Parks Superintendent

Goochland County is located in the heart of Central Virginia. Just over 289 square miles of rural countryside, our County is home to just over 26,000 residents and is ideally located within a short drive to beaches or mountain tops.  We have great proximity to major cities including Charlottesville and Richmond.  Our quality of life is unsurpassed, and our active community welcomes one and all. A community rich in history, the Goochland County Courthouse is widely considered to be the most well-maintained Jeffersonian courthouse in Virginia.  Goochland County is the smallest county in the United States to have earned the highest rating from all three credit rating agencies which reflects the County’s exceptional financial resilience and is home to an award-winning public-school system.  

Description

The Parks Superintendent is a proactive, working leadership position responsible for the overall physical appearance, functional safety, and operational upkeep of all county parks, athletic complexes, trails, green spaces, and departmental facilities. Reporting directly to the Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, the Superintendent bridges field operations with administrative management.

This is an active, field-engaged position. The Superintendent works directly alongside staff in the field, leads by example, and maintains high standards across all properties. Key responsibilities include planning work schedules in advance, managing preventative maintenance programs, coordinating operational purchasing and budget tracking, overseeing facility inspections, and serving as the primary liaison for work orders submitted to internal county departments. 

Essential Functions

Maintenance Planning & Field Quality Control

• Develop, implement, and manage proactive operational work plans scheduled a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance to guide the daily efforts of the Parks Operations Managers and Parks Services Technicians. 
• Actively work in the field alongside Operations Managers and Parks services Technicians, leading by example in equipment operation, safety standards, and task execution. 
• Conduct continuous site inspections of parks, sports fields, trails, playgrounds, amenities, and structures to evaluate overall condition, visual appeal, cleanliness, and public safety. 
• Check and verify completed work performed by maintenance teams to ensure compliance with county standards and playability specifications.

Preventative Maintenance & Inter-Departmental Coordination

• Establish, schedule, and maintain comprehensive preventative maintenance programs for all departmental vehicles, commercial mowers, machinery, tools, physical park structures, and amenities. 
• Maintain detailed records, operational logs, equipment service histories, warranty information, and facility inspection files. 
• Serve as the primary departmental liaison to internal county departments (e.g., General Services),submitting, tracking, and verifying work orders for major structural, electrical, plumbing, or system repairs outside the department's scope. 

Financial & Budget Oversight

• Work in close coordination with the Deputy Director to assist in preparing the annual park maintenance budget, tracking routine expenditures, and monitoring resource allocations. 
• Coordinate operational purchasing, process invoices, track procurement orders, and ensure strict adherence to county financial and purchasing policies. 

Staff Leadership, Training & Public Relations

• Directly supervise, direct, and evaluate Parks Operations Managers; oversee the hiring, onboarding, and scheduling of Parks Services Technicians. 
• Develop and oversee staff training programs covering equipment safety, operational procedures, OSHA regulations, and trade skills. 
• Assist in responding to public inquiries, citizen concerns, and community feedback regarding park conditions or grounds maintenance. 
• Attend county meetings, committee sessions, or public events as requested by departmental leadership. 

Operational Standards, Emergency Response & Departmental Support

• Embody the department’s core value of operational excellence by taking pride in the details, delivering exceptional customer service, treating residents and visitors like family, maintaining clean and welcoming spaces (including routine trash pickup and proactive facility care), following up promptly on communications, and ensuring tools and equipment are properly maintained. 
• Actively support departmental flagship events, co-sponsored community events, and joint initiatives with other county departments as assigned, assisting with setup, operational support, customer service, or breakdown.
• Participate in county-wide and departmental emergencies, disaster, and severe weather response operations at the level of training received. Duties may include assisting with emergency shelter operations, debris clearing, snow/ice operations, and public safety support during emergency declarations.

Emergency Management Leadership

• Serve in a leadership or coordination capacity during county emergency operations and severe weather events, directing departmental resources, coordinating shelter facility readiness with internal county departments, and ensuring staff are deployed safely and effectively.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of landscaping operations, turf care, facility maintenance, preventative maintenance planning, and budgeting principles. 
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work weeks in advance, manage multiple ongoing projects, and maintain accurate records. 
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills with a commitment to working alongside staff in all weather conditions. 
• Proficiency with standard office software (Microsoft Office), work order tracking systems, and basic procurement/financial processes.

Education, Experience and Training

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Progressively responsible experience in park maintenance, groundskeeping, public works, facility, or convenience center operations, including management or supervisory capacity overseeing staff, budgets, and operational schedules preferred. 
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.
• Valid State of Virginia Driver’s License with a driving record that meets HR Policy requirements.
• Commercial Driver’s License preferred, or the willingness and ability to obtain within a specified timeframe. 
• First Aid / CPR / AED: American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Certification preferred (or ability to obtain within the probationary period).
• Possession of or willingness to obtain relevant professional certifications (e.g., Certified Playground Safety Inspector-CPSI, Certified Fertilizer/Pesticide Applicator License). 

Additional Information

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted directly through the Goochland County website. Applications submitted through third-party job boards will not be reviewed. To apply, please visit: www.governmentjobs.com

As part of employment with Goochland County, all employees are required to complete Emergency preparedness and incident management training courses as directed or requested.

Goochland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, family medical history or genetic information, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local laws.