Our 37-miles of award-winning beaches attract over 5 million visitors annually and is a huge economic driver in our community. It is vital that our parks and all of our beaches offer the highest quality amenities, activities and events, and provide outstanding customer service, protection and natural resource management.
Job Description:
Lead the Beaches and Water Access Team to provide excellent visitor services such as reservations, special events, and programs.
Ensure clean, safe and accessible parks and venues by providing park maintenance, janitorial services, arborists, and coordinate responses to seaweed, red tide and fish kills; work with regulatory agencies or programs (e.g., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Sarasota County Environmental Permitting, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, etc.) on beach and natural area activities and improvements to ensure compliance with environmental protection requirements and building codes; consult on concessions and business operations within parks.
Protect listed species such as marine sea turtles, Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise and nesting shorebirds.
Ensure environmental interpretive programming, education programs and other education opportunities for park users and visitors.
Permitting, protection and oversight of the Sarasota County Artificial Reef Program; Intracoastal Waterway aids to navigation (e.g., navigational markers) maintenance; work with other agencies on the Sarasota County Derelict Vessel Removal program.
Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for staff, volunteers, contractors, and other partners that operate in or work to build or maintain county managed parks, beaches, and park amenities and lands.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in recreation, leisure services, education, one of the biological or natural sciences, or related field, and six (6) years of related experience related to the position.
- OR - Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate recreation, leisure services or environmental field with four (4) or more years related experience.
Four or more years of supervisory experience required.
May consider substituting years of experience for the four-year degree.
Preferred Qualifications:
Exceptional writing skills
Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP)
Previous management experience of:
Beaches and water access parks
Natural and cultural resources, park development, and improvement projects
Previous experience in:
Coastal regulations
Public and political issues
Media relations
Internal Number: R12318
About Sarasota County Government
We believe in work life balance and have excellent benefits including a state pension, medical and dental insurance, generous leave plan, training programs, wellness programs including a fitness center. Our mission is to be the most livable and best managed community in the country, providing quality services, programs and facilities that reflect the goals of the community. Our employees are committed to demonstrating our values: Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Quality, Teamwork and Trust. Sarasota has world-famous beaches, over 80 parks and 100 golf courses, and is known as the cultural capital of Florida with museums of art, theaters, an aquarium, botanical gardens and the annual international film festival. Unsurpassed beauty, rich cultural offering, diverse educational opportunities, wide-ranging recreational possibilities make Sarasota a great place to live and work! Sarasota County - One Team!Tobacco/Drug Free Work EnvironmentEOE/AA/ADA
