Recreation Manager I

Recreation Manager I / GS 19

Charles Houston Recreation Center

Join our Great City

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.

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

A Message from the Director

Welcome to the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. I am excited that you are considering joining our team. Every day, we have the privilege of serving a city that values connection, creativity, and community. Our parks, programs, and cultural spaces reflect Alexandria’s diversity and spirit, and our people are the heart of it all.

As you explore opportunities within RPCA, know that you are stepping into a department where teamwork, curiosity, and service guide everything we do. We take pride in our work, we find purpose in our impact, and we celebrate the difference each team member makes. Together, we are building something meaningful for the people of Alexandria, and I am grateful for your interest in being part of it.

Hashim T. Taylor, Director, Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

About You

You are service-minded, dependable, and take pride in your work. You bring energy, professionalism, and a sense of purpose to every task, whether maintaining a park, supporting a program, or greeting visitors.

By joining RPCA, you become part of a team that takes pride in serving Alexandria and shaping experiences that last a lifetime.

As part of RPCA, you will be expected to:

• Serve with purpose and approach each day with enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence
• Embody accountability and curiosity by taking initiative, asking questions, and seeking solutions
• Demonstrate teamwork and respect, supporting colleagues and fostering a positive, inclusive environment
• Stay responsive and reliable by being attentive, dependable, and engaged with the community
• Reflect our values through transparency, professionalism, and wholehearted dedication to service

The mission of the department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is to create meaningful experiences that inspire community, foster creativity, and enhance the quality of life for everyone in Alexandria. The Department envisions Alexandria as a vibrant, connected, and thriving community where every resident feels a sense of belonging. Through safe, inclusive, and innovative programs and spaces, we strengthen well-being, celebrate diversity, and create opportunities for joy and discovery. Guided by equity and excellence, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in our city. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to meet 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations.

Recreation Manger I – Recreation Services Division

A Recreation Manager I is found participating in the operation of a large, diversified center. The basic distinction between this class and that of Recreation Coordinator is the overall planning, budgetary, supervisory, and business management responsibilities of the facility or area of responsibility in which it is assigned. Considerable independent judgment and initiative are required in developing and maintaining the overall recreational activities including revenue producing programs. Incumbents in this class supervise between two and ten full-time equivalents. An employee in this class is responsible for ensuring the existence of safe working conditions for all buildings, equipment, and both indoor and outdoor facilities. Considerable diplomacy must be exercised in dealing with subordinates and the public.

Under the supervision of the Regional Program Director, this position will assist with the management of the Charles Houston Recreation Center operations and its programs. Primary responsibilities entail planning, facilitating, and supervising the staff and programming within the center. The incumbent will provide professional administrative, supervisory, and fiscal duties/tasks. The Recreation Manger I is responsible for increasing the quality of the program and maintaining participation through engaging activities and services. This position also includes recruiting, scheduling, and supervising full-time and part-time. Through effective leadership, human resources, budget management, and exceptional customer service the Recreation Manager I will perform related work as required. The successful candidate will be passionate about working in the community and possess effective communication and excellent customer service skills.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Supervises, work schedules and training of recreation center staff;
• Make daily inspections of recreation facility, fields, and playground to ensure their proper use, care, and safety;
• Coordinates the revenue flow of the facility or activity by maintaining accurate and approved financial records including cash deposits;
• Trains staff in the use of Rec Trac, repairs inaccurate or incorrect entries, creates reports, trouble shoot staff errors and mistakes;
• Develops, plans, implements and manages programs;
• Manages daily program operations and special events;
• Develop community partnerships;
• Research the community's demographics and specific needs by utilizing the division needs assessment;
• Deliver presentations to neighborhood civic associations, business and other city agencies to inform the general community about program and services offered at the center;
• Regularly engages in outreach efforts to heighten the awareness of the center: City's health fair, city wide events, city sponsored committees and local business;
• Creates and distributes standard surveys to analyze the effectiveness of programs;
• Recruits Advisory Council members for the interest of the community and the recreation center;
• Develop standards and benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of each program;
• Develop resources and contracts with vendors for program development and implementation;
• Serves as a member of the centers management team, conducts research and writes reports regarding new and existing programs;
• Plans, organizes, and evaluates community, special and or seasonal events. Acts as representative of the recreation Department at committee meetings;
• Coordinates activities and projects with other departments within the City;
• Observes class programs in progress and inspects equipment for compliance with program and safety standards;
• Responds to citizen suggestions and inquiries for program and facility improvement;
• Manages, promotes, reports and evaluates the City's employee usage of the City's Recreation Center;
• Compiles and submits monthly data on attendance related to programs to Division Chief via Rec Trac;
• Coordinates and recruits’ volunteers to market programs and services;
• Writes media advisories and prepares reports, such as Park and Recreation Commissioners’ monthly report, weekly Insider, docket items for Council, and proclamations;
• Advises on the creation of revenue generating classes for the Department;
• Collaborate with Cultural Activities to create arts programs within the recreation center;
• Coordinates and interacts with other City agencies on issues affecting/impacting the department's capital projects, park management, and operations;
• Provides Capital Project information and recommendation to internal and external department staff, as well as contractors, to ensure project meets or exceeds RPCA Department objective, intent, expectation, and best management practices and is within the purview of all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Key Work Aspects of RPCA and the City of Alexandria:

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.

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 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.

What You Should Bring

Each member of the team is accountable for the outstanding delivery of services to the community. The ideal candidate should possess knowledge of programming and special event planning; knowledge of child development; ability to plan and direct program activities; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, stakeholders, and the public; ability to generate interest and participation in center activities with various age groups; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. The ability to work independently and use judgment within established procedures; experience preparing reports; ability to organize, ability to work with a variety of staff at all levels and to handle assignments across sections of the Recreation Services Division will ensure success in this role.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of professional recreation work; good knowledge of budget planning and practices; good knowledge of business management practices; good knowledge of the care and maintenance of recreation and school buildings, playing fields, swimming pool operation, lighting, etc.; good knowledge of the many phases of community recreation; ability to schedule and coordinate programs on a city-wide basis; ability to provide working leadership to full-time and part-time staff and to volunteers; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, parents, activity participants, and the public; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Four-Year College Degree with completion of college-level courses in recreation, physical education, or fine arts; three years of progressively-responsible experience in community recreation work including some experience at the level of Recreation Coordinator; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.


More than three years of experience in professional recreation work; demonstrated knowledge of and experience with budget planning and practices; as well as business management practices. Experience in scheduling and coordinating programs on a city-wide basis; ability to provide working leadership to full-time and part-time staff and to volunteers.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment.