A staffing and service level blueprint for 20,000 acres of Pinellas County parkland

The Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department in Florida serves as a critical component of the County’s quality of life and its vital visitor economy. The Department is responsible for maintaining and managing more than 20,000 acres of parkland and environmentally sensitive lands, alongside preserves, beaches, and trail systems. However, years of resource constraints, combined with increasing park visitation and expanding park infrastructure, had created noticeable operational and staffing gaps. 

Raftelis conducted a comprehensive service level and staffing assessment to evaluate how effectively these vast resources were being managed. Through staff engagement, operational analysis, and comparisons to industry best practices, we examined park maintenance operations, staffing capacity, customer service and enforcement functions, and the management of natural resource areas. This allowed the project team to evaluate how current staffing levels and deployment strategies aligned with the County’s actual service level expectations. 

To address the identified operational gaps, we provided recommendations focused on directly aligning staffing levels with service expectations. The study outlined strategies for strengthening preventive maintenance practices, improving the deployment of park rangers and maintenance crews, and enhancing work planning and asset management processes to ensure the long-term stewardship of the County’s expansive park system. 

For more information, contact us.