Field Operations Manager (0245)

Southwest Florida Water Management District; Brooksville (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Florida Retirement System benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Parental leave

Health and dental insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

Wellness program

Job summary

Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking a Field Operations Manager to lead the operations bureau. You will oversee the maintenance of flood control infrastructure, dams, levees, canals, bridges, and related assets, while guiding a team of 35 employees and coordinating with multiple teams.

The role requires strong supervisory experience, budget oversight, and readiness to participate in emergency operations.

Qualifications

• Oversee a team of 35 staff with five direct reports; coach and mentor.
• Assist with section budget activities and purchase requisitions.
• Respond to inquiries and resolve public complaints; maintain health and safety plans.
• Support emergency operations before, during, and after major events.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage field operations staff ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Develop and implement health and safety plans; monitor compliance.
• Coordinate emergency management activities and incident response per district standards.
• Assist with procurement and budget processes within the section.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Emergency operations

Team leadership

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Associates Degree or higher

Bachelor’s degree or higher

ICS/NIMS training (ICS-100, ICS-700, ICS-800)

Job description

Work for Our Water Resources.Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Work for Our Water Resources.Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Operations BureauSupport the District’s Operations Bureau by using your field operations expertise. In this role, you will oversee the primary duties of the section, ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of the District’s critical flood protection infrastructure and conservation lands. As the Field Operations Manager, you will be responsible for managing the operation and maintenance of the District’s water control structures, dams, levees, and canals. Additionally, you will oversee the maintenance of the District's bridges, wet crossings, air boat slides, and roads on conservation lands, including mowing and repair work. Your role will also involve the maintenance, repair, and replacement of culverts on conservation and project lands, as well as the upkeep of fire lines/breaks and support for the District's prescribed fire program.

This position will participate in all aspects of District emergency operations. You’ll have the chance to work with a wide range of teams in this promising position, each of which plays a vital role in our efforts to preserve our most valuable natural resources.

The District supports employees who prefer flexible schedule work schedule so that they can enjoy their time outside of the District through work-life balance. Come build a career that is challenging, fulfilling, and helps support the District’s mission to protect Florida’s water resources.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) District Total Contribution 14.03%
• 9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave, including Maternity, Bonding and Family Supportive Work Program
• Medical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)
• Vision insurance
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability (District Paid)
• Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
• Health savings & flexible spending accounts
• Flexible schedule for work-life balance
• Legal and Identity Theft protection
• Wellness program
• Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
• Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
• State adoption benefit qualified employer
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Transfer in years of service for other public sector work – towards the FRS program and sick time

Starting Compensation:

Field Manager 2 $79,650.00 - $92,925.00

Field Manager 3 $90,270.00 - $106,200.00

The starting salary range is included for the Field Manager profile which reflects the minimum to approximately 50% of the respective pay grade. The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

• Oversees a team of 35 District staff with five (5) of those staff being direct reports. Monitors and evaluates assigned staff in their performance of assigned or delegated tasks. Identify development needs by coaching and mentoring staff.
• Rewards, encourages, and recognizes staff, promoting a positive work environment; hires, trains, evaluates, and coaches or discharges staff and resolves staff issues; supervises staff in accordance with established policies and procedures; actively supports and promotes succession planning and activities for staff professional development; sets performance expectations and monitors performance; and oversees, generates and implements health & safety plans.
• Assist with the section's budget activities to include purchase requisitions.
• Respond to inquiries and resolves complaints from the public.
• MVP Plant Oversight & Work Delegation.
• Quantification and prioritization of deferred maintenance.
• Determination of heavy equipment needs including a business analysis and justification for replacement and new equipment.
• Conduct supervisory administrative duties such as reviewing and approving timecards or other administrative duties as assigned.
• Support emergency functions before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations such as hurricanes, wildfires, flood control, or other declared emergencies.

Working Conditions

Physical, Visual Acuity Requirements: Medium Work, Balancing, Stooping, Kneeling, Reaching, Walking, Fingering, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Repetitive Motion

Working Environmental Conditions: Both In & Out, Heat, Noise, Vibration, Hazards, Bites, Weather, Power Tools

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials For Field Operations Manager

Field Manager 2

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and Ten (10) years related work experience OR Associates Degree' (or higher) and Eight (8) years related work experience OR Bachelors degree (or higher) and Six (6) years related work experience.
• Incident Command System (ICS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) - ICS-100, ICS-700, & ICS-800 training is required within one (1) year of hire
• Four (4) years of supervisory experience which may include supervising crews or other junior level staff
• Valid driver’s license

Field Manager 3

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and Fourteen (14) years related work experience OR Associates Degree' (or higher) and Twelve (12) years related work experience OR Bachelors degree (or higher) and Ten (10) years related work experience OR Masters degree (or higher) and Eight (8) years related work experience
• Incident Command System (ICS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) - ICS-100, ICS-700, & ICS-800 training is required within one (1) year of hire
• Six (6) years of supervisory experience which may include supervising crews or other junior level staff
• Valid driver’s license

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

Additional Details

This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., out of the Brooksville, FL office. This position is eligible for compensatory time for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

Travel Required

Yes. Some travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until September 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM

About Us

The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone [phone] or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email [e-mail] you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.