Career and Education

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a Director of Agronomy 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.

Under limited direction of the Golf Division Director, this position serves as the Golf Division’s Director of Agronomy to oversee the implementation of short- and long-term planning directly related to golf course turf/grounds management, prioritized golf course and infrastructure projects and individual strategic work plans for each individual site to establish uniformity and consistent revenue growth due to exceled turf & equipment conditions. Will be point of contact for county-wide new asset management and work order implementation. He/she will coordinate efforts with division director regarding budget planning for each golf course and the Golf Division as a whole and will directly analyze and manage the maintenance expense budget. Will supervise and consult the agronomic and equipment operations of the seven golf facilities with direct supervision of the seven superintendents and subsequently, the entire golf maintenance department. This position will oversee the chemical & fertilizer program presented and implemented by the golf course superintendents as well as leveraging multi-facility buying programs for maximum cost reduction. Will work collaboratively with FCPA’s Safety Analyst to ensure all staff are properly and procedurally trained to operate all maintenance equipment. 

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.) 

• Plans and directs the operations and activities of a number of sites which offer a wide variety of activities and programs;
• Develops long-range goals and strategic plans;
• Prepares annual operating objectives and monitors progress toward these objectives;
• Analyzes prior years’ expenditures, revenues, and compiles, reviews and submits the operating budget;
• Reviews and prioritizes capital improvement budgets and estimates the costs of new and/or renovated facilities;
• Serves as a member of the division senior management team which includes participating in the formulation of policy and advising on decision-making at the division level;
• Develops management indicators for budget development and evaluation of organizational performance;
• Analyzes programs’ use patterns and performance compared to goals, reports the results, and recommends improvements;
• Identifies operational deficiencies and projects operational requirements for new and expanded facilities;
• Reviews and approves policies and procedures and implements or recommends changes as appropriate;
• Evaluates suggestions for new programs and for improvements to existing programs;
• Supervises and counsels subordinate personnel and provides for training and career development;
• Establishes performance standards and evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel.

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 park and recreation management;
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of organization and management;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration;
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of subordinate personnel;
• Ability to supervise, evaluate and counsel employees;
• Ability to analyze programs and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
• Ability to prepare clear, concise financial and administrative reports;
• Ability to evaluate, refine and consolidate budget requests;
• Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment;
• Ability to work effectively in a group of both peers and subordinates;
• Ability to keep abreast of developments in the field;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the 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 degree in recreation and park management or other closely related field;
Plus, five years of progressively responsible experience in park-related work, including responsible administrative/managerial experience, preferably in the applicable functional area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Five years progressive leadership experience in the golf and/or turf management industry. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Detail oriented with the ability to handle multiple tasks. Demonstrated ability to run a professional, efficient, high quality, service-oriented operation. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Supervisory, coaching, and staff development experience. Strong business aptitude and passion for the golf business.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, child protective services registry check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
 
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Ability to spend extended periods of time standing and walking; ability to bend, twist, turn and stoop; physical dexterity to operate a computer; Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Ability to traverse uneven during; ability to spend time outdoors during inclement weather. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
           
SELECTION PROCEDURE: 
Panel interview; may include exercise.      
 
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% 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. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.