Salary : $63,732.03 - $111,531.06 Annually
Location : RIVERBEND PARK, 8700 POTOMAC HILL ST, GREAT FALLS (GC01), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-01141
Department: Park Authority
Opening Date: 07/25/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S22
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

This position researches, plans, schedules, coordinates, conducts, and reports on natural resource management activities and park operations. Assesses and manages the impacts of wildlife, non-native and invasive species, disease, and stresses on natural communities/ecosystems at Riverbend Park and Scott's Run Nature Preserve, as well as at other assigned sites with the same or nearby districts. Assists in the site's and agency's strategic natural resource protection program by providing professional and technical expertise in the areas of natural resource inventory, development plan review, and assistance in the development of the site and agency strategic natural resource management plans. Cooperates with agency resource managers and other county departments to perform management actions throughout county when needed. In cooperation with the park's visitor services manager, contributes to visitor services and natural resource interpretation. Collaborates on initiatives with stakeholders, such as the Friends of Riverbend Park, FCPA leadership, elected and appointed officials are expected. Holiday and weekends may be required.
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.)

• Directs all aspects of visitor/nature center 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 an interpretive management program for the nature center;
  
• Responds to visitor, telephone and staff inquiries concerning natural and cultural history and conservation matters;
  
• 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;
  
• Assists section manager and agency by providing professional and technical expertise in natural resource protection to include reviewing development plans, managing natural and cultural resource inventory, providing guidance on land acquisitions, and assisting in the development of the agency's strategic natural resource management plan;
  
• Provides technical support on resource stewardship issues to include researching, writing, and producing educational material, articles for publication, signage, exhibit components, training modules and presentations, updates to environment reference manual, and preparation of standard operating procedures for Park Authority policies addressing natural resource issues.

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 nature conservation theory and philosophy;
  
• Knowledge of conservation program and resource management practices;
  
• Knowledge of the natural and biological sciences including the theory, principles and practices of interpretation and environmental education;
  
• Knowledge of native flora, fauna, geology, and ecology of the local area;
  
• Knowledge of local environmental issues and conservation practices;
  
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of park management;
  
• Ability to provide technical resource and program leadership to naturalist 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 manage paid and volunteer staff engaged in professional naturalist 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 relationships with the community and organizations concerned with environmental, natural, cultural and wildlife matters;
  
• Ability to analyze and recommend solutions to environmental problems.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, education or a closely related field; plus, two years of progressively responsible experience in conservation management, environmental education, interpretation, park programming, or a closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and three or more years of progressively responsible work experience in natural resource management at a park site with significant natural resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of natural and cultural resource protection.
• Experience managing volunteers and community projects.
• Demonstrated ability to: set and maintain program priorities while having the flexibility to adapt to change; collaborate and negotiate with diverse stakeholders; work well with teams, and establish positive relationships with managers, peers, subordinates, customers and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office software products. Experience using GIS software products.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• CPR/First Aid (Required within 3 months)
• Pesticide/Herbicide Applicator License (Required within one year)
• Wildland Fire Fighter (Required within one year)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to perform physical labor, such as field work on uneven terrain, operate equipment and machinery, and lift up to 50 lbs. 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 ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

#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
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click 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:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. 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
2. 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
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's 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

Is your degree in one of the following disciplines?

• Natural or life sciences (biology, ecology, etc.)
• Natural history
• Park management
• Education
• Plant sciences
• Environmental science
• Wetland science
• Wildlife studies
• 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 driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible experience do you have in conservation management, environmental education, interpretation, park programming, or a closely related field?(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

07

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working in a park or area with significant natural resources?

• 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

What kinds of plans have you developed or implemented? Check all that apply.

• Resource management plan
• Interpretive plan
• Safety and emergency plans
• Resource management project plan
• None of the above

09

The appointee to this position may be required to work nights, weekends or varying hours depending on project needs. Are you willing and able to perform in this capacity?

• Yes
• No

10

This position is an emergency personnel position, including snow events. Are you willing and able to perform in this capacity?

• Yes
• No

11

What professional certifications or course certificates do you currently possess?

• Interpretation
• Prescribed Burn Manager
• Wildland Firefighter
• Pesticide Applicator
• Environmental Education
• Other
• Not applicable

12

If you selected "Other " for the previous question, describe the professional certifications or course certificates. If not applicable to you, type "N/A."
13

Have you recruited, hired, trained and supervised staff?

• Yes
• No

14

What kinds of public presentations have you delivered?

• Public meetings
• Professional meetings
• School groups
• Lectures, classes, workshops, etc. for adults
• None of the above

15

Do you have experience operating tractors, sprayers, chain saws, and/or other machinery used in resource managemen