Natural Resources Manager

Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

Natural Resources Manager/ GS 20

Full Time Position

The City of Alexandria is in Northern Virginia bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. Once within the original boundary stones that demarked the area of the Nation’s Capital, Alexandria is a part of the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 157,600 Alexandria is the sixth largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unique and historic, Alexandria is a place that is experiencing substantial redevelopment appeal and business growth opportunities because of a high market demand for urban living in a quality environment. About one-quarter of the City’s 15.47 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district.

The City of Alexandria is an independent City with no county affiliation and derives its governing authority from a Charter granted by the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, allowing local governments only the authority expressly granted to them by the Virginia Constitution or by the Virginia General Assembly in the City Charter or in general law. City Council is the governing body, which formulates policies for the administration of the City. The mayor is chosen on a separate ballot and presides over sessions of the Council.

The City of Alexandria has been recognized as one of the top 100 Healthiest Workplaces by Healthiest Employers, securing the #74 spot on the national list. This achievement places Alexandria alongside a diverse range of organizations, including 17 other municipalities nationwide. Additionally, the City earned the top ranking in Virginia among cities with 1,000 to 4,999 employees.[JB1]

If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Natural Resource Manager position for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA).

• The mission of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is to enrich the City of Alexandria by creating meaningful experiences through public spaces, cultural activities, and programming.
• The Department’s vision is to improve the well-being of every person in our community by connecting them to each other and their environment.

Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) supports the well-being of Alexandria’s residents by ensuring access to a variety of quality recreation, park, and cultural experiences. The Department is comprised of four operating Divisions: Recreation Services; Leadership & Management; Cultural Activities; and Park Services. These four Divisions work to offer the full range of programs, facilities, and parks.

Overview Park Services

Park Services manages over 900 acres of publicly accessible open space (this includes both public and private land that is open for public use) 566 acres of it is publicly owned park land, natural areas, and approximately 30,000 street trees. The City Marina has 60 slips for recreational boating and annual licensing, commercial water taxi and sightseeing contracted services, licensed outdoor dining, and receives approximately 300,000 visitors annually. The Natural Resources section in one of four operational sections of Park Services

Natural Resource Section: Natural Lands Management

The Natural Resource Manager focuses on planning and implementing projects related to the documentation, protection, management, and restoration of natural resource areas within the Natural Resources section. The incumbent supervises contractors, volunteers, and collaborates with City staff to support divisional initiatives and projects. This role requires professional judgment and operates under the general supervision of the Division Chief, Natural Resources. The employee uses CityWorks data management system and Microsoft Office Suite to maintain records, prepare correspondence, and create standard schedules and reports. Performance is reviewed based on the evaluation of achieved results.

The Natural Resources Manager reports to the Division Chief for Natural Resources, handling daily activities in Natural Resource Management within the City. Staff work is guided by a strategic plan, business plan, and annual work plan. Significant time and resources are dedicated to staff training and development. Duties may rotate over time to fully prepare the incumbent for future advancement. The current organizational chart for the Natural Resources section is shown below.

Natural Resource key performance indicators:

• Coordinate the overall management and administration of a designated City-owned natural resources section. Develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive Natural Resource Management Plan to protect and preserve natural resources throughout the City. Additionally, create interpretive plans for programs, special projects, publications, exhibits, and themes, including setting goals and objectives for delivering these programs and services.
• Collaborates with City staff and may supervise contractors and volunteers to carry out the resource management plan, plans and coordinates the work to be done by subordinates, collaborates in developing priorities and developing work schedules for contractors and temporary personnel.
• Assesses natural resources to determine needs and appropriate management practices that provide the optimum degree of use and preservation;
• Develops, recommends, and monitors operating and capital budgets for approval by higher-level departmental officials, improves efficiency of operations, meets annual budget projections, and executes budgets in accordance with authorized provisions;

• Provide quality customer experiences to citizens, staff, and other City collaborators.
• Utilize the CityWorks data management system to update and track Service Requests and Work Orders in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the Natural Resources budget, including creating purchase orders, using financial software and spreadsheets.

• Enhance the resilience of natural resources and urban areas to climate change impacts. Assess climate vulnerabilities, develop and implement adaptation strategies, and promote green infrastructure.

• Investigate and evaluate service requests submitted by residents or City staff regarding City Natural Resource issues and generate Work Orders to address corrective measures as needed.

Natural Resource Manager key work projects FY25:

• Implementation of the Natural Resources Plan (Download PDF reader)
  • Contract Administration: Oversee the development of contracts, monitor contractor work and billing, and maintain communication with contractors.
  • Habitat Restoration: In collaboration with City staff, restore and enhance native habitats within parks, preserves, and other natural areas. Remove invasive species, replant native vegetation, stabilize stream banks, and restore wetlands.
  • Invasive Species Management: Control and manage invasive species to protect native ecosystems and biodiversity. Identify and map invasive species, implement control measures, and monitor and evaluate management efforts.
  • Environmental Education: Participates in the education of the public about natural resource conservation and engage the community in stewardship activities. Develop interpretive programs, create educational materials, organize workshops and events, and lead volunteer programs.
  • Wildlife Management: Protect and manage wildlife populations and their habitats within urban and natural settings. Conduct wildlife surveys, create and manage habitat corridors, implement species-specific conservation plans, and address human-wildlife conflicts.
• Collaborate with RPCA Park Services and City staff to address and resolve Natural Resource issues.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Key Work Aspects of RPCA and the City of Alexandria:

The Natural Resource Manager will have both a division assignment to carry out a functional area of work and a strategic team assignment. As such, you are tasked with creating an environment of success in the department such that staff are highly engaged to focus on results that support organizational attainment of our mission and strategic plan. Our purpose is to build an organizational cultural “that supports each of us and inspires excellence.”

RPCA Strategic Plan – Each senior leader is expected to implement the mission, vision, values, and the four focus areas as determined through business plans and the budget process. It is expected that all decisions will be made considering the values and focus areas.

Statement of Workplace Excellence – Every RPCA staff member has the right to a safe, healthy, efficient, and pleasant working environment where all organization members adhere to the highest standards of behavior, personal integrity, and truthfulness. Each staff member demonstrates full support and acts on deploying workplace excellence.

Shared Leadership Approach - We continually strive to gain the maximum amount of discretionary effort on the part of our staff members. All staff members are collectively responsible for our organizational community and have leadership roles. Everyone is a decision maker within his or her job. We invite participation in solving organizational issues and constantly improving our operations. We share a leader-to-leader model.

Customer Service Guarantee – We are committed to delivering a consistently superior customer experience to all who participate in our programs or visit our parks and facilities. Service will be:

• Responsive – respond in a timely manner to all residents and customers both external and internal. We own the request we receive and do not shift the responsibility.
• Professional – represent the department in appropriate appearance, decorum, and communication.
• Courteous – Treat everyone with respect. Treat everyone fairly. Treat everyone with dignity.
• Accountable – Demonstrate a bias toward action. Ensure follow-up and follow-through with appropriate results.

What You Should Bring

Bring your ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments and projects, working both independently and collaboratively with other City departments, staff, and the public. Your expertise in natural resources, land management techniques, and environmental assessments will be essential. Strong leadership and effective communication skills, both oral and written, are critical. A commitment to public service, providing exceptional customer experiences, and representing the Department and the City of Alexandria positively, while being responsive, professional, courteous, and accountable, will be highly valued in this role.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

A Bachelor's degree and three years' experience in a related field or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Four-year college degree in natural or biological sciences, such as ecology, horticulture, entomology, environmental science, or a related field; at least two years’ experience overseeing natural resources programs or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Notes

This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment.