Assistant Director - Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources

About the role

The Assistant Director provides 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.

Responsibilities

• Administers the department's vision and mission, and leads 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.
• Affords support to the Strategic Planning and Policy Coordinator and the Director in maintaining and tracking departmental strategic planning items, goals, and continuous improvement.
• Supports the Grants, Accreditation, and Special Projects Coordinator and the Director in tracking and maintaining grants, assigned projects, and the reaccreditation process through CAPRA.
• Writes reports; prepares and supervises the preparation of agenda items and other comprehensive public and administrative reports for matters within assigned divisions.
• Communicates effectively, 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 the 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.
• 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 the 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.
• Keeps the Director informed of operational decisions and issues, provides 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.
• Assists the Director by providing leadership on an organizational-wide and community basis to ensure that public services are provided in alignment with PRNR and County strategic objectives.
• Maintains strategic partnerships and contacts with community representatives, external agencies, and other organizations.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree 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.

Skills

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

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!)