Posted on
January 29, 2024
Company: Fairfax County Park Authority
Type: Full Time
Description:

Sully Historic Site Manager (Historian III)

Salary: $66,103.86 - $110,173.86 Annually
Location: CHANTILLY (CG02), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 24-00284
Department: Park Authority
Opening Date: 01/27/2024
Closing Date: 2/9/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S24
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! Sully Historic Site within the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a Site Manager to lead the interpretation and protection of the historic resources at a site with its origins in the late 1700s. As a site manager, you will 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. You will work closely with colleagues whose expertise spans cultural resources, archaeology, heritage conservation and natural resources.

The future interpretation of Sully Historic Site offers the opportunity to build on more than 30 years of research and interpretation into the lives of the enslaved who once worked on the site. The next manager will be well versed in the history and interpretation of people who were enslaved and the contributions they and their descendants have made in the communities where they lived and worked. It is expected that the incumbent will have experience with the interpretive planning process and engaging the community to achieve this goal.

The Site Manager leads the public engagement through planning annual events, tours and programs and evaluates the effectiveness of these offerings for conveying the mission and purpose of Sully Historic Site. Responsible for the facilities and grounds including an 18th century dwelling house with exhibits, collections objects, five outbuildings, including a representative slave quarter, visitor center and store, classroom, restroom facilities, picnic grounds, kitchen garden and 130 acres of grounds, including archaeological sites. The Site Manager develops and updates a site operations plan for supervising the daily site operations in accordance with those plans. Responsibilities include oversight of maintenance and security of the site structures, grounds, and artifacts exhibited and stored on site, staffing and visitor services for public programming, facility use, and all other activities related to the administration of an historic park site in accordance with the principles of effective cultural and natural resource management. Overseeing all collections management activities, as part of maintaining accreditation with the American Alliance of Museums, is another key responsibility under the Site Manager. Furnishings attributed to Richard Bland Lee and his family and other antiques of the period are part of the collections on display. As needs arise, may be assigned to manage multiple sites related to cultural resource management. As part of the role, the site manager hires, supervises, evaluates, and schedules staff and volunteers. An ability to lead collaborative initiatives with stakeholders, such as the Sully Foundation, FCPA leadership, and elected and appointed officials is expected. 

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.)  

  • Reviews the overall development of educational programs and events and coordinates other visitor services;
  • Develops historic preservation plans and procedures;
  • Develops long- and short-term goals, operating objectives, strategies and implementation plans;
  • Makes recommendations to the division manager regarding long-range plans;
  • Ensures that all facilities meet quality standards for housekeeping, cleanliness and maintenance;
  • Ensures that facilities and grounds are free of safety hazards, that appropriate safety measures are implemented and that all federal, state and county safety standards are applied and satisfied;
  • Ensures compliance with the American Alliance of Museums accreditation standards;
  • Develops and implements security guidelines to protect park facilities and the public against fire, vandalism, and other threats;
  • Recommends, develops and implements plans for improved service delivery;
  • Reviews and makes recommendations on plans for architectural restoration and construction;
  • Contributes to the development of Park Authority and County wide strategic plans related to historic preservation;
  • Completes and evaluates various financial, administrative and statistical reports;
  • Develops and submits an annual operating budget and monitors revenue/expenditure performance levels;
  • Complies with financial guidelines and reconciles revenue and expense reports;
  • Authorizes the procurement of supplies, equipment or services;
  • Prepares and reviews contracts for facility use and contractual services;
  • Plans, schedules, directs and evaluates the work of staff;
  • Provides subordinate staff with specialized training and professional development opportunities;
  • Interacts with citizens and community organizations regarding park use, maintenance and resource protection issues;
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the public, interest groups and County staff.

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 American and regional history;
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of historical park or museum maintenance and management;
  • Knowledge of the principles of historic education and interpretation;
  • Knowledge of curatorial practices and procedures;
  • Knowledge of financial management controls relating to budgeting and accounting of expenditures;
  • Ability to manage a large, complex operation with extensive capital equipment, property value and inventory;
  • Ability to motivate and supervise others;
  • Ability to schedule, coordinate and prioritize the work of a diverse group of employees;
  • Ability to evaluate employees performance against comprehensive performance standards;
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
  • Ability to prepare clear, concise financial and administrative reports;
  • Ability to analyze programs and procedures and evaluate their performance against established objectives;
  • Ability to prepare and adhere to a budget;
  • Ability to maintain effective relationships with employees and the general public;
  • Ability to develop and implement effective management practices;
  • Ability to develop and implement staff training programs.

Employment Standards

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 bachelor’s degree in
American history, American studies, archaeology, museum education, or a closely related
field; plus, three years of progressively responsible experience in museum or historical site interpretation, collections, education and/or research, or a closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with applying the methods, principles, techniques, and practices necessary to document a site with historic resources to include collections objects, historic buildings, and archaeological resources.
  • Demonstrated ability to use effective leadership skills related to interpersonal relations and team building, and to establish positive relationships with managers, peers, subordinates, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and implement master plans, interpretive plans, operations plans, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability to set and maintain multiple program priorities while having the flexibility to adapt to change, collaborate and negotiate with diverse stakeholders.
  • Experience managing sustainable revenue generating programs and facilities.
  • Comprehensive understanding of budget development and management, and experience with budget development and management.
  • National Association for Interpretation certification.
  • Proficiency with Office 365 suite of applications or similar.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.
 
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to climb 3 flights of stairs. Must be able to lift 20 lbs. Must be able to navigate uneven terrain on park property. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
  
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and 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.
 
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Agency
Fairfax County
Address
12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035
Phone
703-324-4900

Submit Resume To:

Fairfax County Park Authority
Chantilly, VIRGINIA