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 experiences for residents and vacationing guests navigating Sarasota.   We have an opening and you can join this dedicated high-performing team of County professionals.  Enjoy great benefits including the Florida Retirement System (FRS), Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and many, many more such as optional insurance options for Accident, Cancer, Long Term Care and Identity Theft and award-winning wellness program including free gyms and classes at 7 Sarasota County Government locations. 

Division Manager, Park Planning and Development: Under direction of the Senior Manager, the Park Planning and Development Division Manager provides leadership and manages, supervises and administers the activities of this division. In coordination with Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) staff and other departments, performs complex and responsible professional work planning, organizing, directing and implementing park acquisition, planning, design, permitting, contractual development and construction management for existing and new parks. Manages, coordinates and implements the PRNR Capital Improvement Program. Oversees planning functions for PRNR, including community engagement, short and long-range park planning, land acquisition, and development review related to parks. Develops procedures and contributes to policy-making and strategic planning, prepares and oversees budgets, serves as a resource for other PRNR staff, the Senior Manager, Director and other departments, and performs related work as required.
 

Duties

      Park Design, Development and Capital Improvement Program:

• Manages, coordinates and implements the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and associated fiscal resources. Coordinates with Capital Projects, the Office of Financial Management (OFM), the PRNR management team and other staff in aligning capital improvement funds with capital project needs and assuring appropriate use and expenditure of funds. Directs, plans and manages park infrastructure development and renovation in coordination with other departments, assuring that projects align with community needs and meet planning and regulatory requirements, State, Federal and local permits and conditions.
• Participates in team design meetings, reviews and approves park development designs and proposals in coordination with PRNR management team, ensuring that proposed improvements function appropriately, are consistent with construction and maintenance standards, incorporate accessibility, and promote sustainability where appropriate. Makes recommendations concerning improvements, modifications, design strategies, or other aspects of project development. Prepares and provides information to the public, contractors and consultants and serves as PRNR’s main contact during park project development and implementation. Coordinates with municipalities on design and construction of facilities operated by the County pursuant to interlocal agreements and in coordination with State, Federal and local permitting agencies. Involved in procurement process for design consultants, construction companies and other outside contractors for all phases of CIP and other projects. Participates in obtaining, administering and monitoring grants, donations and other special funding sources. Manages, supervises, directs and evaluates the work of contractors and consultants and conducts quality control inspections. Coordinates communications between various agencies.

Park Planning, Acquisition and Community Engagement:

• Manages, coordinates and establishes priorities for long-range planning and short-term park planning activities. Coordinates, monitors and implements the Parks, Preserves and Recreation Strategic Master Plan. In coordination with PRNR management team, directs the preparation of park concept plans or master plans and planning research activities. Works with other divisions to evaluate the adequacy of existing facilities and recommend improvements. Participates in County-wide planning efforts and contributes to long-range planning in coordination with Planning and Development Services, including Comprehensive Plan updates, Evaluation and Appraisal Report, park-related development review, and other planning initiatives.  Assists with ordinances, legislative reviews and changes.

• Oversees implementation of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP). Participates in the development of land acquisition strategies, referring to the Parks Master Plan and other planning documents as needed, contributes to preparation of materials related to acquisitions and assists with site assessments, coordination with other County departments, contractor oversight, technical review, and fiscal activities of the programs. Provides input toward and review of materials for PRNR advisory boards related to park acquisition, planning, development and related projects. Plans and facilitates community workshops and community meetings that ensure opportunities for public input and engagement. Coordinates with others to provide information to the media and the community regarding parks and park projects.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to a variety of audiences, including the Board of County Commissioners, other government agencies, advisory boards, community groups and the general public. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the general public, community groups, boards, public officials, other county departments and other government agencies in order to enhance understanding, engagement and increase investment toward achieving park planning and development goals.
• Manages and supervises staff, providing guidance and maintaining a working environment conducive to quality, creativity and teamwork.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:  Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in landscape architecture, planning, construction management, civil engineering, project management or closely related field and four (4) years of related professional level experience -OR- an Associate’s Degree and six (6) years of related experience -OR- eight (8) years of professional related experience -OR- any equivalent combination of education and experience.  Must also have 2 years of supervisory experience.  A valid Driver’s License is required.

Preferred Qualifications:  Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MS, MA, MBA).  Advanced professional certification PMP, CAPM, CPRP, CPRE or similar is highly desirable.

Job Based Competencies: 

• Strong leadership skills and ability to build consensus with diverse groups;
• Knowledge of principles and practices of
  • Project management, construction, development, implementation and administration
  • Supervision, including selection, work planning, organization, performance review and evaluation, and employee training and discipline;
  • Budgeting and finance including terminology and grant writing and administration
  • Community recreation and related needs assessments and Public recreation trends and community needs and resources
• Knowledge of
  • Principles, methods and equipment used in parks and recreation operations
  • Public policy, rules, regulations and ordinances pertaining to parks, recreation programs and facilities;
  • Laws and regulations related to land use planning and zoning
  • Long range planning and park planning
• Ability to
  • Remain flexible with regard to changing priorities
  • Use Microsoft Office Word and Excel
  • Communicate and make effective presentations
  • Prepare clear, concise and complete reports, correspondence and other written materials, edit and proof written materials
  • Develop and implement project goals, objectives procedures and work standards
  • Develop effective work teams and motivate individuals to meet goals and objectives
  • Exercise initiative, creativity and sound judgment in solving complex design, construction, administrative, operational and personnel problems
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, boards, commissions, public officials, other county departments, other staff, and special community groups.

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 in any class for a period of five years.

Sarasota County Government is committed to wellness and successful applicants must be tobacco free for twelve months preceding date of application.

Drug Free Work Environment             EOE/AA/ADA