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 Charles Houston Regional Program Director 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 Regional Program Director 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.

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 Regional Program Director is responsible for leadership of the Charles Houston Recreation Center. The Regional Program Director collaboratively manages the operations by leading a team of over 25 employees consisting of one Recreation Manager, one Recreation Coordinator, one Recreation Leader, a 32- hour Teen Coordinator, seasonal programming staff, and part-time staff. To achieve strategic objectives, the Regional Program Director establishes and manages the operating budget totaling $1 million in personnel and non-personnel.

Major areas of responsibility include:

• Grow our operations through the leadership of a regional management team, including strategic planning, training, engagement, and coaching.
• Grow our services through leadership and innovation of fee-based classes and camps, community programs and events, leagues, self-led admissions and passes, facility rentals, partnerships, contracts, and MOUs, ensuring that program objectives are met, and exceptional customer experiences are provided.
• Grow our services through leadership and innovation of fee-based classes and camps, community programs and events, leagues, self-led admissions and passes, facility rentals, partnerships, contracts, and MOUs, ensuring that program objectives are met, and exceptional customer experiences are provided.
• Grow our facilities, services, and operations through projections, management, and efficiencies of operating and capital improvement budgets and revenues.

The Regional Program Director 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 Division Chief, the Charles Houston Regional Program Director will oversee the operations and management of the thriving Charles Houston Recreation Center. Primary responsibilities entail overseeing the facility operations providing strategic leadership and fostering community engagement. The incumbent will provide professional administrative, supervisory, and programmatic duties. The Regional Program Director 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. Assist with increasing public awareness of recreational programs and opportunities through neighborhood canvassing and events through effective leadership, human resources and budget management, and exceptional customer service.

The Regional Program Director’s key work projects for FY23- FY24 include:

• Expand partnerships to increase service delivery and provide youth with mental health and educational programming to develop life and coping skills.
• Fill staff vacancies and strategically onboard and build the team to effectively serve the Charles Houston community and its needs.
• Expand youth service delivery efforts through intentional programming and collaboration for the youth and teens.
• Increase fee-based class offerings at Houston while working with the Classes and Camps section to obtain a cost recovery goal of 40%.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Charles Houston’s existing partners such as the Alexandria Boxing Club, Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority (ARHA), Peer Advisor Program through DCHS, and the Senior Center.
• Restructure party packages to ensure revenue generation.

Regional Program Director’s key performance objectives:

• Obtain a 75% enrollment for the Out of School Time Program with monthly communication and activities for program participants.
• Add a minimum of three annual community outreach events outside of the Recreation Center to share program offerings and government resources.
• Achieve cost recovery targets of 40% at Charles Houston Recreation Center by expanding revenue base programs and rentals while achieving overall participant satisfaction of 95%.
• Revitalize the teen center program with daily activities, monthly off-site field trips, and quarterly special events.
• Implement and market little gymmies passes to users and increase amenities.

Major areas of responsibility include:

• Administrative and Operational Duties: (25% of position/10 hours per week)

Develops and reviews operating strategies, plans, and procedures. Participates in creating policies and standard operating procedures for the daily operations of the Center Develop and oversee the center's daily operations. Responsible for the coordination of opening and closing facility. Ensures that safety standards and precautions are followed in recreation and facility management activities. Responds to the public's inquiries, via phone, and in writing; resolves customer concerns, complaints, and problems.

• Budget Management: (10% of position/6 hours per week)

Develop annual center personnel budget, non-personnel budget, revenue projections, efficiencies to meet cost recovery goals, and ensure funds are available to operate and program the facility. 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.

• Community Engagement and Outreach: (15% of position/4 hours per week)

Act as first-line representatives of the department through engagement at city-wide meetings. Keep the community informed about the activities and impact the center is making. Regularly report on recreation center activities to departmental staff, advisory councils, and supervisors. Manage relationships between community organizations, interdepartmental agencies, community stakeholders, staff, and facility users. Establishes and maintains relationships with other agencies and organizations in the community to ensure community satisfaction and to ensure that programs and services are not duplicated. Increase public awareness of recreational programs and opportunities through neighborhood canvassing and events. Frequently interact with patrons to create connections within the community.

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

Directly supervise and develop a full-time Recreation Manager, Recreation Coordinator, and Recreation Leader. In addition to leading over 20 seasonal shift leaders through coaching, mentorship, and strength-based delegation to achieve team goals effectively and efficiently. Recruits, interviews, on boards, and supervises volunteers. 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, address and document disciplinary issues and conduct regular staff meetings. Schedule staff for required trainings, rentals, and shifts. Confirm and process staff timesheets for payroll. Orient staff to the neighborhood context and history to ensure their positive and respectful involvement.

• Program Planning, Implementation, and Oversight: (15% of position/4 hours per week)

Plans, coordinates, and conducts community outreach and special events, and coordinates volunteers. Provides diverse program services, activities, and events to the greater community. Creates partnerships and collaborations with local service providers to bring resources to youth/families in the community. Creates community outreach efforts and marketing to promote the programs available and sustain participant registration and expansion. This position has daily interaction with the public, community partners, parents, and inner-city children/youth.

• 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. Management of patrons and staff during emergencies.

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.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

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.

Preferred Qualifications

More than seven years of progressively responsible recreation, programming, and operations experience, including hands-on experience producing programs and supervising frontline and supervisory employees. Experience in community engagement and relationship building. Experience managing an operating budget. Excellent knowledge of computer software including Microsoft Office suite, Rectrac, and other collection and software tracking software. CPRP certified.

Notes

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