- Description
The Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission, Prince George’s County Department of Parks & Recreation, is responsible for planning, supervising, coordinating, and maintaining all park/recreation facilities and services in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Northern Region Parks Division is responsible for these duties for 344 park properties in the northern half of Prince George’s County and is composed of nine major work programs: Trades, Custodial Services, Program Support, Playgrounds, Trash and Recycling, Trails, Area Maintenance, Athletic Field Maintenance, and Athletic Field Renovation.
The ideal candidate will apply their knowledge of grounds maintenance, park operations, and project management to oversee the effective management and maintenance of park facilities and work programs. This role will ensure the delivery of high-quality park services for the following work programs: Area Maintenance, Trail Maintenance, Athletic Field Maintenance, Athletic Field Renovation, and other critical park functions. At times, this position may be responsible for or provide support to the trades, trash and recycling operations, playground maintenance, and program support work programs. The position will also involve procuring and managing contracts to supplement internal resources, ensuring maintenance standards are consistently met across all areas of responsibility.
The incumbent will supervise staff of park maintenance units comprised of park managers, crew leaders, general park maintenance workers, and part-time staff. This position will work closely and collaboratively with multiple divisions to prepare park properties for permitted activity, special events, and festivals. The position interacts with people inside and outside the organization, including the general public, local community, and specialty groups, to exchange information, respond to maintenance issues, coordinate with and acquire vendor quotes and agreements, gain compliance, or achieve other desired actions.
- Examples of Important Duties
Work Program Management:
- Define goals and objectives for park maintenance programs and park operations within parks.
- Lead long-term planning efforts for park development, improvements, and renovations for recreational facilities.
- Collect and analyze data from work programs and report data findings.
- Review various routine maintenance schedules to ensure goals are met, and priority facilities or programs are properly maintained. Analyze work programs for efficiency and recommend or implement new strategies.
- Inspect work of staff and contractors to ensure standards and compliance are met.
- Ensure various equipment are accurately serviced, maintained, and inventoried
- Monitor recreation facility and park conditions and the need for improvements to include park infrastructure and amenities and address issues as needed.
- Prioritize operational needs and last-minute program needs
- Work with internal staff and facilities, external agencies, residents, patrons, community groups, and partners to address issues and improve park operations.
- Work in collaboration with recreation staff for programming and special event needs
- Establish measurable performance standards, service level benchmarks, and operational metrics aligned with divisional and departmental strategic plans.
- Develop multi-year operational plans that integrate maintenance cycles, capital improvement projects, and resource allocation strategies.
- Coordinate with Planning, Development, and Capital Improvement teams to ensure operational input is incorporated into design and construction phases.
- Utilize EAM or similar systems to track asset lifecycle data, preventive maintenance schedules, and work order trends.
- Prepare operational performance summaries and present findings to senior leadership.
- Implement preventive and predictive maintenance models to reduce downtime and extend asset longevity.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, MOSH, environmental, and safety regulations.
- Develop equipment replacement schedules and capital forecasting plans.
- Conduct site assessments and risk evaluations to identify liability concerns and operational deficiencies.
- Respond to emergency situations, weather-related incidents, and high-priority service disruptions.
- Represent the division in community meetings, public forums, and interagency coordination efforts.
- Coordinate logistical support for large-scale events including staffing, equipment staging, security coordination, and post-event restoration.
Personnel Management:
- Plan, schedule, and delegate assignments to staff. Provide or coordinate internal and external training.
- Conduct one-on-one meetings with direct reports, manager meetings, and staff meetings.
- Initiate and develop recruitment plans and manage the recruiting process.
- Conduct performance evaluations
- Initiate recognition or disciplinary actions
- Approve timecards and leave requests
- Promote a work culture amongst staff that incorporates good communication, understanding, and appreciation
- Oversee multiple supervisors, crew leaders, or specialized units within the park system.
- Develop succession planning strategies and workforce development initiatives.
- Establish clear performance expectations and accountability standards.
- Participate in interview panels and candidate evaluations for supervisory and skilled trade positions.
- Develop corrective action plans when performance standards are not met.
- Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements, personnel regulations, and Commission policies.
- Foster a culture of safety, inclusion, equity, and professional accountability.
- Address workplace conflicts and facilitate resolution in accordance with HR guidelines.
Administrative Duties:
- Record, document, and accurately store various administrative documents, including timecards, asset inventory, purchase orders, evaluations, leave requests, disciplinary actions, and accident or injury reports.
- Procure and manage contracts in accordance with Purchasing Policy. Confirm services rendered. Review and approve invoices.
- Proficiently use various computer software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, EAM, and Kronos.
- Proficiently use electronics, including cell phones, laptops, printers, and scanners.
- Approve payments from vendors and contractors.
- Serves on various Department committees.
- Ensure documentation complies with audit standards and records retention policies.
- Develop scopes of work, technical specifications, and contractor performance standards.
- Generate data-driven reports and dashboards for operational decision-making.
- Serve as liaison between operational units and administrative support services.
- Contribute to policy development, operational guidelines, and cross-divisional initiatives.
Budget Management
- Manage work program budgets, including monitoring expenditures and identifying funding opportunities.
- Responsible for utilizing a purchase card and maintaining an accurate log of all purchases per M-NCPPC policies and procedures.
- Monitor trends and variances in budgeted and actual costs; Identify cost-saving opportunities when appropriate.
- Assist with the preparation of the annual divisional budget.
- Prepares regular and ad hoc reports to immediate supervisor and divisional leadership on work program budget expenditures, planned purchases, and planned projects.
- Procure and manage contracts following purchasing policies. Confirm services rendered. Review and approve invoices.
- Approve payments from vendors and contractors.
- Develop budget projections based on operational trends, staffing models, and capital needs.
- Implement cost control strategies while maintaining service delivery standards.
- Provide detailed justifications for funding requests and capital improvements.
- Ensure fiscal compliance with Commission financial policies, audit standards, and procurement regulations.
Specialized Operations Oversight (Area Maintenance, Trails, Athletic Fields):
- Manage work program budgets, including monitoring expenditures and identifying funding opportunities.
- Responsible for utilizing a purchase card and maintaining an accurate log of all purchases per M-NCPPC policies and procedures.
- Monitor trends and variances in budgeted and actual costs; Identify cost-saving opportunities when appropriate.
- Assist with the preparation of the annual divisional budget.
- Prepares regular and ad hoc reports to the immediate supervisor and divisional leadership on work program budget expenditures, planned purchases, and planned projects.
- Procure and manage contracts following purchasing policies. Confirm services rendered. Review and approve invoices.
- Approve payments from vendors and contractors.
- Develop budget projections based on operational trends, staffing models, and capital needs.
- Implement cost control strategies while maintaining service delivery standards.
- Provide detailed justifications for funding requests and capital improvements.
- Ensure fiscal compliance with Commission financial policies, audit standards, and procurement regulations.
- Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Park Management, Park Administration, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Science, Physical Science or any related field.
- Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience, that includes park operations, program planning and development, supervision of a diverse staff, and responsible professional experience in at least two of the following program areas: interpretation, enterprise, park maintenance, environmental protection/conservation, historical resources, architecture and preservation.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
- Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
- Depending upon area of assignment, a valid Commercial Driver’s License with appropriate endorsements may be required within 12 months of position assignment and must be in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.
- Depending upon area of assignment, must be able to obtain and maintain all applicable certifications within 12 months of position assignment (e.g., Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator, Maryland Department of Agriculture Professional Fertilizer Applicator, Playground Safety Inspector, Park and Recreation Professional).
- Pass Commission medical examination.
- Supplemental Information
Classification/Specification: Principal Park Manager May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis ofrace, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)
M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.