Job Abstract

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! Sully Historic Site within the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a Visitor Services Manager that oversees all aspects of daily visitor services such as programming, volunteers, education, training, interpretation, and historic collections management for the 120+ acre historic site that includes a restored C. 1794 federal period house and associated outbuildings. 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. The Visitor Services Manager leads long term planning for and directs daily operations of visitor services including managing the site's interpretation, exhibit/display care and creation, camps, volunteer program, training, managing large events, and store operations. This person also oversees the historic artifact collections onsite, including monitoring condition of historic buildings and operations for the park. They will assist with natural and cultural and resource projects, managing all sales and ticketing, rentals, and financial transactions, preparing administrative reports and plans, regular budget exercises and record keeping, office management, management of weekend and volunteer program staff, safety/security training and inspections, human resource functions, and assisting with outreach and advertising. Serves as Assistant Site Manager taking on site manager duties in the absence of the site manager. Work hours are generally 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular weekend work hours will be required. Occasional early morning, evening, and holidays will be required for special events, meetings, programs, resource management or front desk 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.)

• Directs all aspects of visitor programs and activities including staffing, facility use, security, safety, resource protection, visitor control, operating procedures and hours of operation, and procurement of supplies, equipment and services;
• Assists site manager in the research, writing, implementation and evaluation of the site’s annual operational plan, project plans, prospectus and interpretive plan, including goals and objectives for delivering programs and services;
• Plans, develops and executes site programming and interpretation including the planning, development and evaluation of site events, tours, exhibits, museum education and outreach programs;
• Manages site historic artifact collections ensuring compliance with guidelines for interpretation, security and maintenance procedures;
• Investigates and responds to citizen complaints and concerns;
• Assists in the development of, and accounting for, the site annual budget, including donated funds;
• Supervises submission of cash reports and required reporting of management indicators such as visitation, program numbers, and project accounting;
• Disburses site petty cash funds;
• Recruits, interviews, selects, trains, supervises, sets priorities and work schedules, assigns projects and evaluates paid and volunteer staff;
• Operates and maintains a historic structure, such as a 19th century gristmill and related machinery;
• Coordinates historic collections activity in areas of conservation, documentation, and
• interpretation;
• Develops and implements a division-wide publications and promotions program including a quarterly division publication to enhance understanding of the resource management division’s mission, functions, and operations;
• Develops and implements division and/or site promotional, advertising and marketing tools, utilizing appropriate media to reach targeted audiences.

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

• Knowledge of American and regional history;
• Knowledge of historical research procedures;
• Knowledge of the principles of historic education and interpretation;
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of historical park or museum management;
• Knowledge of curatorial practices and procedures;
• Ability to conduct comprehensive historical research and prepare factual reports on historical issues;
• Ability to provide technical resource and program leadership to historian staff;
• Ability to perform effective administrative work including budgeting, human resource management, purchasing, and the development of short and long range operational plans;
• Ability to manage and operate interpretation/conservation programs at a site;
• Ability to program and coordinate major special activities;
• Ability to supervise paid and volunteer staff engaged in professional historian and technical support positions;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to deal effectively with citizen inquiries and complaints;
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with staff and the general public.

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
American history, American studies, archaeology, museum education, or a closely related field; plus, two years of progressively responsible experience in museum or historical site interpretation, collections, education and/or research, or closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with the management and operation of a public park • Knowledge of local natural and cultural history.
• Experience in planning, coordinating, and conducting natural and/or cultural history interpretive programs.
• Experience writing interpretative exhibits, blogs and/or brochures.
• Experience operating a visitor center/nature center.
• Experience with financial management, analysis, and budgets.
• Experience with planning, reporting, and project and office management.
• Experience supervising paid and/or volunteer staff.
• Ability to work well with the public and colleagues.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Professional NAI certification.
• Experience in early education instruction.
• Experience managing outdoor recreation activities.