Department:

Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources

About Our Job

US News & World Reported that Sarasota, Florida is the number 1 place in Florida and Number 18 in the country for best places to live. We need your help to create wonderful multi-modal experiences for residents and vacationing guests travelling in Sarasota. 

Are you looking for an opportunity to provide senior leadership and management of the Parks & Recreation Department?

Natural Area & Trails Division is responsible professional work that plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and supervises the use, activities and events; supervises staff, operations and maintenance; ensures environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance; establishes procedures and guidelines and contributes to policy-making; strategic planning; oversees budgets

About Our Job
Under direction of the Division Manager, performs complex and responsible professional work and technical staff assistance in the management and operation of all Natural Areas and Trails (NAT) Division of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and supervises use, activities, programming and events; supervises staff, ensures excellent customer service; ensures safe and clean venues, development and implementation of educational programs and event operations and maintenance; ensures environmental stewardship, directs the management of multiple facilities while protecting the parks, and preserving habitats, wildlife, and amenities; regulatory compliance; development and implementation of goals and objectives, establishes procedures and guidelines and contributes to policy-making; strategic planning; oversees budgets; serves as a resource for and coordinates with other staff, the Division Manager, other governmental agencies and other units across the enterprise.

Job Description:

Budgeting, Staffing & Accountability

• Manages, directs, coaches, mentors, trains, evaluates, and supervises staff and assists Supervisors within the NAT Division.
• Prepares, monitors and administers NAT budgets.
• Makes recommendations on services, staffing and procedures and serves as primary hiring authority for NAT.
• Coordinates with staff to ensure appropriate prioritization, coordination and scheduling while analyzing and assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of work performed both by staff and contractors.
• Ensures proper implementation of PRNR Pricing Plan and partnership applications.
• Ensures participation in and proper collection of data supporting timely completion of performance evaluations.
• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for park staff, volunteers, contractors, and other partners that operate in or work to build or maintain county managed parks and park amenities and lands. This includes a comprehensive and diverse program of park services, public information and engagement and marketing, recreation program activities, and technological advancements. 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; initiates disciplinary procedures as appropriate.

Facility/Park Maintenance

• Coordinates with staff to ensure that a broad range of nature-based programs, activities and outdoor recreation are provided.
• Utilizes Maximo and the Quality Assurance Team Smartsheets for ensuring proper maintenance of parks, trails, and amenities within NAT.
• Park management and oversight including regular reviews of assigned parks, trails and amenities to ensure a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for park patrons.
• Provides for good stewardship of historical, cultural and archaeological resources by promoting awareness and contacts to staff.
• Provides for good stewardship of protected species (flora and fauna) and habitats by providing staff with appropriate tools such as training and resources.
• Oversees land and habitat management efforts at natural areas and trails including in-house and contractual management of nuisance vegetation, mechanical vegetation management and habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement.
• Responds to complaints, investigate problems, and provide resolution to a wide range of issues or problems. Respond in a timely manner to public inquiries and requests for information or services. Coordinate with public agencies regarding proposals for the use of public park lands and amenities for infrastructure improvements or maintenance, marketing and education, and other general government uses of park lands.
• Respond to the requests for press and public information needs. Attend and present at various public boards, committees, and associations (e.g., County Commission, Parks Advisory and Recreation Council, various municipal park advisory boards.
• Direct, plan, control, and supervise park operations and infrastructure development and reconstruction, assuring that projects align with the desires of the community, planning and regulatory requirements, permits, and conditions. Review and approve park development designs and proposals that function appropriately and are consistent with construction and maintenance standards. This is work involving participation in team design and permitting meetings, on-site coordination and supervision of contractors and staff, quality control inspections, public workshops and construction and landscape design input from a wide variety of stakeholders and the general public. Work with County, State and other agencies, as necessary. Plan for and implement non-capital park improvement projects and improvements utilizing the cost benefit analysis, alignment with Leisure and Recreation trends, and community needs assessments as appropriate.
• 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.