Adapted Programs Specialist (Park/Rec Specialist III)

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking an Adapted Program Specialist to be a part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With more than 25,000 acres of parkland, nine RECenters, 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 performs highly skilled work with individuals with disabilities. Directs and guides the work of professional and paraprofessional staff in the provision of adapted recreation activities for individuals with disabilities. Directs and monitors the planning, coordination, administration, and evaluation of several countywide programs. Researches and develops adapted recreation programs, practices, and protocols. obtains and coordinates the resource requirements of assigned programs. Prepares special studies and reports on various disability issues. Identifies, analyzes, and resolves problems. Assumes supervisor on-duty responsibilities for handling weekend and evening program problems and serves as the department liaison to a variety of project committees, teams, and community groups. Coordinates and obtains resources required for program implementation. develops community partnerships. Conducts ongoing evaluation and quality assessments of programs and analyzes findings. Recruits, interviews, hires, directs, and evaluates the work activities of program staff. Coordinates work schedules and training of all staff. Coordinates facility scheduling. Recommends policy and operational procedures. Tracks program expenditure information and completes administrative reports. Works with the agency's public information personnel in the marketing of programs and services, and performs other work as assigned.

(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;
• Ensures accountability for fixed assets;
• Ensures that all facilities meet quality standards for housekeeping, cleanliness, and maintenance;
• Ensures that facilities and grounds are free of safety hazards, that appropriate safety measures are implemented, and that all federal, state, and county safety standards are applied and satisfied;
• Develops and implements security guidelines to protect park facilities and the public against fire, vandalism, and other threats;
• 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;
• Acquires and posts all current certificates, licenses, permits, and operating requirements;
• Reviews and makes recommendations on plans for new park or facility constructions;
• 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 accountability for resale inventories;
• Conducts and/or reviews initial client intake, assessment and general functioning screening of children, teens, and adults with disabilities to determine appropriate treatment protocol for each assigned client;
• Ensures best practices and protocols are followed by staff through training and assessment of work.

• 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.

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

(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 develop and implement staff training programs;
• Ability to plan, develop, and administer recreation programs and community service activities to meet the special needs of at-risk populations and communities;
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with staff, citizen groups, and the public;
• Ability to work independently using sound judgment in the execution of the position's duties. If assigned to teen/senior positions:
• Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
• Knowledge of youth-related risk factors and early identification criteria. If assigned to therapeutic recreation positions:
• 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 OSHA/Universal precaution standards;
• Working knowledge of general medical and psychiatric terminology.

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, 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience developing, directing, monitoring, and evaluating countywide programs serving individuals with disabilities.
• Previous management experience in the provision of adapted recreation activities for individuals with disabilities.
• First Aid certification. CPR certification.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's License (required)
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (Required)

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to 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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