Parks & Trails Superintendent

Overview

We invite you to join the Pasco Police Department as a Parks & Trails Superintendent overseeing passive parks. This critical and professional role involves planning, organizing, and directing the operation of extensive wilderness and conservation parks, natural areas, beaches, recreation facilities, and programs within designated county areas. You will supervise over 15 staff members and collaborate with other superintendents to ensure smooth departmental processes, consistent policies, and efficient procedures.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operation and upkeep of county parks, including supervising division staff and ensuring facilities and grounds such as picnic areas, shelters, restrooms, playgrounds, trails, beaches, boat ramps, campgrounds, signage, and landscaping are well-maintained.
• Oversee lifeguard operations, special recreation programs, events, and construction projects carried out by specialized staff, including directing contracted services.
• Conduct inspections and implement corrective measures to maintain department standards, policies, and procedures for park operations and upkeep.
• Coordinate scheduling of personnel, maintenance, recreation programs, and allocate major equipment effectively.
• Collaborate with fellow superintendents and external organizations to synchronize tasks and programs, thereby preventing conflicts and promoting operational efficiency.
• Address and resolve public complaints related to parklands, trails, recreational facilities, and community programs.
• Prepare budgets and cost estimates for operations, construction, maintenance, and recreation activities; recommend purchases of equipment and supplies; and support funding decisions for natural resource and educational initiatives.
• Recruit, hire, evaluate, and if necessary, approve payroll for full-time, part-time, seasonal staff, instructors, contractors, and volunteers.
• Deliver presentations to community groups, schools, and civic organizations as needed, and produce professional reports, memorandums, and correspondence timely.
• Authorize requisitions for supplies and equipment and manage allocated budget funds responsibly.
• Maintain records including cost accounting for maintenance and recreation operations, and prepare technical documentation as required.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in current grounds and structural maintenance, construction, leisure services trends, programming, and facility management methods.
• Understanding of public parks and recreation philosophy and objectives.
• Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, and overseeing work progress of diverse staff and programs.
• Knowledge of Florida ecosystems and land management practices.
• Ability to select, train, and evaluate parks and recreation personnel effectively.
• Capability to assess new or proposed enhancements to park operations, maintenance, construction, and equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with employees, community groups, and the public.
• Skills in fostering community engagement and encouraging participation in parks and recreation activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to communicate clearly using verbal, written, and visual methods.
• Physical ability to sit, stand, and walk for prolonged durations.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation Management, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related discipline.
• Four years of experience in parks and recreation operations including two years in a supervisory role over professional parks and recreation staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Experience in the public sector and possession of Professional Parks and Recreation Certification.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Florida driver’s license is required.
• Ability to obtain Certified Playground Safety Inspector and Florida Pesticide Applicator License within one year of hiring.

Additional Information

This position accommodates applicants with disabilities through reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pasco County adheres to a drug-free workplace policy consistent with federal and state laws. Employees are expected to participate in emergency response and recovery efforts, which may require duties outside the usual scope, location, or schedule. Veteran's preference in hiring is granted according to Florida statutes. Notably, Pasco County was recognized as one of the nation’s top workplaces in 2021.