and families. Also manages requests for proposals from service providers, developing program plans, identifying trends, and maintaining performance measurements for all stakeholders. This role requires strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build positive, collaborative environments with vendors, staff, and community members. This position works under the supervision of the executive director.

This position also 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) and is responsible for generating and submitting monthly attendance reports.

Other duties include the following: (The duties listed are not an all-encompassing list. A complete list of position duties can be found in the position description.)

• 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.
• Research emerging trends and reviews community feedback to inform future programming.

SCHEDULE: Due to programs this position may require frequent evening, weekend, and holiday work.

NOTE: The salary offer will not exceed the midpoint (or $96,456.05) of the advertised compensation range. Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools employees.

All applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter for this position. Please ensure that it is attached to your application prior to submission.

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 job description.)

General duties

• 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;
• Develops and implements community outreach plans that target underserved populations to increase overall program participation;
• Recruits, trains, and schedules staff and volunteers;
• Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff;
• Participates in the development of long- and short-term goals, operating objectives, and strategies and implementation plans 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;
• Develops and submits annual operating budgets and 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, and ensures 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.

Operations

• Ensures best practices and protocols are followed by staff through training and assessment of work.

Programming

• Schedules, plans, organizes, supervises, and evaluates a diverse selection of activities within the components of leisure that include after-school programs, community integration services, service-learning programs, character education activities, family activities, community outings, socials, hobby enrichment classes, leisure counseling and coaching, and therapeutic activity interventions;
• 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.

Management

• Completes and maintains participant-related documents (assessment, service plan, progress notations) and adheres to agencys 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.

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 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 to 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;

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 bachelors degree in recreation and park, therapeutic recreation, horticulture, agriculture, cultural and historic resources, or other closely related field as appropriate to the duties of the position;

Plus, three years of experience in park or recreation-related work, as applicable to the position, including one year of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Drivers License (Required)
• CPR (Required within 3 months)
• First Aid (Required within 3 months)
• AED (Required within 3 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, child protective services registry and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in recreation, program management, liberal arts, or other closely related field;
• Cover letter highlighting relevant skills and experiences that align with the job.
• Must have at least four years of consecutive experience in programming and development of either leisure class, 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 to include meeting the needs of at-risk populations.
• Ability to create and maintain annual budgets.
• Ability to report and present in front of staff and public.
• Knowledge of county, or comparable, RFP review and negotiation process.
• Knowledge of county, or comparable, procurement process, to include 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.
• Possess excellent customer service skills, and strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview; 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-SP1

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.

Non-Merit Positions

• Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage

• Flexible Spending Program

• Deferred Compensation

• Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Recreation and park management
• Therapeutic recreation
• Program management
• Liberal arts
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".

05

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in park or recreation-related work, as applicable to the position?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years

07

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you have in park or recreation-related work, as applicable to the position?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

08

How many years of full-time equivalent, progressively responsible experience in park or recreation services do you possess, specifically in program management, cultural, educational, or recreational classes? (Progressively responsible experience: Refers to tasks, job duties, or roles that demonstrate growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.)

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

09

How many staff members, interns, or volunteers have you professionally supervised at one time?

• None
• One to three staff members, interns, or volunteers
• Four to six staff members, interns, or volunteers
• Seven to ten staff members, interns, or volunteers
• Eleven or more staff members, interns, or volunteers

10

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

11

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have preparing and writing event program plans, class and course descriptions?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

12

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have creating, maintaining, and presenting program budgets?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

13

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have negotiating contracts with service providers and overseeing contracted services?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

14

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in program marketing, i.e., identifying, determining, and implementing marketing plans, strategies and publicity for class offerings, youth events and other related programs?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

15

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have preparing and presenting program information at public meetings or at large group meetings?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

16

How many years of full-time equivalent work experience do you have using registration software, such Active.net, RecTrac, or similar registration system software?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

17

Are you proficient in any of the following Microsoft Office Suite applications? Check all that apply.

• Outlook (Composing email messages; sending and receiving email messages; organizing email messages into folders; managing contacts; scheduling appointments & meetings, managing tasks)
• Word (Knowledge of common functions such as creating a title; using, modifying, and creating styles; indenting paragraphs; using tabs and tables; inserting a hard page break; using page numbering; creating headers and footers; inserting graphics; adding comments and tracking changes)
• PowerPoint (Creating a template and working with a design template; working with graphics, animation, and multimedia; building interactive presentations using hyperlinks)
• Excel (Basic knowledge of creating a worksheet; performing calculations in a worksheet; modifying and formatting a worksheet; printing workbook contents; creating and modifying pivot tables; using formulas and links to other cells/worksheets)
• Teams (Creating and editing Teams channel posts; adding members to channels; knowledge of meeting controls such as recording, breakout rooms, screen sharing; understanding teams and SharePoint relationship; manage shared files and permissions)
• None of the above

18

Due to the nature of the facilitys operations and the responsibilities associated with the position, working hours may vary. Are you willing and able to work flexible hours to include weekends, evenings, and occasional holidays?

• Yes
• No

19

A cover letter is a preferred qualification for this position, to provide additional context for your relevant work experience. Have you included a cover letter with your application?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Fairfax County

Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone 703-324-3311

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm