Description
BIRCHWOOD LAKES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania
Community Manager Search
The Birchwood Lakes Community is a Planned Residential Community located in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Birchwood Lakes was established in the 1960’s as a summer community designed to attract urban dwellers from the Metropolitan New York and New Jersey area to the country. Many of the former summer homes have been converted to year-round homes and a substantial number of families now live at Birchwood Lakes. New houses continue to be built for vacationers and year-round residents.
Birchwood Lakes is very close to the Delaware River and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area where outdoor activities are abundant. The nearby quaint town of Milford provides opportunities to enjoy art, antiques, music and restaurants.
Position History
The current Community Manager, Carrie Ridner, is stepping down after thirteen years of service to the Community in order to take a position closer to family. During her service to the Community, Carrie has created an outstanding culture. The new Community Manager will be an energetic and experienced Management Professional that will have the opportunity to build on the solid foundation developed by Carrie.
Community Association Facts
Ownership: Member Owned and Controlled
Board Size: Nine (9) Volunteer Property Owners
Committees: Ten (10) Advisory Committees
Total Acres: Approximately 1,000
Total Properties: 2,642 Total Properties, 879 Improved with Homes
2026 Operating Budget: $1,615,340 (including a $387,374 contribution to reserves)
Security: 4 Gatehouses, unmanned. Public Safety Patrol, not armed
Team Members: 7 Full Time Team Members; 1 Part Time Team Member; 9 Seasonal Team Members
Direct Reports:
Financial Administrator
Office Administrator
Maintenance Supervisor
Contracted Services: Public Safety Personnel; Landscaping; Aquatic Lake Management; Pool Chemical Management; Goose Management; and Gate and Access Control Maintenance
Website: www.birchwoodlakes.net
Association Facilities at Birchwood Lakes:
Clubhouse
Pool
Four (4) Lakes
Four(4) beaches
Four Gated Entrances with Gate House
Boat Access Ramps
Dog Beach
Tennis/Basketball Court
Sports Field
Playgrounds
The Position:
The Community Manager of the Birchwood Lakes Community is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Association, working with a nine member Board of Directors that sets policy for the Association. You will have a passion for Association Management and have experience with shaping and enhancing community association operations. The ideal candidate will understand and strive for great service and high standards of quality to deliver terrific Property Owner experiences. An eye for detail is critical, as is an eye for the future.
In addition to managing daily operations, the Community Manager will serve in an expanded leadership role focused on strategic planning, capital improvement oversight and long-term infrastructure sustainability. While approximately forty percent of the position involves operational management, the majority of responsibilities extend beyond traditional duties to include advising the Board on best practices, coordinating major capital and infrastructure initiatives, strengthening financial forecasting and leading multi-year planning efforts. The Community Manager is expected to actively guide the Association’s future by identifying emerging needs, recommending strategic improvements and ensuring long-term financial and operational readiness for capital replacements and community enhancements.
A hands-on approach, visibility in the Community, along with building relationships are key attributes for the Community Manager. The Community Manager will often represent the Association in the community and will exhibit the highest level of personal and professional conduct both within and outside the Association.
Capital Planning and Reserve Management Responsibilities:
The Community Manager will oversee long-term capital planning and reserve management, including coordinating reserve studies, anticipating major infrastructure and facility replacements and developing multi-year improvement plans.
Infrastructure and Project Coordination:
The Community Manager will coordinate and oversee major Association infrastructure and capital projects, including Salt Remediation, Highway Occupancy Permits for all four entrances and the East Lake Dam Project.
Strategic Leadership and Future Planning:
The Community Manager will provide strategic leadership by evaluating evolving community needs, recommending operational and amenity improvements, identifying efficiencies, advising the Board on governance best practices and developing multi-year initiatives to support the Association’s long-term success.
Preferred Qualifications for the New Community Manager:
Three plus years of community association management experience
Active Professional Community Association Management (PCAM and/or MCM) credentials.
Experience with community services, staffing, emergency preparedness, insurance, replacement reserve plans, and applicable legal services.
Solid track record with leadership in financial planning, budgeting, cost and efficiency management, resource/vendor management, contract negotiation and reserves management and investment strategies.
Solid background in strategic planning and long range facility planning.
Demonstrated “hands-on” experience in managing community infrastructure and facilities.
Understanding of applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including non-profit requirements.
County, state and/or national government advocacy and awareness helpful.
Experience with contract management.
Demonstrated experience managing complex capital infrastructure projects.
Experience balancing operational management with strategic planning responsibilities.
Key Characteristics Desired for the New Community Manager:
Capable of being a “Thought Partner” with the Board of Directors, positively guiding them in a professional and respectful manner.
Has strong operational knowledge, balances a “hands-on” approach with an appropriate level of delegation and knows how and when to be a coach and mentor.
Strong, energized, respectful, competent, approachable dynamic leader.
Passion for the position with a positive, thoughtful demeanor.
Has an inclusive and participatory style that concludes with clear and concise direction to Team Members and is followed-up by establishing goals/timelines and holding Team Members accountable for performance.
Ensure residents receive consistent, equitable treatment and excellent customer service.
Will effectively represent the Association to public agencies and other external entities.
Is a good listener and facilitator; is diplomatic and has a calming effect on people; can say “no” without offending.
Understands the value of effective communication and has the ability to oversee a proactive approach to communicating with the membership.
Brings a track record of achieving goals and has a “can do” positive attitude.
Has a solid work ethic and high integrity, follows through on commitments, has common sense and does not take things personally.
Responsive rather than reactive.
Initial Priorities for the New Community Manager:
Gain a working knowledge of the Association’s governing documents.
Get a firm grasp on the Association budget, financials and strategic plan.
Get to know Key Association Members and Team Members as quickly as possible, engaging them in a sincere and enthusiastic manner.
Meet individually with each Member of the Board of Directors to determine how the Community Manager can best serve the policy setting arm of the Association.
Meet with Township and County Government Officials to establish channels of communication.
Requirements
Additional Candidate Qualifications and Experience:
The expectation is that the integrity of the Community Manager is foremost and that they will provide innovative, visionary and strategic leadership to the Board of Directors, Committees, Association Members and Team Members. They will be capable of recognizing and proactively anticipating trends and relevant impacts to the Association.
A college degree and certification as a Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) and/or Master Community Manager (MCM) are preferred with three plus years’ experience in association management or an equivalent field (or the willingness to become certified). Competitive Salary Range commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional benefits package is included with the position. The Board will consider entering into a multiple year Employment Agreement with the successful candidate. Prospective Community Manager Candidates should email a resume and a detailed cover letter addressed to the Board of Directors outlining how they align with the above noted qualifications and expectations for the position to the following:
Jeffrey M. Evans
Management Matters, LLC
6302 Route 191, PO Box 529
Mountainhome, PA 18342
KaylaMgmtMatters@yahoo.com (Email)
570.350.3550 (Phone)
Note: This is a compressed search. Deadline to apply is March 24, 2026. A decision is expected by April 10, 2026. Target date for the New Community Manager to be on-site is April 27, 2026 (sooner if possible).
