Chief of Budget and Revenue - Sarah Pardue

If you've become an Ultimate Outsider in the last several years, you know the name Sarah Pardue. Known for her dedication and warm personality, Sarah's journey through the SC State Parks system has been a rewarding adventure. Recently promoted to Chief of Budget and Revenue, Sarah has taken on a new challenge that has her managing the financial operations for the entire park system.

Originally from New Jersey, Sarah moved to South Carolina in 2006. "I was set to attend a private college in New Jersey, but when my family relocated here in 2006, I followed," she explains. She spent her first year of college at Coastal Carolina University and pursued a degree in early childhood education when Sarah realized that teaching wasn’t for her. Instead, a summer job at Dreher Island State Park set her on a new path to a career with parks. "I came back to Chapin for the summer and started working at Dreher Island and determined that is what I wanted to do with my life."

Sarah attended Horry Georgetown Technical College while she worked at the trading post of Myrtle Beach State Park before transferring to Midlands Technical College, where she graduated with a business management degree. Sarah transitioned into a full-time role with the park service in 2010 as a Park Ranger at Dreher Island. Since then, Sarah has gone on to become an Operations Specialist, and Operations Manager before being promoted to her current role in November 2023.

As Chief of Budget and Revenue, Sarah manages the financial health of the parks, overseeing everything from setting and tracking budgets to handling the procurement processes for capital projects. "My favorite part is working directly with the field [staff] and being a resource for them.  It has been really rewarding for me as I learn my new role to know that I have gained the knowledge to be able to help other employees," she says. But the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Learning the DOA process and ensuring paperwork is done correctly has been one of the harder parts of her job. Summed up in a phrase, "You will never be caught up," she says.

Sarah’s advice to those interested in a career with state parks? "Start small," she emphasizes. "If you had asked me when I started if I would make it where I am today I would never believe you.  If you asked me two years ago, I probably would have told you the same answer."

A proud member of the park family, Sarah is quick to encourage others to pursue a similar career path. "Absolutely, I grew up in parks and love parks. I became an Ultimate Outsider before it was a program and had my son an Ultimate Outsider by 11 months old.  Working for parks is fun and the people that work in parks are like family," she says.

As a lifelong Ultimate Outsider, her favorite park is whichever one she is at. However, if she had to choose, Devils Fork State Park—with its stunning mountains and crystal-clear waters—might just be her favorite.

Thank you Sarah for all you do! Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current job openings!