Recreation Manager II- Chinquapin

RECREATION MANAGER II (GRADE 20)

Chinquapin Recreation Center

 

 "Preserving the Past, while Innovating our Future"

The City of Alexandria is in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh-largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. Approximately, one-quarter of square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility Recreation Manager II position.

The City of Alexandria is an independent city with no county affiliation and derives its own 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.   Alexandria is a Council/Manager form of government.

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

1. 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.
2.  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.

 

Overview RPCA supports the well-being of Alexandria's residents by ensuring access to a variety of quality recreation, park, and cultural experiences. There are over 900 acres of publicly accessible open space (this includes both public and private land that is open for public use), 51 program recreation and park facilities, hundreds of classes, an Arts Center, and a City Marina. The Department is comprised of four operating Divisions: Recreation Services; Leadership and Management; Cultural Activities; and Park Services. These four Divisions work to offer the full range of programs, services, facilities, and parks.

 

In pursuit of our RPCA's vision, this Recreation Manager II assists with overall planning, budgetary, supervisory, and programmatic responsibilities of one full-service aquatics and recreation center and three seasonal aquatics facilities. This position is key to implementing the RPCA Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery Policy. This full-service center hosts many "market rate" programs and are expected to achieve cost recovery goals ranging from 125% or more. Considerable independent judgment and initiative is required in developing and maintaining the overall recreational activities including both community and revenue-producing programs. Additional duties will include being part of the facility management team and serving as a manager on duty.  

 

An employee in this position is responsible for ensuring the existence of safe working conditions for seasonal and contractual employees. The Recreation Manager II should also be available to work various hours which include days, evenings, weekends, and some holidays. Enthusiasm, flexibility, and excellent communication skills are needed to be successful in this position. Considerable diplomacy must be exercised in dealing with subordinates and the public. The Recreation Manager II supervises employees, volunteers, and summer youth workers; general supervision of the positions is received from the Regional Program Director and/or Division Chief of Recreation Services.

 

What You Should Bring

Each member of our team is accountable for the outstanding delivery of services to the community.  You will work to meet the recreation needs of our community. The Recreation Manager II must have experience programming for all age groups and abilities; managing contracts; evaluating community needs to grow programs; and demonstrate experience managing a large and diverse staff.  The position assists in the development and implementation of the center’s operating budget and achieving program revenue. Examples of program areas managed by this position include: learn to swim, swim team, aqua aerobics, fitness classes, summer and school break camps.

Full-service and seasonal aquatics and recreation facilities are a Sunday-Saturday operation. Flexibility and the ability to accommodate a varied work schedule is important, which includes working on evenings, weekends, and some holidays, occasionally on short notice in the case of unexpected staff shortages.

 

This position contributes to RPCA’s strategic plan through the following:

1. Grow our operations through preparation and management of the full-service recreation center and aquatics facilities’ annual budget and provides justification for additional resources that support the City's Strategic Plan Goals and RPCA's established Cost Recovery Policy. 
2. Grow our services through leadership, innovation, and growth of fee-based classes, camps, activities, and leagues, ensuring that program objectives are met, and exceptional customer experiences are provided.
3. Grow our services through development and implementation of the annual strategic program plans, with a focus on reducing citywide unmet recreational needs and producing cost-recovery toward a program-specific annual cost recovery goal. Develops measures for each program/activity to evaluate success and adjusts as necessary.
4. Grow our services through outreach at public meetings and maintains working relationships with members of the community, including with interest groups/stakeholders. Coordinates with the Department's Marketing Manager to promote the success of all Center programs/activities; ensures that the implementation of programs/activities are in line with the Department's Strategic Plan. 
5. Grow our facilities, services, and operations through planning, directing, and coordinating of activities and staff for full-service recreation center’s programs; establishes related work schedules, work priorities, operating procedures, and safety standards. 

 

Recreation Manager II is part of the Recreation Services Division Management Team and is involved in recreation management. This includes serving as Manager-On-Duty at the regional facilities, attending division and department meetings, and serving on division, department, and/or city committees and work groups. Some operational work is completed collaboratively with other divisions, such as the Department of General Services, RPCA Human Resources, and the Park Division. This position provides opportunities to attend professional trainings and be involved in professional organizations. 

 

Under the supervision of the Regional Program Director, the Recreation Manager II will oversee the preparation of program section staff descriptions and the related hiring process; approves selection of staff. Primary responsibilities entail monthly monitoring and reporting of revenues and expenditures for the Full-Service Recreation Center against approved budget. The incumbent will provide professional administrative, supervisory, and programmatic duties.  The Recreation Manager II is responsible for onboarding staff, representing the center and department at community meetings, overseeing the budget, leading during emergencies, and developing staff.  Help represent the facility by interacting regularly with patrons to create connections within the community. 

The Recreation Manager II’s key work projects for FY2025-FY2026 include:

1. Increase aquatics programming at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility, Old Town Pool, Warwick Pool, and Memorial Pool.
2. Increase class offerings to reduce service gaps and diversify program offerings.        
3. Increase fee-based class offerings at Chinquapin while working with the Classes and Camps section to obtain a cost recovery goal of 125% to 175%.
4. Administrative duties

 

The Recreation Manager II’s key performance objectives:

1. Review facility trend usage report and determine programming gaps to fill.
2. Add a minimum of 10 programs annually.
3. Achieve cost recovery targets of at least 125% at Chinquapin Recreation Center by expanding revenue base programs and rentals while achieving overall participant satisfaction of 95%.

 

Major areas of responsibility include:  

1. Program Planning, Implementation, and Oversight: (40% of position/14 hours per week)

Develops and reviews program plans, research, and scheduling. Participates in creating policies and standard operating procedures for seasonal staff and contractors. Responsible for camp and class scheduling and coordination. Complete brochure entry & exports accurately and timely.  Responds to the public's inquiries, via phone, and in writing; resolves customer concerns, complaints, and problems. Plans, coordinates, and conducts community outreach and special events, and coordinates volunteers. Provides diverse program services, activities, and events to the greater community. This position has daily interaction with the public, community partners, youth, and parents. Prepare and submits an annual training plan. 

1. Budget Management: (25% of position/10 hours per week)

Develop annual operating budget, revenue projections, and efficiencies to meet cost recovery goals. Administers and monitors established budgets for programs, equipment, and services. Recommends annual operating budget based on objectives and needs. Maintains complete and precise records of expenses. Procurement of goods, services, and resources for facility/program operation.   Administrative duties to include management of petty cash, p-card reconciliation, tracking and reporting of expenses, and analysis of facility spending needs. Create, submit, and monitor purchase orders according to purchasing guidelines.  Approve and submit timely refund requests and follow up as needed.  

1. Employee Supervision and Development: (25% of position/10 hours per week)

Directly supervise and develop a full-time Recreation Coordinator, seasonal Instructors and Contractors.  Recruits, interviews, on boards, and supervises volunteers, instructors, and contractors. Hire qualified full-time or part-time staff through NeoGov to include screening, interviewing, testing candidates, and processing of appropriate hiring forms. Creates training materials needed for onboarding and retaining staff. Conduct annual performance evaluations in Talent Peak, address and document disciplinary issues and facilitate regular staff meetings. Schedule staff for required trainings, rentals, and shifts. Confirm and process staff timesheets for payroll and Kronos approval. Submit RPCA Staff Setup Requests and hiring materials. 

1. Other (10% of position/6 hours per week) 

Other duties to include being accessible for after-hours needs such as staff support, response to facility alarms, emergencies, and inclement weather responsibilities. Responsible for the management of patrons and staff during emergencies. Participates in committees and workgroups. Review opportunities for rental and pass development based on trends and feedback. Track facility usage data for programming opportunities.   Contribute information for the Emergency Action Plans and CIP/CFMP projects. Submit various reports such as the Parks and Recreation Commission Report and incident report forms. Story board maintenance.

Key Work Aspects of RPCA and the City of Alexandria:

Based on your reporting relationship, you are tasked with creating an environment of success in the department such that staff are highly engaged to focus on results “that support the organizational attainment of our mission and strategic plan our purpose is to build an organizational culture that supports each of us and inspires excellence."’

 

RPCA Strategic Plan- Each leader is expected to implement the mission, vision, values, and the three strategic themes (grow our facilities, grow our services, grow our operations) as determined through the department's strategic plan, business plan, and budget process. It is expected that all decisions will be made considering the values and theme areas.    

 

Statement of Workplace Excellence- We believe 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 part of our staff members. All staff members are collectively responsible for our organizational community and have leadership roles. Everyone is a decision-maker in 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/or 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.

Our most valued assets are engaged staff members and customers.

High-Performance Organization- RPCA commits to building and sustaining a high-performance organization. This ensures a clear and consistent strategic direction. We continually focus on improving all aspects of internal and external operations. We also strive through workplace excellence and shared leadership to inspire staff to outstanding outcomes. Every job in the organization has elements of team leadership, management, and task accomplishment. HPO is team-based. 

What You Should Bring

Each member of our team is accountable for the exceptional delivery of services to the community. You will work to meet the recreational needs of our community in a fun, safe, and orderly manner. To best serve in this position, good knowledge of the social and recreational sciences, including the theory, principles, and practices of recreation are needed. Strong planning and organizational skills, windows proficiency, and excellent communication skills will contribute to your success in the position. You must also demonstrate an ability to plan and execute programs and activities and work effectively in a group setting.   Availability to work various hours not limited to Monday-Friday from 9 am-6 pm with some evenings, nights, and weekends required.

You should possess independent judgment and initiative, enthusiasm, flexibility, diplomacy, excellent oral and written communication, and emotional intelligence.  Your mission and values must align with those of the Department (below). You should also be available to work various hours which include days, evenings, weekends, and some holidays.  You will have the ability to be on call and resolve urgent situations over the phone and/or by reporting in person.

Bachelor's Degree and five years of relevant professional experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Ability to acquire appropriate certification in CPR and First Aid within the first three months of employment; employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence and obtain a Municipal Motor Vehicle Operators Permit within three months of employment. Ability to work late evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts. Ability to be on call and resolve urgent situations over the phone and by reporting in person.

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

Salary : $65,853 - $115,885