Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Become part of a passionate team dedicated to preserving and managing Sarasota County’s natural area parks.

This position oversees the land managers of our well-loved, high visitation sites including Shamrock Park, Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center, Celery Fields, Urfer Family Park, Rothenbach Park, Scherer Thaxton Preserve and more.

In this dynamic role, you’ll oversee the land managers who manage park operations, lead habitat restoration projects, coordinate volunteers, manage events and educational programs, and support nature-based recreation initiatives.

Help preserve our natural areas and provide safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences for our community—apply today!

About the Position

• Supervise, train, evaluate, and manage staff, volunteers, contractors, and associated management processes

• Develop and implement division priorities, policies, procedures, SOPs, manuals, and ensures compliance with County guidelines

• Prepare, monitor, and administer operational and revenue budgets for parks, preserves, and related programs

• Oversee site operations, maintenance standards, safety, and visitor experience, including contractual service scopes and reviews

• Prepare periodic, financial, and special reports; ensures timely data collection and completion of performance evaluations

• Support and lead strategic goals, grant research and applications, contract/agreements development, and compliance

• Develop and support interpretive programming, unit management plans, IPM plans, annual burn plans, and related resource management documents

• Collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and the public to meet management objectives and address citizen concerns

• Implement solutions that balance natural/cultural resource protection with appropriate public use

• Support prescribed fire operations, wildfire response, IPM activities, and procurement of materials, supplies, and equipment

Work Hours: Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent education -AND- Four (4) years of job related experience

• -OR- Associate's degree -AND- Two (2) years of job related experience

• -OR- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in recreation, leisure services, education, one of the biological or natural sciences, or job-related field

• -OR- Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, at the manager's discretion

• -AND- With one year of supervisory experience

• Valid Florida driver's license at the time of hire

• Completion of Basic Wildland Firefighting (S-130/190) within eighteen (18) months from the time of hire

• Completion of Florida Pesticide applicators license within twelve (12) months from the time of hire

The ideal candidate has the following:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration

• Natural Areas Training Academy Certified Natural Areas Manager

• Advanced prescribed fire and nuisance/invasive exotic plant/animal control and mitigation training/certifications

Physical Demands:  Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five years

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $27.49 - $28.50/ hour, based on 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