Park Manager
Foundation Park Conservancy/Ariel-Foundation Park
Full-Time
About Us
The Foundation Park Conservancy was created in 2009 when an initial 85-acre park encompassing two lakes and river frontage acquired by the City of Mount Vernon in 2000 was expanded to 125 acres with the assistance of a 2006 Clean Ohio Grant.
The fortuitous location of Foundation Park, adjacent to the Ohio to Erie Trail system, the scenic Kokosing River, and historic Downtown Mount Vernon, encouraged the conservancy board to set the bar high for this unique recreational and economic development opportunity.
As the conservancy’s involvement in Foundation Park grew, so did Foundation Park itself. Major funding commitments not only advanced the Conservancy’s planning mission, but also enabled the 2013 purchase of the 75-acre former Pittsburgh Plate Glassworks site. This acquisition, prompting the renaming of the entire area as “Ariel-Foundation Park” in honor of its two major benefactors, set the stage for creating a world-class recreational area.
A vision and plan were set in motion for the completion of the park in time for a July 4, 2015, community-wide celebration. On that historic date, the expanded and enhanced park was presented to the City of Mount Vernon.
Since then, Foundation Park Conservancy has led an ambitious program of physical enhancements to the park, as well as a variety of innovative programs and strategic partnerships. Thousands of guests visit the park each year, some on a daily basis, to enjoy its three lakes, beautiful woods, walking trails, and historic industrial “ruins.” Without a doubt, the spiraling Rastin Tower and Observation Deck has established itself as the park’s most iconic landmark.
Under a lease agreement with the City of Mount Vernon, the Foundation Park Conservancy continues to care for and maintain the entire 250-acre park, as well as provide leadership and oversight for events, reservations, and fundraising. A small, dedicated staff provides day-to-day support for grounds and building maintenance, event operations, reservations, and other programming.
While much has been accomplished in a relatively brief span of time, the Foundation Park Conservancy remains focused on making Ariel-Foundation Park both an everyday recreational resource for the 60,000+ residents of Mount Vernon and Knox County and a destination for “seekers of the unique” from throughout Ohio and the Midwest.
Park Manager
A full-time, exempt, year-round position which supports Foundation Park Conservancy’s (FPC) mission and goals, working to carry out the agreement between the City of Mount Vernon and FPC, and to enact all policy direction provided by the FPC Board to attain such goals for Ariel-Foundation Park (AFP).
Position reports to Foundation Park Conservancy Board of Directors.
Position Goal:
Maximize visitor satisfaction through efficient and high-quality management of maintenance operations, park facilities and infrastructure, natural resource conservation areas, associated grounds care, and partnerships to best utilize this important community asset.
Position Functions and Associated Responsibilities:
Facilities, Equipment, and Park Resource Management: (50%)
· Responsible for cleanliness and condition of buildings and infrastructure, natural resources including grounds, and equipment.
· Maintain a grounds care and asset management schedule and communicate progress, status, and problems to the FPC Board.
· Schedule, supervise, and when necessary, provide direct labor for maintenance operations for mowing and trimming of turf areas; care of park assets (benches, picnic tables, shelter houses, etc.); and litter/garbage removal and other custodial needs.
· Operate equipment to conduct work on park and FPC-owned properties and demonstrate proper use and maintenance to staff.
· Monitor boundaries and thoroughfares for safety concerns and encroachment, as well as natural areas for wildlife habitat implications.
· Oversee pesticide application management program.
· Oversee contractual compliance with vendors and service providers.
· Ensure public and employee safety, working with law enforcement, City representatives, and staff through risk assessment, training, emergency action planning, safety procedure development, and confirmation of regulatory compliance.
Administration and Fiscal Management: (40%)
· Plan and manage all operations of Ariel-Foundation Park, working closely with the City of Mount Vernon’s Parks Department in accordance with the functioning agreement between the City and Foundation Park Conservancy.
· Establish goals and priorities working with the FPC Board on park development and strategic planning.
· Recommend policies, plans, and programs necessary to fulfill the mission of Foundation Park Conservancy.
· Develop, coordinate, and monitor budgetary and fiscal operations of organization.
· Responsible for recruitment, utilization, development, and evaluation of staff and all related human resource functions including maintaining personnel records.
· Facilitate donor development efforts and associated tracking, recognition, and project-based deliverables, as applicable.
Customer Relations Management: (10%)
· Build and foster relationships within the community, professional organizations, and with other entities.
· Review customer satisfaction evaluations and follow up as appropriate; share customer feedback with staff and recommend changes to procedures and operations to improve customer service.
· Work with volunteers and representatives of nonprofit partners to further mutual goals.
· Plan and coordinate, and when necessary, perform natural resource conservation and land stewardship practices, incorporating partners when possible.
· Promote greater understanding and support of AFP and its activities by participating and representing FPC at various government, civic, and community functions.
· Act as the park representative providing information to the news media and supply appropriate information to the public concerning park policies or statements regarding a park-related situation or occurrence.
· Conduct tours and host special park engagement opportunities, providing information relevant to audience interests, including informational tours developed for potential facility rentals.
· Serve as the main point of contact for park facilities and event related needs for the City of Mount Vernon’s Independence Day celebration and oversee all park-related aspects of the July 4th event.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Thorough knowledge of best management practices, procedures, and techniques in park and recreation operations, natural resource management, fiscal administration, and public relations.
· Ability to understand and interpret statistical data and develop and implement both short-term and long-term strategic plans.
· Demonstrates professionalism and maturity in all encounters. Must be patient and pleasant with an ability to establish and sustain critical relationships.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills, and strong overall organizational skills.
· Ability to effectively engage employees through performance management, leadership, recognition, and employee development strategies.
· Ability to inspire and be persuasive in the promotion of new ideas, concepts, and action plans to influence positive outcomes as a proven problem solver.
· Excels in all aspects of customer service.
· Ability to exemplify the highest ethical standards in professional and personal conduct.
· Ability to effectively manage time while working independently and multitasking.
· Possesses moderate office skills (e.g., typing, file management) and basic knowledge of accounting and financial principles with moderate comprehension of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
· Exhibits a high level of integrity, honesty, responsibility, transparency, and trustworthiness, establishing credibility, respect, and support from Ariel-Foundation Park stakeholders and staff.
· Must have an associate degree or better, or significant experience in park management or a related field. Preference given to degrees related to park or natural resources.
· Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and proof of insurance.
· Must be able to successfully complete a BCI background check and drug test.
Work Environment & Schedule:
This full-time position offers a flexible schedule which may include work on evenings, holidays and weekends and on-call maintenance during emergencies. Position requires the ability to work in all outside weather conditions; wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold (below freezing) and extreme heat (above 90 F degrees). Work involves being around various outdoor contaminants and airborne and plant allergens. Some work requirements will involve exposure to and work in inclement weather conditions.
Physical Demands:
General good health and the ability to perform the essential functions of this job is required. While performing duties on this job, this position requires the ability to sit, stand, and walk; use of hands to finger, handle, and feel; reaching with arms and hands; climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching; and the ability to talk and hear. The employee must be able to traverse improved and unimproved surfaces both indoors and outdoors. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The physical ability to perform labor and the tasks noted above is required of this position as well as possession of the ability to effectively, efficiently, and safely complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
The position functions and responsibilities are illustrative only and do not represent all duties or tasks to be assigned or performed by an employee with this position title.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to fpcadmin@afpark.us, or mail to:
Foundation Park Conservancy
PO Box 644
Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Mount Vernon, OH 43050: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Experience:
- Supervising experience: 1 year (Preferred)
- Management: 1 year (Preferred)
- Park or natural resource related: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
