SARASOTA COUNTY – Community Rating System Coordinator (Business Professional III)

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Sarasota County’s Stormwater Department is seeking a Community Rating System (CRS) professional to support the County’s participation in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. In this role, you’ll help maintain and enhance the County’s CRS classification while leading public education efforts related to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and floodplain management. This position plays a key role in advancing community resilience through program coordination, outreach, and regulatory support.
Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science, Environmental Science, or a related field with 3+ years of experience; a master’s degree with 2+ years of experience; or 7+ years of related professional experience in lieu of a degree. We’re looking for someone with a strong understanding of FEMA programs and flood mitigation practices, who is comfortable working with technical information, engaging with the public, and collaborating across teams. Experience with GIS (ArcMap) and knowledge of floodplain regulations are a plus. Apply today!

About the Position
In this role, you will be responsible for…

CRS Program Support:

Lead implementation of activities to maintain the County’s Community Rating System (CRS) classification

Coordinate annual recertification and verification efforts with FEMA and ISO/CRS specialists

Maintain accurate records and ensure readiness for audits and verification visits

Ensure compliance with environmental, historic preservation, and flood protection requirements

Public Education & Outreach:

Develop and deliver presentations, outreach campaigns, and educational materials

Provide guidance to residents, businesses, and industry professionals on flood protection and mitigation

Respond to media and public inquiries related to flood insurance, mapping, and CRS topics

Conduct site visits to assess drainage concerns and recommend mitigation solutions

Grant Preparation, Reporting & Tracking:

Identify and evaluate state and federal grant opportunities for flood mitigation projects

Support application development and determine project eligibility and funding needs

Track project progress, ensure compliance, and manage reporting requirements

Prepare reports, Board materials, and documentation for audits and legal inquiries

Legislation & Policy Monitoring:

Track updates to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and CRS-related policies

Analyze legislative changes and communicate impacts to stakeholders

Provide insight on how policy updates affect flood insurance cost and availability

Interagency Coordination & Regulatory Support:

Collaborate with local, regional, state, and federal partners on CRS and mitigation efforts

Support development and reporting for the County’s Local Mitigation Strategy

Provide guidance to internal teams on CRS program requirements and best practices

Help ensure alignment across departments to support overall program success

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:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Earth Science, Environmental Science, or other related field with 3+ years of related experience.

OR: Master’s degree in a similar field with 2+ years of related experience.

OR: 7+ years of professional job-related experience in the management of technical projects/programs and strategic planning may substitute for the required education.

Valid Florida driver’s license by date 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.

ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification.

Working knowledge of FEMA programs, including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Community Rating System (CRS), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Familiarity with flood mitigation practices, elevation certificates, map revisions, and Letters of Map Change.

Understanding of flood insurance, Florida Building Code, and general construction and development regulations, with experience in technical review, public speaking, and GIS (ArcMap).

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 five years.

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

About Everything Else
Starting Pay: up to $85,009.60, based on experience.

E-Work/Hybrid Work: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home up to 2 days per week! After your first 6 months, and based on job performance and departmental needs, you’ll be eligible to take advantage of this great benefit.