The first review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026.
JOB SUMMARY
The Shoreline Director is a highly skilled position which develops, assesses, recommends, and implements sound scientific and ecological principles necessary for shoreline management and maintenance operations. The Shoreline Director will oversee all shoreline-related capital improvement projects, land acquisitions, construction projects (both private and public), and will perform complex management, administrative, and technical work for the Shoreline Department. Oversees the operations of the department including access and facility improvements and maintenance as well as all project aspects related to environmental management. Develops strategic and long-term plans for improving beach and bay access points, for restoring the City's beach and dune system, and for ensuring the City's coastal resources are resilient. This position will be required to work closely with both state and federal agencies on grants, mitigation management, and large-scale re-nourishment and restoration efforts. Takes into consideration a wide range of interests including development, recreation, and infrastructure needs, as well as preserving the beaches and dunes by providing for future sustainable development and community resiliency.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Responds to inquiries related to department policies and procedures, responds to and resolves complaints, evaluates issues and options for optimum customer relations management regarding Shoreline management and maintenance operations.
- Responsible for all permitting related to the beach, including working with both the building department and Texas General Land Office in getting beach and dune protection permits approved. Will monitor construction through inspections and will ensure mitigation matters are in compliance with state regulations.
- Monitors special events and their impact on the shoreline, shoreline access, construction projects, and grants.
- Serves as a member of the City's leadership team.
- Provides staff support to the Shoreline Task Force. Creates, coordinates, and posts all meeting agendas and packets
- Evaluates both the beach and bayside needs, formulates short and long range plans to meet needs in all areas of responsibility.
- Assists with the development of legislative goals and works with the City's lobbyist to pass those goals.
- Assists with the planning and development annexation goals for the beach and bayside as the City plans for the future.
- Analyzes and implements departmental policies and procedures for all aspects of the department to be consistent with best practices to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
- Prepares necessary reports to support goals, objectives, and operational status.
- Oversees, coordinates, and tracks status of capital improvement projects in progress related to shoreline management and maintenance. These projects include beach re-nourishment, dune restoration, beach and bay access improvements, Tompkins Channel maintenance dredging, and the development of bayside recreation facilities such as a quiet wind and water sports venue and deep-water marina.
- Oversees multi-agency coordination of bayside and beach maintenance and beach re-nourishment activities with Cameron County, General Land Office, and United States Army Corps of Engineers.
- Maintains regular contact with consulting engineers, construction contractors, City, County, State and Federal agencies, professional and technical groups and the general public regarding department activities and services, and coordinates activities related to the beach and bayside.
- Oversees the review of applications for Beach and Dune permits of private project development plans for compliance with codes, regulations, standards, adequacy of applications for permits and compliance with approved plans. Performs inspections as needed to ensure construction is in compliance with local and state regulations.
- Oversees the implementation and development of an application for bayside permits of private project development.
- Assist City staff in the enforcement of local, state, and federal ordinances/regulations and in interpreting those codes and master plans.
- Oversees the preparation of engineering plans and specifications, bidding, competency of contractors and vendors, the selection criteria for public contracts, and oversees project management for the construction of beach access and bay access projects to ensure contractor compliance with time and budget parameters.
- Gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations and provides technical and professional advice.
- Makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, and general public.
- Writes and submits to state and federal agencies for all coastal grants (CEPRA, CMP, TPWD, RESTORE, NFWF) and oversees management of all grants received (reporting, procurement, coordination).
- Evaluates environmental information and recommends mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts of development.
- Represents South Padre Island and serves as technical expert on inter-agency, national, state, and local committees as well as liaison with industry, research institutions, and various professional societies regarding the direction and integration of shoreline management issues.
- Determines work processes and procedures, prepares work schedules and monitors work flow to meet goals, objectives and performance measures.
- Evaluates programs, services, staffing, equipment and infrastructure of the department's operations.
- Supervises department personnel including the hiring, training, evaluation, and discipline which includes mentoring and developing employees to foster creativity.
- Works closely with the Operation Manager and oversees maintenance activities as it relates to the beach, bay, access points, and department infrastructure.
- Oversees the department's fleet of vehicles and equipment; works with the Operations Manager and Fleet Foreman on required maintenance for all departmental units.
- Responsible for coordinating travel arrangements and necessary conference registration for all Shoreline Department staff members.
- Attends all City Council meetings.
- Plans, coordinates, and oversees emergency management operations as it relates to the beach and bay during emergency situations and disasters. Will monitor the beach and dune system before, during, and after emergency events. Coordinates with the Emergency Management Coordinator on any beach/dune impacts that need to be reported to state and federal agencies.
SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS
- Attendance and participation in committee and board meetings when items related to Shoreline Management are on the agenda and when requested.
- Assists with public information requests as needed.
- Assists with special event permit applications as needed and requests approval from the Texas General Land Office for all special events to take place on the beach.
- Maintains local, state, and national memberships for department and city staff (ASBPA membership).
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
FISCAL BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY
- Responsible for adhering to all City of South Padre Island Purchasing Policies, including the City's purchasing card policy, while performing purchasing tasks.
- Responsible for purchasing equipment and supplies as needed for the department.
- Prepares and submits grant proposals, applications, and reporting.
- Prepares, manages, and evaluates four budgets: Beach Maintenance (Fund 60), Beach Access (Fund 61), Bay Access (Fund 62), and Beach Re-nourishment (Fund 81). In addition, oversees any other related project accounts (Venue Tax Fund 57 for the Wind and Water Sports Venue).
- Performs budget transfers, adjustments, creates procurement proposals, and procurement advertisements.
- Develops and assembles procurement documents and coordinates any required reviews to ensure consistency and accountability with the Finance department.
- Reviews, interprets, monitors, and creates contracts for procured individuals, companies, and firms. Monitors vendor performance and makes recommendations to City Council regarding new contracts and renewal contracts.
- Responsible for entering and processing all purchase orders as well as all invoices for the department.
- Requests and maintains quotes and prices for items related to the department.
- Prepares the monthly purchase card expense reports for all department employees.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Requires a master's degree or equivalent with coursework in marine science, geology, ecology, oceanography, biology, marine/coastal engineering, or closely related field.
Experience:
- Seven (7) years of related work experience in shoreline resource management or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education and experience, equivalency to be determined by the City.
Licenses or Certifications:
- A valid state driver's license is required or you must be able to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
- Ability to obtain a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certified Drone Pilot certificate within a year of hire.
- Ability to become a Certified Coastal Practioner (CCP) from the Coastal Zone Foundation within two years of hire.
Special Requirements:
- Bilingual: Spanish and English preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Considerable knowledge of Federal/State/Local ordinances and regulations regarding the shoreline and its resources.
- Ability to develop a thorough knowledge of applicable City policies, laws, and regulations affecting department activities while ensuring they are in line with state regulations.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with citizens, employees, supervisors, and the general public.
- Ability to understand and manage high-profile, sensitive, or controversial political situations.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully organize and manage public sector operations and lead staff and teams to achieve goals and objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Skill in operating applicable tools and equipment, as listed.
- Working knowledge of ESRI GIS products and Global Positioning Systems.
- Ability to learn Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for drone use and beach monitoring.
- Ability to analyze and synthesize complex or diverse information.
- Ability to collect and research data using intuition and experience to complement data.
- Ability work after hours, weekends, and holidays if needed.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Personal computer, Geographic Information System (GIS), Survey Grade GPS equipment, drones and related equipment, word processing, spreadsheet, data base and PowerPoint software, motor vehicles, telephone, mobile radio, fax and copy machine, and other related equipment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger, handle feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and smell. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers, various pieces of office equipment, and motor vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee often works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. The work takes place both indoor in an air-conditioned office and outdoors on or around the beach and bay. While performing the duties of this position the employee will be exposed to direct sunlight on a regular basis.
