Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

As the Assistant Director you'll provide assistance to the Director managing overall operations within the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department. This is a senior leadership role that performs a variety of complex professional, management and administrative tasks with a focus on the operational divisions in
the department. The position is responsible for the activities, functions and oversight of multiple divisions.

The position ensures the quality of facilities and services provided by the operational divisions, including customer responsiveness and programs and service excellence.

Administrative

• Assists the Director with implementing the department vision and mission and assists in leading the department for maximum employee productivity and morale through hiring, disciplining, evaluating employee performance, investigating and resolving issues associated with assigned divisions.
• Serves as the Acting Director in the Director’s absence by attending meetings, making decisions, and providing department leadership.
• Assists the Strategic Planning and Policy Coordinator and the Director in maintaining and tracking departmental strategic planning items, goals and continuous improvement.
• Assists the Grants, Accreditation and Special Projects Coordinator and the Director in tracking and maintaining grants, assigned projects, and the reaccreditation process through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).
• Writes reports; prepares and supervises the preparation of agenda items and other comprehensive public and administrative reports for matters within assigned divisions.
• Effectively communicates, both orally and in writing, to the County Commission, County Administration, other County departments, the news media and the public.
• Assists with planning and administering annual budget for assigned divisions. Monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility for assigned areas. Researches the feasibility and costs of alternative methods of providing services to the public and recommends improvements.
• Performs evaluation, planning and research activities for park programs that will meet the needs of the community.
• Represents the Director and County at public/community meetings; advocates the County’s mission, vision and values for the benefit of the community. Assists with presentations to the Sarasota County Commission and the public as designated by Director. Serves as a source of information regarding assigned divisions to County Administration and the public.
• 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.

Operations

• Responsible for keeping the Director informed of operational decisions and issues, providing guidance, supervision, coaching and leadership to division managers.
• Continually evaluates, rethinks, and/or develops processes, procedures, budgets, staffing, performance measures and the efficiency, quality and cost of services. Implements change based on these evaluations.
• Demonstrates and promotes effective and trustworthy working relationships by developing and empowering employees, promoting and supporting collaboration, excellence, efficiency, innovation, openness and teamwork among staff.
• Leads managers and staff in the maintaining and enhancing of innovative programming and park management to support operational efficiencies and customer experience.
• Supervises the outreach coordinator who then coordinates with the Communications Department on all marketing and communications functions.

Community

• Assists the Director by providing leadership on an organization‐wide and community basis to ensure that public services are provided in alignment with PRNR and County strategic objectives.
• Assists the Director in maintaining strategic partnerships and contacts with community representatives, external agencies and other organizations.
• Performs customer service functions in a proactive manner and responds to concerns and suggestions in a courteous, professional and customer friendly manner.
• Develops public awareness and participation in PRNR programs, operations and activities.
• 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.

About You

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in in Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources or closely related field and 8(+) years of progressively responsible related experience.
• OR: Master’s degree with 6(+) years of related experience.
• 4+ years of supervisory/management experience.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

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

• Advanced professional certification from NRPA or similar organizations.
• Familiarity with the overall functions of each division.

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 Pay Range: $120,000 - $135,000.00, 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.