Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Nature & History Jobs

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Virginia Values Veterans (V3) logoFairfax County is a proud Virginia Values Veterans (V3)-certified organization.

The Fairfax County Park Authority serves the community through nature and culture at nine diverse parks. Build your career through education and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources at a nature center, historic site, working historic farm or public garden.

The employment opportunities are as varied as the resources we protect. The roles include visitor services, program leadership, resource management and protection, and building and grounds maintenance. At all levels of the organization from manager to intern, the experience of the visitor is key. Join our teams to share your passion for nature, history, farming or gardening as an employee with the Fairfax County Park Authority.

View our open positions below.

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To apply for open part-time positions, please complete the online application.

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Frying Pan Farm Park

Position Title: Maintenance Worker
Salary: $14-17/hour 
Location: Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon, VA 
Schedule: 20+ hours per week; days vary and include weekdays, weekends and holidays

Description: Frying Pan Farm Park is a diverse 135 acre park and this position will include working indoors and outdoors. Duties include grounds maintenance to include mowing and landscaping, cleaning classrooms, Visitor Center and restrooms, trash removal, unlocking and locking building for user groups, patrolling park grounds, responding to staff and visitor requests, and helping with special events.

Qualifications:  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. Be able to work outdoors in all weather, traverse uneven ground, lift up to 50 pounds and perform general maintenance and custodial work.

Special Requirements: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check. First Aid and CPR/AED certification (offered through Fairfax County) must be completed with 60 days of hire.

To apply: Submit your resume to paul.nicholson@fairfaxcounty.gov  

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background, Child Protective Services Registry, driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

If you have any questions, please email FCPAJOBS@Fairfaxcounty.gov or visit us online.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Position Title: Farmhand 
Location: Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon, VA 
Hours:  3-4 days per week, includes weekends; Shifts vary, but work hours between 7am and 6pm
Salary: $13 to $18 per hour depending on certifications and experience, no benefits 

Overview: Work on one of the last working farms in Fairfax County. Frying Pan Farm Park is seeking an eager, enthusiastic Farmhand to join our team! 

Duties: 

  • Daily chores with livestock include feeding, watering, milking and cleaning stalls.  
  • Help with newborn animals and healthcare.  
  • Crop field operations include hay making, small grains and corn production.  
  • The farm is open to the public and interaction with the visitors is an important aspect of the job.
  • Attend offsite outreach and help with special events on site. 
  • Farm maintenance to include fence repair and mowing as needed.   


Minimum Qualifications: Must have a valid driver’s license, be able to lift up to 50 pounds, and good customer service.  

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with livestock, equipment operation and working with the public.
  • First Aid and CPR certification.
  • Available to work early August

To Apply: Please send your resume to Paul.Nicholson@fairfaxcounty.gov and FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov. Call 7036-437-5318 for more information. 

Necessary Special Requirements: Will be required to pass a background check and driver’s license check.

Note: This position is scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year. This position is not eligible to receive limited benefits. 

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Position Title: Farmhand
Location: Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon, VA 
Hours: 4+ days per week, to include some weekend days 
Salary: Starting at $17.44 
Overview: Come work on one of the last working farms in Fairfax County! The Farm Hand position works closely with the farm manager and other staff to care for farm animals and complete farm chores. 

Duties:

  • Daily chores with livestock include feeding, watering, milking, cleaning stalls, light animal care, and various farm chores. 
  • Crop field operations include hay making, small grains and corn production. 
  • Operating a tractor while doing farm chores and giving site tours to visitors.
  • The farm is open to the public and interaction with the visitors is an important aspect of the job.
  • Attend offsite outreach and help with special events on site. 
  • Farm maintenance includes fence repair and mowing as needed.
  • Supervision of youth volunteers and assisting in other areas of the park as needed.

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Must have a valid driver’s license. 
  • Able to lift 50 pounds.
  • Have experience operating tractors and other equipment.
  • Experience working with/on crop fields.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • First Aid and CPR certification. 
  • Experience working on a farm with livestock, equipment operations, as well as working with the public.

Note: * This position may not exceed 1560 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are eligible for benefits but are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.  

To apply: Please send your resume to Paul.Nicholson@fairfaxcounty.gov and FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov. Call 7036-437-5318 for more information. 

Necessary Special Requirements: Will be required to pass a background check and driver’s license check.

Note: This position is scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year. This position is not eligible to receive limited benefits. 

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Green Spring Gardens

Position Title: Part-time Gardner
Location: Green Spring Garden; 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312
Hours: Year-round, part-time work Monday through Friday with some weekends and holidays re-quired. 
Salary: $17.44-$19.50 per hour, depending on experience and certifications.  

Overview: 
Green Spring Gardens is currently seeking an enthusiastic, self-driven individual to join our team as a Gardener! A Gardener performs all levels of garden and grounds maintenance required to maintain the highest aesthetic standards throughout the property.

Duties: 

  • Weeding and cleaning bedding areas
  • Watering as needed and directed
  • Mulching
  • Planting seasonal flowers and woody plants. Deadheading and cutting back plants as necessary
  • Pruning evergreen and deciduous shrubs and flowering trees
  • Propagation work to include cuttings, sowing seeds, potting up
  • Operating and maintaining equipment and vehicles safely
  • Working under the direction of full-time horticulturists
  • Directing the work of volunteers and summer interns

Minimum Qualifications:

  • College coursework in horticulture, botany, ecology or landscape design or Master Gardener certificate or work experience in public garden setting. 
  • Basic gardening and garden maintenance skills are required but a passion for gardening is equally important. 
  • Must be comfortable working outdoors in all types of weather, with exposure to insects, heat and cold. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. 
  • Familiarity with tools, including pruners, saws, blowers, weeders and edgers. Experience working with volunteers.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Certificate in landscape design or horticulture. 
  • Knowledge of plants of the mid-Atlantic. 
  • Basic gardening and garden maintenance skills are required but a passion for gardening is equally important. 
  • Able to lead groups of volunteers in completing garden tasks. 
  • Looking for a self-starter who can begin assignments without prompting and plan and organize work in the gardens.
  • Computer literacy in Microsoft Word and Outlook. 

To apply: Submit your resume to FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov

Note: This position may not exceed 900 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are not eligible for benefits and are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.   

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background, Child Protective Services Registry, driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

If you have any questions, please email FCPAJOBS@Fairfaxcounty.gov or visit us online.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Position Title: Garden Plot Coordinator
Location: Green Spring Garden; 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
Hours: Year-round, part-time work Monday through Friday with some weekends required. 30 hours per week.
Salary: $17.44 to $22.50/hour depending on experience, benefits eligible*.

Overview: Green Springs Garden is currently seeking an enthusiastic, self-driven individual to join our team as a Garden Plot Coordinator. This position oversees the Garden Plot Rental Program which has 721 garden plots in 11 host parks throughout Fairfax County.

Duties: 

  • Maintain records of Garden Plot Program to include current renters and waitlists 
  • Process annual renewal mailings and fee collection.
  • Perform regular site visits to all garden plot locations for rule violations and mediation of disputes between renters.
  • Provide gardening education via quarterly newsletters, website updates, emails and on-site as needed.
  • Develop administrative reports on garden plot activity and trends including wait list times, plot vacancies, complaints, and problems. 
  • Keep Garden Plot Program webpage up to date.
  • Schedule and coordinate the work of the Garden Plot Assistant and Garden Plot Intern. 
  • Inspect host park areas for maintenance items including water, mulch and mowing. Identify chronic maintenance issues and submit work tickets.
  • Restore abandoned plots including weed and debris removal and minor fence repairs. 
  • All other duties as assigned.
  • Working under the direction of full-time horticulturist and directing the work of staff, volunteers and interns.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or GED.
  • Knowledge of horticulture or agriculture; proficient with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook.
  • Ability to direct and coordinate the work of interns, staff and volunteers.
  • Ability to prepare administrative reports.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 
  • Experience working with volunteers. 
  • Must be comfortable working outdoors in all types of weather, with exposure to insects, heat and cold. 
  • Must be able to lift 40 lbs. 
  • Ability to walk, traverse property sites that have uneven terrain.
  • Familiarity with tools, including pruners, saws, blowers, weeders and edgers.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Any combination of education, training and paid or volunteer experience equivalent to the following: associate degree in Horticulture, Agriculture or related field, OR three years of experience in Horticulture, Agriculture, or related field. 
  • Familiarity with using a tablet in the field and GIS applications. 
  • Experience working with volunteers and evidence of good customer service skills.

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • Current Driver’s license. 
  • First Aid/CPR (will be provided). 
  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.  

Note: This position does not exceed 1560 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are eligible for limited employee benefits, including medical, vision and dental insurance coverage, and participation in flexible spending programs, but are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.

To apply: Submit your resume to FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background, Child Protective Services Registry, driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

If you have any questions, please email FCPAJOBS@Fairfaxcounty.gov or visit us online.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Position Title: Garden Plot Coordinator Assistant
Location: Green Spring Garden; 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
Hours: 15-20 hours/week; not to exceed 900 hours per year; weekend and occasional evening work required.
Salary: $12.41-$20.00 per/hour. Not eligible to earn benefits, paid leave or receive holiday pay.

Overview: Green Springs Garden is currently seeking an enthusiastic, self-driven individual to join our team as an assistant to our Garden Plot Coordinator. 

Duties: 

  • Assist with the administration and upkeep of Fairfax County's Garden Plot Rental Program which includes 721 plots in 11 public parks. 
  • Conducts site inspections of garden plots and follows up with written reports to tenants on noncompliance. 
  • Communicates with plot tenants through email, quarterly newsletter, garden bulletin boards at host parks. 
  • Manages Garden Plot spreadsheets including waitlist, contracts, payments and vacancies. 
  • Enters fees into Point-of-Sale system. 
  • Restores condition of vacant plots using tools to remove debris, overgrown weeds and trees and repair fences. 
  • Assesses needs at host parks for mowing, mulch, repairs and forestry.
  • All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or GED. 
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. 
  • Ability to learn new software applications. 
  • Ability to prepare administrative reports. 
  • Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with county staff and the public. 
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally, in-person and in writing. 
  • Highly organized and able to work independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • An associate degree or higher in an accredited program with demonstrated skills and knowledge of data management, horticulture, public administration, interpersonal and good customer service skills.

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to lift 40 pounds unassisted and work in adverse weather conditions. 
  • Ability to stoop, bend and reach. 
  • Ability to use hand tools.
  • Ability to walk, negotiate or traverse property sites with uneven terrain.

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • Current Driver’s license. 
  • First Aid/CPR (will be provided). 
  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.  

To apply: Submit your resume to FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov

Note: This position may not exceed 900 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are not eligible for benefits and are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.   

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background, Child Protective Services Registry, driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

If you have any questions, please email FCPAJOBS@Fairfaxcounty.gov or visit us online.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Lake Fairfax Park

Position Title: Lake Fairfax Park Instructor
Location: Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA 20190
Hours: Varies by season - Winter: 8-20 hrs/week; Spring/Fall: 8-20 hrs/week; Summer: 20-30 hrs/week
Salary: $25-$33/hour

Overview: Lake Fairfax Park is looking for enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors to lead fun, hands-on out-door programs and activities for participants of all ages! This position is perfect for someone who enjoys being outdoors, teaching others, and helping the community connect with nature.

Instructors support and manage a variety of park programs and events throughout the year. Programs can include but are not limited to Boy Scout Merit Badge programs, kayak classes, nature hikes and tours, and Girl Scout classes.

Duties:
  • Work collaboratively with the Park Programmer to plan, lead, and support classes, camps, and special events.
  • Lead interpretive programs and field trips focused on natural and cultural history, outdoor recreation, kayaking, and environmental education.
  • Develop and implement new program plans and lesson outlines.
  • Engage with the public, answering questions and providing excellent customer service.
  • Assist with park events, including setup, operations, and cleanup.
  • Provide operational support to all programs and camps as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Must pass a driving record check.
  • Must hold a valid driver’s license.
  • CPR/AED and First Aid certification required
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience leading outdoor recreation, education, or interpretive programs.
  • Comfortable teaching groups of various ages in outdoor settings.
  • Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
  • Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and traverse uneven or muddy terrain
  • Must be able to stand, walk, and perform physical tasks in varying weather conditions

To Apply: Please email your resume to FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov 

Note: This position may not exceed 900 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are not eligible for benefits and are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.  

If you have any questions, please email FCPAJOBS@Fairfaxcounty.gov or visit us online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/jobs-internships

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

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