Department:

Planning and Development Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

This position is primarily responsible for overseeing and supervising the Coastal Environmental Permitting team, which includes the review of Coastal Setback Code authorizations, Mangrove Trimming and Protection permits, and Water and Navigation Control Authority permits, and other relevant articles of Chapter 54, and their associated compliance and monitoring. Purpose is to implement relevant sections of the Environment Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the associated Sarasota County Code of Ordinances, and balance the needs of natural resources and the community. In addition to supervisory responsibilities, this position will also conduct technical review, analysis, compliance monitoring of development projects, and permitting associated with Environmental Permitting programs.

Supervisory Duties and Responsibilities

Directly supervise Environmental Specialists within the Coastal team.Coordinate the technical review of development proposals.Delegate work to staff and ensure that quality control and deadlines for project completion are met.Provide assistance and coordination in programs administered by  Environmental Permitting.Conduct performance reviews with and continually trains and mentor’s staff.Resolve technical permitting issues or code enforcement disagreements between public and staff.Provide assistance as needed to Management, other staff, and other County services.Respond to inquiries from the public or other County offices.

Permit Reviews and Coordination

Evaluate development plans pursuant to the Code of Ordinances and for consistency with the Environment Chapter of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.Ensures that determinations are consistent with the environmental protection standards and policies and have the ability to make appropriate independent decisions in implementing these requirements.Provide technical advice to permit applicants at pre-application meetings.Perform technical field inspections.  Confirms native habitat types.  Verifies wetland jurisdictional lines and required upland buffers.  Confirm the presence of any threatened or endangered species.Interface with other departments, and permit applicants, other government agencies, engineers, consultants, builders, and the general public on natural resource issues (e.g., Threatened and Endangered Species, protected habitat, wetlands, etc.).Prepare staff recommendations and permits for action by either the Board of County Commissioners or the Ordinance Administrator.

Code Compliance

Provide expert technical testimony in legal actions in civil court cases, Special Magistrate hearings, etc.Provide supervision and coordinates compliance/enforcement activities.Assign citizen complaint investigations to the appropriate Environmental Specialist.Conduct compliance inspections, respond to and properly resolve citizen complaints, and initiate appropriate enforcement action.

Code Revisions and Regulatory Oversight

Prepare and present staff analysis regarding Code revisions to the public, management and to the Board of County Commissioners.Coordinate and assist other staff members regarding code revisions.Work with other departments to improve coordination efforts and the permitting process.

Work Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:  A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological or physical sciences, or a related environmental field appropriate to the position; two years of professional experience directly related to this environmental regulatory position; and minimum of one year of supervisory experience (lead worker or acting in a supervisory capacity may be counted). A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate environmental field can substitute for one-year of professional experience.  Valid Florida state driver’s license. Must have a good working knowledge of the local environment and skills, as noted in the “Job Competencies” section. 

Preferred Qualifications: Short courses and seminars on wetland and habitat identification, coastal ecosystems, ecosystem restoration, soils, hydrology, and ecology.  Prior management/supervisory skills, training or experience.

Job Competencies:  

Knowledge of Florida trees, shrubs, and other vegetation including nuisance/invasive vegetative speciesKnowledge of (including components, functions, values, and effects of impacts upon) coastal areas, estuarine, and riverine ecosystems of southwest FloridaKnowledge of (including components, functions, values, and effects of impacts upon) habitat systems and wildlife species of southwest FloridaKnowledge of terminology, analytical techniques, and the principles of the physical and natural sciencesKnowledge and ability to understand interpret, apply, and explain applicable County, State, and Federal policies, rules, and regulationsAbility to conduct ecological field surveysAbility to read maps, engineer’s plans, blueprints, and surveysAbility to provide good customer service, effectively, courteously and professionally communicate with groups and individualsAbility to coordinate, plan, and complete multiple and various tasksAbility to deal effectively, courteously, and professionally with groups and individuals in all instancesAbility to utilize problem solving techniquesAbility to coordinate, plan, and complete multiple tasksAbility to work unsupervisedPersonal computer skillsWritten and verbal communication skillsOrganizational skills

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 (5) years.

About Everything Else

Pay: $54,038.40 - $70,262.40

This Posting is currently Open Until Filled

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.