County Park Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident’s fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county “will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.” The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of-the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.

SalaryRange: $69,388.80/yr - $104,083.00/yr

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to welcome an innovative and dynamic Environmental Education Manager to our Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Division. The Environmental Education Manager is responsible for planning and directing all operational and environmental education program initiatives at 5-7 nature center facilities in support of our mission to protect natural and cultural resources for the benefit of future generations. The incumbent will directly supervise five to seven Nature/Cultural Center Managers, the Sr Aquarist, Master Naturalist Coordinator and Historian. Among other duties, this position is responsible for participating in strategic planning, developing and monitoring annual budgets, employee performance management, working cooperatively with other agencies, divisions and departments, researching and/or modifying existing procedures, facilitating communication between divisions and among staff, cost recovery and revenue projections, and will oversee interpretation in parks and preserves. The selected candidate may be required to work evenings and weekends based upon business needs. They may also be required to respond to emergency situations as they arise.

• 10 years of experience in environmental education and/or natural resource management with at least 5 years of supervisory experience
• Master’s degree in related field
• Certified Interpretive Trainer (or Manager) certification, NC Environmental Educator certificate, Master Naturalist certification, and/or any other related certifications/licenses

• Manage nature centers to include staff, budgeting, purchasing, revenue attainment, human resource management, contract management, networking with neighborhood associations and other community organizations to provide natural resource and environmental education programs
• Administer fiscal management, develop annual budgets, monitor expenses and revenues
• Oversee maintenance management plan for assigned area and evaluate the effectiveness of the maintenance plan to provide clean, safe and attractive facilities
• Assess assigned area conditions and recommends long-range park capital needs
• Determine public community workshop schedules with citizens and implements workshop strategy to achieve community input
• Assess community needs and priorities and develops recommendations and action plans based upon professional standards and judgment
• Network with towns, churches, other government agencies, businesses, CMPD, outside organizations, etc.
• Provide leadership and direction for asset management of facilities
• Monitor and coordinate nature centers opening, closing, customer service, security and safety
• Maintain, monitor and inspect inventories of equipment, supplies, rolling stock, facilities and undeveloped properties
• Facilitate the flow of information across department and division staffs
• Serve as the staff liaison to a district advisory council to include arranging meetings, establishing agendas and submitting minutes
• May need to respond to emergency situations
• Approve contracted services and maintains contract compliance
• Supervise and participate in the planning of long- and short-range goals for the Nature Preserves and Natural Resources division

Experience: Minimum of six (6) years of experience in area of assignment; One (1) year of supervisory experience or completion of an approved supervisory training program

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes

Licenses/Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina’s Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges; First Aid/CPR

Computer Skills: Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Knowledge:

• Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources
• Principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes customer needs assessments, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• The structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, and agency rules, and the political climate
• Expertise in area of assignment

Skills:

• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Talking to others to convey information effectively
• Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions

Abilities:

• Aligning Performance for Success: Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives
• Building Strategic Work Relationships: Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals
• Formal Presentations: Presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience
• Leading through Vision and Values: Keeping the organization’s vision and values at the forefront of associate decision making and action
• Strategic Decision Making: Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to achieving a long-range goal or vision; committing to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values
• Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Coaching: Providing timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem
• Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving forces behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
• Delegating Responsibility: Allocating decision‑making authority and/or task responsibility to appropriate others to maximize the organization’s and individuals’ effectiveness
• Developing Others: Planning and supporting the development of individuals’ skills and abilities so that they can fulfill current or future job/role responsibilities more effectively
• Facilitate Change: Encouraging others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace
• Leadership Disposition: Demonstrating the traits, inclinations, and dispositions that characterize successful leaders; exhibiting behavior styles that meet the demands of the leader role
• Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people
• Planning and Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently
• Safety Awareness: Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards

This position will work primarily in-office, but may require the incumbent to occasionally work outdoors

In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life
• short term disability
• long term disability
• accident
• cancer
• critical illness
• medical bridge
• pet insurance
• dependent care
• healthcare
• commuter flexible spending accounts
• health savings account
• paid holiday
• vacation
• sick days
• near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses
• an employee discount program which provides discounts for retail, dining, shopping, travel, tickets and more
• an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling
• access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities
• paid family leave
• tuition reimbursement
• a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions
• a defined benefit plan for retirement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.