Regional Maintenance Supervisor Wayne Sanders

Meet Wayne Sanders, the dedicated and skilled Mountain Region Maintenance Supervisor. At 41, Wayne brings a wealth of experience and a passion for parks, shaped by a diverse background and a lifelong love for the outdoors.

Wayne grew up in Westminster, South Carolina, where he spent his early years before moving to Scottsmoor, Florida, in 1999. After living in Brevard County, Florida, until 2012, Wayne returned to Oconee County, South Carolina, where he has continued to build his career and life. Wayne is the proud dad of two girls, aged 17 and 11, and has two loyal dogs who complete his family.

With a degree in fire science technology and additional training in sports field turf management, arborist skills, building construction, welding, and as a former EMT, Wayne's educational background is extensive and varied. This diverse training has equipped him with a unique skill set that he brings to his role in park maintenance and management.

Wayne's journey with the state park service began five years ago, but his passion for parks started much earlier. Before joining SC State Parks, Wayne had some fascinating jobs, including working for a company cleaning the fuel lines on the launch pad for the space shuttle. Wayne's journey in the realm of parks and maintenance began in Brevard County Parks as a ball field tech, and he quickly advanced to a parks maintenance tech, assisting in building and grounds maintenance and even participating in the construction of a new park from groundbreaking to completion. He also assisted in managing crowds during NASA space shuttle launches and has experience working as a firefighter. His meticulous attention to detail and coordination of resources have been crucial in ensuring the smooth functioning of park facilities and infrastructure. 

In 2019, Wayne joined our team at Oconee State Park as a Park Technician and was later promoted to Building and Grounds Supervisor at Table Rock State Park. These roles set him apart as a leader in maintenance management, guiding large-scale construction projects and implementing comprehensive maintenance routines. In April 2024, Wayne was promoted to the Regional Maintenance Supervisor for the Mountain Region of South Carolina. 

As the Regional Maintenance Supervisor, park inspections, cost analysis, and maintaining and distributing regional equipment are among his regular duties in addition to construction with advanced electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. Wayne also goes above and beyond to help other park staff by teaching classes on maintenance-oriented subjects.

What Wayne finds most satisfying about his job is the immediate impact of his work. "Working in parks, you can immediately see where your work goes. Seeing the smiling face of a park visitor or the awe in a visitor gazing at one of our many iconic sites, it all makes me feel proud to do what we do," he says. The construction of Table Rock’s new laundry facility stands out as a particularly gratifying project, as Wayne was involved from planning to completion, achieving this milestone within a short five months.

Balancing work and life as a single father has been one of the hardest challenges Wayne has faced, but his dedication to both his family and his job is unwavering. He encourages others to pursue a career in parks, highlighting the gratification and fulfillment it brings. His advice to those interested in his position is to be patient and eager to learn as much as possible.

Wayne is on his way to becoming an Ultimate Outsider and is particularly looking forward to visiting Hunting Island State Park. Each park offers something unique, and Wayne's enthusiasm for exploring and maintaining these natural treasures is evident.

As Wayne transitions into his new role as Mountain Region Maintenance Supervisor, his wealth of knowledge and expertise will benefit and transform the region's parks. Thank you, Wayne, 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!