Vic Garber, City of Charlottesville

Your job title is Parks and Recreation Division Manager. What in your own words would you say you do?

I manage the day-to-day facility operations, programs and special events of the Recreation Division, which works with 21 full-time equivalent employees and over 500 part-time employees serving 250,000 patrons. Operational responsibilities include city-wide athletics and event management, regional therapeutic services, a comprehensive aquatic system, recreational and outdoor educational classes, workshops, fitness and wellness classes, numerous recreation centers and housing centers as well as summer and holiday camps and trips. I am responsible for foreseeing and resolving operational issues and concerns as expressed by internal and external customers; ensuring that work is performed in a timely fashion using best management practices and probably most important that our customers receive a positive experience. Finally, I am intimately involved in developing agency goals and objectives, policy, procedures, partnership and sponsorship agreements, marketing and pricing strategies, budget, facility and park master plans as well as capital improvement projects.

 

What is the best part of your job?  The most difficult part?

The best part is receiving compliments from patrons concerning an employee who went out of their way to help them or a program that was outstanding and actually changed their life.  

 

The most difficult part is learning the names of our many (hundreds) of part-time staff and terminating an employee.

 

How does your job most directly impact the average person?

I believe we offer tremendous value to the community and visitors to our beautiful city by promoting health and wellness, supporting economic development, providing positive recreational and educational experiences and bringing families and neighbors together.

 

What is the most interesting project or work experience that you’ve had while with the City?

I would have to say working as project manager for the new McIntire Skate Park. The passion of the skateboarders and in-line skaters, as well as the community, has been impressive and I have learned a lot about the skateboard design language and what it takes to develop a state-of-the-art facility. 

 

What is a little known fact about you?

I worked in an Ice House bagging cubed ice (5, 10 and 20 pound bags) one summer during college with the average temperature at 17 degrees. The overtime was awesome. I am also an Eagle Scout.