Extra! Extra! Read all about it! This week NRPA was named to The Washington Post Top Workplaces 2015. Being awarded the title of Top Workplace means even more to us because it is based solely on employee surveys. The list is determined by results from confidential surveys asking staff members 22 questions related to pay, benefits, work/life balance, how they view their role and satisfaction with the organization.

We were also named a top workplace in 2014, which was the inaugural survey for the Washington Post. In 2014 a total of 56,641 employees from 244 companies were surveyed and we received enough of the highest ratings from our employees to crack the top 150 organizations in the Washington, D.C. region.

So what makes us a top workplace? We scored 20 percent higher than the other nonprofits across the country that took this survey. We also scored 26 percent higher on engagement (i.e. motivation to perform well, recommending NRPA to others, staying at NRPA longer than a year) than other nonprofits across the country. Here are some of the comments that our colleagues had to say in their own words about why they like working at NRPA:

“The opportunity to bring about positive change within a variety of communities.”

“The mission is something I strongly believe in and am very happy to support.”

Additionally our location on a regional park lends itself to not having to be inside all the time. We have walking trails, a volleyball net on the premises, half-days and cookouts every other Friday during the summer, pets in the office, six weeks of vacation, one week of paid family leave, tuition reimbursement, casual business attire and teleworking. 

These benefits along with our passion for parks and recreation help to recruit and retain a certain level of staff to best serve our members. When staff are invested, they want to contribute by supporting our members with tools and opportunities they need to be successful.

Check out the official listing of Top Workplaces 2015.

What do you love most about working at your job? Comment below or tweet us @NRPA_news.

Martin Dease is NRPA's Human Resource Manager.