Department:
Parks Recreation & Natural Resources
Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.
Sarasota County is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to oversee the operations of our county-managed parks, beaches, and water access areas. This role is responsible for supervising staff, ensuring high-quality customer service, maintaining park facilities, and protecting natural and cultural resources. This position also represents the division at public meetings, advisory boards, and community events. A strong background in parks management, environmental stewardship, and public engagement is essential. Apply today to make a difference in the community!
About the Position
In this role, you will...
Supervise staff to ensure excellent customer service for park reservations, events, programming, and daily operations.
Collaborate with park staff to maintain clean parks, including janitorial services and cleanup of seaweed, red tide, and fish kills.
Coordinate with regulatory agencies (e.g., FDEP, FWC, Sarasota County) on permitting, environmental compliance, and natural area activities.
Oversee and maintain public access to parks and recreational amenities.
Protect natural and cultural resources, including listed species; coordinate with public safety and Risk Management to ensure staff and visitor safety.
Manage water access points (e.g., kayak launches, boat ramps) and trails; provide interpretive and environmental education programs for the public.
Develop and implement goals, policies, and procedures for staff, volunteers, vendors, and contractors; oversee park services and recreation programs.
Assist with budget tracking, purchasing, project management, and financial planning; review audits and implement necessary controls.
Handle public complaints, resolve issues, and respond to inquiries about services and facilities.
Coordinate with public agencies and partners on infrastructure, education, and government use of park lands.
Respond to media and public information requests; represent the division at public boards, committees, and community meetings.
Direct and supervise park operations and repairs within the Beaches and Water Access Division.
Support park planning and provide input on capital improvement projects and facility designs.
Manage proactive assessments of fraud awareness, prevention, detection, and risk mitigation activities in the area of responsibility; oversee financial, compliance, operational, and performanceaudits; review audit findings and ensure appropriate controls are established and implemented.
About the Schedule
Work Hours:
Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.
About You
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor'sDegreeinrecreation,leisureservices,education,oneofthebiological or natural sciences, or a related field AND Four (4) years of professional experience.
-OR- An Associate Degree from an accredited college or university AND six (6) years of job-related experience.
-OR- A Master's Degree inrecreation,leisureservices,or an environmental fieldcansubstituteforone year of professional experience.
-OR- Year-for-year experience may substitute for the college degree.
About Everything Else
Starting Pay Range: $75,233.60 - $83,000, based on your experience.
Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).
If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:
1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
- If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)
2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)
Benefits:
- Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
- For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
- Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.
- Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)
A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.
We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.
Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.
A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.
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