Administrative Specialist II

Department:

UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Looking for a career that makes a real difference in your community while still offering an outstanding work-life balance? Join our team with UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability Sarasota County, where your skills will directly support programs that educate, empower, and improve lives across our region. In this role, you'll provide essential administrative and financial support, helping coordinate projects and events, manage budgets, and keep things running smoothly for a team that's passionate about sustainability and community service. From collaborating with stakeholders to ensuring our programs operate efficiently, your work will have a visible, positive impact every day.

We believe in taking care of the people who take care of our community. Sarasota County offers amazing benefits that begin within 60 days of hire, along with flexible, supportive work environments designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally. This is more than just a job; it's a chance to build a meaningful career with a team that values your contributions, celebrates successes, and works together toward shared goals. If you're ready to combine purpose with professional growth, we encourage you to apply today.

About the Position

In this role, you will provide...

Administrative and Financial Support:

• Work with the Finance and Data Specialist to process purchase card transactions, reconcile monthly statements, manage deposits, and handle purchase orders/contracts (including new vendors, requisitions, insurance certificates, change orders, and invoice approvals).

• Review and monitor purchase requests for funding availability and compliance with OFM/Procurement guidelines.

• Provide administrative support to Extension staff, coordinate program/event logistics, and respond to requests in collaboration with the Operations Manager.

• Lead employee recognition efforts, including tracking achievements, updating the Wall of Fame, posting stakeholder feedback, and overseeing peer recognition awards.

• Serve on assigned county-wide committees and assist with program evaluation surveys (creation, updates, and results analysis).

• Provide back-up for the Administrative Specialist I role, including front desk coverage and customer service for visitors and callers.

Support for Sarasota and Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation Districts:

• Coordinate monthly board and annual working group meetings, including announcements, guest invitations, agenda preparation, attendance, minute-taking, and routing minutes for approval.

• Assist with planning and preparing annual events, ensuring smooth logistics and execution.

• Support budget development, financial reporting, and related administrative tasks such as filing and record retention.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. (no weekends)

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:

• High School Diploma or GED with 2 to 5 years of clerical and computer experience.

• Or: One year of college coursework in Business from an Accredited College or University may substitute for 1 year of experience.

• Valid FL 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.

• 2 to 5 years of college coursework in Business from an Accredited College or University.

• Bilingual skills are a plus, with proficiency in MS Office Suite, email, and internet applications.

• Strong customer service, communication, and multitasking abilities to manage multiple projects effectively.

• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and anticipate the needs of staff and the office.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.

Level II Fingerprinting: This position is subject to passing a Level II Fingerprinting.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $ $22.50

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:

• 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 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

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

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