Neighborhood/Community Services Operations Manager

Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) promotes the well-being of individuals, families and communities by providing a variety of recreation, educational and developmental programs and services; by facilitating community engagement to identify areas of need and enhance countywide capacity for serving those needs; and by connecting residents with a continuum of county- and community-based resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities.

We are seeking a visionary, strategic, and collaborative operations manager to lead the operations of community centers, senior centers, teen centers, and school-age programs within the Culture, Recreation and Community Connections Division in Region 3. Reporting to the assistant division director, this position serves as a key member of the division's leadership structure, providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and leadership for multiple center-based and school-based facilities and programs. Ensures high-quality, community-centered services that are safe, accessible, innovative, and responsive to the evolving needs of residents. This position plays a critical role in advancing the department's mission by building strong internal and external partnerships, engaging stakeholders, and promoting operational excellence across multiple facilities.

The ideal candidate is an experienced and forward-thinking leader with a demonstrated ability to inspire high-performing teams, develop meaningful community partnerships, and successfully manage complex operations across multiple facilities. Embraces a human-centered approach to service delivery, ensuring programs and services are equitable, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of the community. Innovative problem-solver who balance strategic vision with hands-on operational leadership, using data-informed decision-making, community input, and cross-functional partnerships to enhance services, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and maximize community impact. Excels in collaborative environments by building strong relationships, fostering trust, and working effectively across multidisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals. Demonstrates exceptional communication, project management, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, navigate competing priorities, build consensus, and deliver results through teamwork and shared accountability. Committed to advancing Fairfax County's One Fairfax policy and Countywide Strategic Plan by expanding equitable access to high-quality community, teen, senior, and school-age programs that promote lifelong learning, health and well-being, safe and connected communities, and effective public service.

This position requires flexibility to meet operational and community needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, and emergency response situations. A flexible work schedule is expected, and compensatory time may be earned in accordance with county policy.

(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.)
Manages and implements a variety of prevention and evidence-based programs and services for population groupings (youth, teens, adults, seniors, etc.);
Implements annual service plans and leads the evaluation of outcome achievement;
Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates programs;. Implements and modifies program policy as necessary;
Manages staff and resources for operational management;. Recruits, hires, train, and supervise staff assigned to implement defined agency and human services initiatives at a direct service level;
Researches and analyzes best practices for multiple service populations;
Serves as primary contact for direct program and service issues within the region;
Directs development and implementation of policy and procedures relating to childcare facility standards, program registration, fee schedules, billing, training, and/or eligibility;
Oversees registration process, including eligibility and recruitment strategies to ensure full program enrollment;
Directs planning for children with special needs and program requirements.
Directs preparation of the division budget and monitors division expenditures;
Coordinates within the Office for Children, NCS and with other county agencies and service providers to formulate strategies and long-range plans to provide services for children.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all inclusive list.)
Knowledge of the principles and practices of prevention-based and evidence-based programs; principles of community organization, fiscal and budget management, and supervision;
Ability to plan and develop prevention-based programs in community setting;
Ability to manage facility allocations;
Ability to schedule facilities;
Ability to maintain effective relationships with employees and the general public;
Ability to write clear and concise reports;
Ability to conduct needs assessments, policy development, strategic planning and quantitative analysis;
Ability to train and monitor the activities of a large group of childcare professionals;
Extensive knowledge of day care administration and child/family development programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education and 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 social services or human services, or with major course work in a specialty that confers within a community-based service delivery setting (for example, child development and family studies, education, public administration, recreation), or other closely related field; plus four years of professional experience in the social services, human services, or other community-based service delivery service or setting; two years of which included supervising professional staff.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, and a credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Additional Work Schedule Requirements: For special assignments/deadlines, alternate/flex schedule or comp time may be an option.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in public administration, business administration, organizational leadership, social work, human service or closely related.
• Professional certifications related to leadership, project management, parks and recreation, youth development, organizational excellence, or public administration.
• Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in work related to providing strategic leadership to multiple centers and programming for all age populations.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop multidisciplinary teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, develop strategic recommendations, and implement practical solutions that improve services and organizational effectiveness.
• Knowledge of human-centered, equity-focused, and inclusive approaches to program design and service delivery.
• Experience using data, performance measures, and community feedback to evaluate programs, inform decisions, and drive innovation.
• Experience as a manager conducting and/or overseeing management functions such as: recruitment and hiring, training and development, supervision, coaching, and taking disciplinary action.
• Experience leading organizational change, managing competing priorities, and achieving results in a fast-paced, complex environment.

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