Department:

UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability Sarasota County is seeking a passionate and community-minded Sustainability Outreach Coordinator to help advance sustainability initiatives across Sarasota County. In this impactful role, you’ll inspire positive behavior change through education, outreach, and engagement while helping residents and employees make informed choices around energy efficiency, water conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable living.

If you enjoy building partnerships, leading meaningful community programs, and turning ideas into action, this could be the opportunity for you. We’re looking for someone who brings strong communication and project coordination skills, a passion for sustainability, and a desire to make a lasting difference. Qualified candidates with experience in environmental outreach, education, community engagement, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Starting pay ranges from $58,947.20 to $62,004.80, based on experience. Apply today!

About the Position

In this role, you will be responsible for...

Education, Outreach, and Community Engagement:

• Plan and lead sustainability classes, workshops, and community events focused on topics such as energy efficiency, water conservation, climate resilience, green building, and sustainable living.

• Develop inclusive outreach strategies that engage diverse audiences, expand program participation, and connect communities with valuable resources.

• Manage and support sustainability initiatives, including the annual Sustainable Communities Workshop and Energy Upgrade program, by coordinating partners, volunteers and community education.

• Support grant-funded projects and help identify new sustainability initiatives that address community needs and advance program goals.

Communication and Partnership Development:

• Create engaging educational and marketing materials, including newsletters, emails, social media content, websites, brochures, and other outreach tools.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to strengthen collaboration and expand sustainability efforts.

• Represent Sarasota County at meetings, public events, and speaking engagements while promoting sustainability programs and success stories.

Program Analysis and Project Management:

• Research sustainability trends, best practices, and emerging solutions to support program development and strategic decision-making.

• Track program metrics, analyze data, and prepare reports to measure impact and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Manage projects from planning through completion, including timelines, budgets, deliverables, and stakeholder coordination.

Note: Sarasota County employees who work for UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County may be responsible for the implementation of programs administered by the University of Florida, in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Florida and Sarasota County.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility in scheduling is essential, as regular work hours may include weekends, early mornings, and late evenings.

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

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Communications, Education, or a related field and 3+ years of related experience.

• OR: Master’s Degree (preferred) in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Communications, Education, or related field and 2+ years of related experience.

• OR: Year-for-year experience (7 years minimum) may be substituted for the college degree. 

• Valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

• Master’s degree in sustainability, environmental science, communications, education, or a related field.

• Experience in sustainability, environmental outreach, education, event planning, marketing, or community engagement, with knowledge of topics such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, climate resilience, or environmental education. Related certifications are a plus.

• Strong communication, customer service, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively with diverse groups.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is essential; experience with databases or eNewsletter tools preferred.

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 5 years.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

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 Range: $58,947.20 - $62,004.80, 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.