Four-Year College Degree; 10 years progressive experience as Manager of a Parks & Recreation Department or responsible Senior Manager position with authority over a District; experience administering recreational, cultural, and park management activities including considerable experience at the level of Division Chief; or equivalent experience managing a department/division of a large, complex organization, including responsibility for managing a multi-million dollar budget; completion of college level courses in recreation management, business or public administration, physical education, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities; Certified Leisure and Parks Professional
The Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department (RPCA) supports the well-being of Alexandria’s residents by ensuring access to a variety of quality recreation, park, and cultural experiences. RPCA holds over 1,000 acres of park and open space areas. Operating responsibilities cover public parks, medians, and rights-of-way, outdoor areas at public schools, libraries, and a city marina. The department operates programs at 12 recreation centers and school sites, including three seasonal outdoor pools and two year-round indoor pools. Through the cultural activities division, RPCA is responsible for arts programming, which includes the City’s Mobile Art Lab and arts activities for all ages; public art installations which include over 80 permanent and temporary projects; the City’s Poet Laureate program; City Signature Events like the Alexandria Jazz Fest and the Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration and supporting the operation of the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities includes over 500 seasonal, part time and full team members that support the dynamic day to day operations of RPCA throughout Alexandria. The Director of RPCA reports to a Deputy City Manager, and is responsible for directly supervising three deputy directors, an admin division chief, an HR Manager, and a Marketing Manager.
Key Work Projects
The Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will be responsible for several projects that work to improve the quality of the services and amenities that the City provides to its residents. These projects may vary in scope and size, but have an outsized impact in the lives of everyday Alexandrians. These projects include:
- Replacement of pedestrian crossing at Dora Kelley Nature Park, which will allow safer access to trails and park areas for visitors.
- Opening of Colsanto Spray Park, an addition to the Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain, which provides an area for residents and visitors to cool off during the summer.
- Improvements to John Ewald Park, which will add updated and modern equipment for park visitors to enjoy.
- Addition to Potomac Yard Park with opening of an additional 4.5 acres at North Potomac Yard Park that will add the link to create a continuous off-street trail from Braddock Road to Four Mile Run, making it easier for pedestrians to travel using bike and walking paths.
- Management of a new indoor pool at Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility that will increase capacity for lap swimmers and families to enjoy aquatics during all seasons.
- Establishing and creating a 10 year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and Capital Funding Master Plan (CFMP) which will help the department to plan and budget for long term projects including the replacement of Old Town Pool, Wilkes Street Park, and John Ewald Park.
- Update of the Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery Policy which will allow the department to meet community needs by exploring the priorities of Alexandria residents.
- Update of the Sports Affiliate and Field Use policy, allowing the city to host and partner with outside sports organizations on use of our fields, facilities and providing programming to our customers.