CHIEF OF PARKS DISTRICT-DEP - 37001472

Requisition No: 883524 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: CHIEF OF PARKS DISTRICT-DEP - 37001472

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 37001472 

Salary:  $87,975.00- $99,500 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/21/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

 CHIEF OF PARKS DISTRICT-DEP SES (37001472) 

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

This position is located in Apopka, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Spends majority of their time communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees; and planning and directing employees’ work, and has the authority to recommend the following: hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees. Directs personnel actions and personnel management decisions within district.

Directs the implementation of policies, plans and programs related to administration, resource management, visitor services, protection and maintenance to assure a balance between protecting and enhancing the quality of natural and cultural resources while providing compatible, safe, quality, outdoor recreation opportunities.

Serves as a member of the Division Management Team, providing input and assistance in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and initiatives of statewide significance. Serves on committees as deemed appropriate.

Creates and maintains communications and relationships with partners on a local, regional and statewide level; to include local, state and federal governments, special interest groups, citizen support organizations and other individuals and organizations contributing to the betterment of Florida State Parks.

Determines operational priorities. Directs development of budget requests, and allocation of funds commensurate to priorities.

Directs the coordination of the functions and activities of district staff programs related to public relations, training; ADA compliance, donations and grants, environmental education, interpretation, volunteers and CSO’s, protection and administration.

Directs natural and cultural resource management programs relating to parks within the district.

Visits parks and community leaders within the district to proactively manage park issues and build community support. Administers and assures compliance with all components of individual parks’ Unit Management Plans.

Monitors and analyzes trends in all program areas and acts on or recommends actions on trend changes and issues that affect management.

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Operational management practices.
• Processes and personnel management.
• Methods of data collection and analysis.
• The principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication.
• Applicable accessibility and inclusion laws, regulations, standards and guidelines.
• Budgetary processes.
• Contract and use agreements.
• Natural and Cultural resource management practices and techniques including prescribed fire, springs, exotic species and cultural landscapes and facilities.
• Effective marketing techniques.

Skill in:

• Utilizing problem solving techniques and applying critical thinking skills.
• Determining work priorities.
• Planning, organizing and coordinating work assignments.
• Personnel management.
• Team building.

Ability to:

• Supervise a large staff of diversified positions.

• Use Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook.
• Apply policies and procedures, statutes and administrative rules.
• Solve problems and make decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Calmly and effectively coordinate emergency/crisis situations.
• Collect, organize, evaluate and analyze data.
• Be detail oriented.
• Develop staff for high performance.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse audiences.
• Work independently.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Travel.

Position of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

Pay:

$87,975.00- $99,500.00 Annually

Our Organization and Mission: 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

District 3 Administration

1800 Wekiwa Circle

Apopka, FL 32712

The mission of the Florida Park Service is to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Special Notes:

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.