Natural Areas and Trails Supervisor

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources 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.

• 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

• 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

• Natural Areas Training Academy Certified Natural Areas Manager
• Advanced prescribed fire and nuisance/invasive exotic plant/animal control and mitigation training/certifications

• 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.)

• 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!
• 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!)