Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

As the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director, you will oversee 155+ parks, 55,000 acres of land, management of significant economic driving facilities, planning of new parks and initiatives, administering a multi-million-dollar budget, strategic planning, increasing revenue streams, developing innovative ideas for cost savings and efficiencies and building partnerships.

You'll be responsible for the development, organization, staffing, coordinating, directing and controlling of all policies, procedures, functions and operations of the Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources system (PRNR). Develop high performing employees, seek opportunities for collaborations, and study the needs of the community. Leverage Parks and Recreation services with Natural Resource management to achieve community health, economic and environmental sustainability.

Lead of a team of 260+ full-time employees, including 4 direct reports.
Develops positive relations and partnerships with the community; coordinates responses to citizen concerns and complaints; resolves issues; develops public understanding and participation in PRNR programs through public- relations activities; ensures the coordination of marketing efforts and develops cooperative planning and working relationships within County government, local agencies and organizations interested in local PRNR issues.
Develops and implements PRNR’s mission and vision, long-range operation plans and goals, assigns and adjusts priorities to meet shifting long-range plans and emergencies; oversees planning and research activities for Park development programs that will meet the needs of the community; oversees the development of major capital plans, improvements and acquisition of lands.
Strategically plans, presents and administers annual budget; monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal
responsibility: ensures research is conducted to confirm the feasibility and costs of alternative methods of providing services to the public and recommend improvements.
Ensures supervision of staff in the performance of their duties including assigning and prioritizing duties; reviewing and approving work; providing input regarding performance, reward, recognition, and discipline issues; develops a high-performing team.
Develops and implements operating policies, procedures, and practices for PRNR; monitors operations to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, rules, and policy.
Collaborates with service providers, maintains effective working relationships and serves as a source of PRNR information to County Administration, the leadership team, the public, PRNR advisory boards (ESLOC and PARC), Friends of Sarasota County Parks, Friends of the Legacy Trail, Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy (NBPC), Sarasota Sharks, the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and other partners.
Oversees Visit Sarasota County and Arts Cultural Alliance Grant Program contacts.
Manages proactive assessments of fraud awareness, prevention, detection and risk mitigation activities in area of responsibility; oversees financial, compliance, operational and performance audits; reviews audit findings and ensures appropriate controls are established and implemented.

Typical Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM

About You
Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Parks & Recreation, Public Administration, Business Administration or other related field AND 10 years of progressively responsible related experience
OR a master’s degree with eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible related experience; six (6) or more years of supervisory/management experience.
Preferred Qualifications:

Previous work as a high-level manager.
Advanced professional certification.
Master’s degree.
CPRP/CPRE.

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 (5) years.

About Everything Else
Starting Salary Range: $150,000 - $160,000/year, 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.