Villa Manager Sara Anders

Nestled in the scenic Upstate of South Carolina, Devils Fork State Park is a destination renowned for its clear waters, abundant wildlife, and tranquil atmosphere. For Sara Anders, the Villa Manager at Devils Fork State Park, every day begins with a view that never gets old—Lake Jocassee’s sunrise. "I get the pleasure of working with the most amazing staff here at Devils Fork, and looking out over Lake Jocassee at the sunrise each morning is a reminder of why I love what I do," she says.

Sara has been with South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism for eight years. She began her journey at Table Rock State Park, and after gaining valuable experience, she transitioned to her current role at Devils Fork. Growing up in Dacusville, SC, and now residing in nearby Pumpkintown, Sara is no stranger to the natural beauty that surrounds these parks. 

As Villa Manager, Sara’s days are filled with a variety of responsibilities, from cleaning and preparing villas for guests to managing supplies and supervising her team. "I have always paid attention to detail, and the experience I gained from previous managers in a related field prepared me for the position," she shares. Cleaning the villas before and after each guest, maintaining stock of all supplies, and training and supervising staff are just some of her daily duties. 

Sara acknowledges the challenges that come with managing a bustling park. "The hardest part of my job is keeping up with the laundry," she explains. With the constant flow of guests, staying on top of clean linens and stocked supplies requires organization and efficiency.

Sara’s hands-on involvement goes beyond the day-to-day upkeep of the villas. She’s proud of her contributions to renovations at both Table Rock and Devils Fork. "At Table Rock, I helped build picnic tables, and at Devils Fork, I helped make some design decisions with the renovation of some of the villas.," she recalls. These projects have not only allowed her to leave a personal touch on the parks but also deepen her connection to the places she helps care for.

When asked if she would recommend her career to others, Sara gave an enthusiastic yes! "Especially if you enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the satisfaction of seeing the guests enjoy their downtime at a beautiful park in South Carolina," she says. Her advice to those interested in a similar position? "Be patient while training new staff, stay on top of inventory, and try to maintain a positive attitude—even on the hard days."

Outside of work, Sara is also on a mission to become an Ultimate Outsider by visiting all of South Carolina’s state parks. While she still has a few more to go, her favorite so far is Kings Mountain State Park. "I really enjoyed the horses there," she says.

For Sara, her job is more than just maintaining villas—it’s about creating a welcoming and serene environment where guests can relax and enjoy the beauty of South Carolina’s natural landscapes. With her positive outlook and dedication to the parks, Sara Anders exemplifies the spirit of service that makes Devils Fork State Park a beloved destination for visitors year-round.

Thank you, Sara, for your hard work and dedication to the state park service! Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current job openings!