Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Parks and Recreation? As our Parks and Recreation Specialist, you help create exceptional outdoor experiences for our community. This position supports the management and daily operations of Snook Haven Campground, Snook Haven Regional Park, and related park business activities. Responsibilities include ensuring visitor safety, protecting natural resources, coordinating staff and volunteers, enforcing park rules and regulations, and supporting administrative and business functions.

The ideal candidate is customer-focused, self-motivated, and able to work independently while exercising sound judgment and initiative. A passion for parks, recreation, and natural resource stewardship is essential. This position will be located day to day at the Snook Haven Campground. Flexibility to support evening, weekend, and holiday operations is required. Apply today to make a difference in the community!

About the Position

In this role, you will...

Business Operations

• Process refunds as requested by guests.

• Utilize a variety of software to process reservations, customer inquiries, and tracking operations.

• Collects fees for reservations, permits, and point of sale purchases.

• Assist in the preparation and dissemination of monthly reports, data collection, and metrics.

• Support enforcement of County regulations, policies, and rules related to Snook Haven Regional Park.

• Provide quality customer service by responding to inquiries, concerns, and feedback from the public, concessionaires, and program partners professionally.

• Ensure accurate data collection, reporting, and documentation for audits, compliance, and performance review purposes.

• Manage procurement of supplies, materials, point of sale items, and contracted services to support daily operations; monitor on-site inventories and ensure timely ordering and replenishment.

• Participate in regular meetings, training, and safety briefings to ensure effective communication and consistent program delivery.

• Support other Business Operations locations as needed.

  Program and Facility Management

• Provide direct supervision of assigned full-time and seasonal employees supporting operations at Snook Haven Campground, which operates seven days a week, including nights, weekends, and holidays; ensure staff complete all required training and certifications.

• Ensure clean, safe parks. Provides information/assistance to visitors, emergency personnel, etc.

• Provide oversight and direct the daily tasks of contracted employees and volunteers.

• Ensures proper use of the park and facilities to protect natural resources.

• Submit service requests to address facility issues as identified.

• May perform landscaping tasks to maintain campground, parking, concessionaire, and other areas.

• Assist with the planning and execution of special events.

• Develop and oversee recreational and nature-based programming for campers.

• Monitor for unpermitted commercial activity in parks.

• Provide coverage at other park locations as needed.

• Monitor equipment, vehicles, and tools to ensure proper care, functionality, and safety.

• Other duties as assigned.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

• Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

  Nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

• As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Leisure Services, biological/natural sciences, Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, or closely related field -AND- two (2) years of related experience.

• -OR- A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the above fields can substitute for one year of professional experience. 

• -OR- Progressively responsible professional experience as described herein can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.

• Must obtain certification in CPR and First Aid within the first six (6) months from date of hire and maintain certifications to meet qualifications status.

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 years.

Fingerprint Screening Requirement: This position requires a fingerprint-based background check, as required by law. The screening reviews criminal history and other legally permitted information. Applicants who do not meet the screening requirements will not be eligible for employment. Learn more: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $56,139.20-$58,676.80, based on 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.