OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - 37971132

Requisition No: 858716 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - 37971132

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37971132 

Salary:  $17.00 hr 

Posting Closing Date: 08/27/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Position is located in Apopka, FL

OPS Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

Closing date: 08.27.2025

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR- 37971132

An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard-working individual, with strong mechanical maintenance experience and heavy equipment operation skills to fill an OPS Heavy Equipment Operator position for the Florida Park Service at Wekiva River Basin Geo State Park in Apopka Florida.

This position is based out of the District 3 Administration Headquarters at Wekiwa Springs State Park. Work can occur anywhere in District 3 of the Park Service. This area covers from St. Johns County in the north to Indian River and Okeechobee County in the South and west to Polk and Marion County.

Your Specific Responsibilities: 

This position will work independently in the field in remote locations installing and prepping fire lines across District 3 of the Florida Park Service. This position also conducts mechanical treatment of overgrown habitat and other heavy equipment resource management projects with forestry grade skid steers, bulldozers, and excavators with mulching or bucket attachments.

Incumbent will be operating equipment and vehicles, such as chain saws, tractors, bulldozers, tree cutters, and mowers. Will ensure proper operation of vehicles, equipment and tools. Cleans and services all vehicles, equipment and tools. Ensures repairs are made to equipment, either by a repair shop or in-house. Performs routine maintenance on all equipment (oil changes, greasing, filter changes, etc.). Secures all tools, vehicles and equipment. Completes and submits monthly vehicle logs.

Performs other related duties as required including but not limited to completing daily routine (check well and maintain, car counters, empty trashcans, etc.), maintaining visitor areas and trails, equipment maintenance and assisting throughout District 3 as needed.

With a CDL this position will also transport heavy equipment.

There are also opportunities to participate in prescribed fire upon successful completion of S130/S190 and passing a work capacity test or proof of completion if interested.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Microsoft Office programs and basic program troubleshooting
• The principals and techniques of skilled mechanical repair work
• Safety procedures required in maintenance and repair work
• Protection and monitoring of Florida’s natural and cultural resources.

 Skill in:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Be able to fill in short reports and communicate effectively with internal emails and timesheets
• Complete monthly vehicle logs
• Operating heavy equipment

Ability to:

• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Accurately prepare reports
• Read and follow maps
• Work in remote and isolated locations independently: perform physical labor with minimal supervision
• Understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws, and regulations
• Identify and investigate equipment problems and repair them onsite
• Operate and maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment
• Drive a manual (stick shift) vehicle

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of annual moderate pack test.

Preferred Skills:

• Commercial Driver’s License Type A (CDL A)

• Experience and training (S130/S190) in prescribed fires.
• successfully meet position specific DRP Burn Standards for Prescribed Fire
• participate in field activities associated with the position, i.e., prescribed burning

Pay:

$17 per hr; $19 per hr with CDL 

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

With emerald springs feeding the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks, this unique park just minutes from downtown Orlando is perfect for observing abundant wildlife or cooling off on a summer day.

Miles of trails beg to be explored on foot, bike or horseback, and canoes and kayaks are available on-site. It’s easy to see why visitors have been flocking to beautiful Wekiwa Springs since the mid-19th century.

Click on the link to preview this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/parks-and-trails/wekiwa-springs-state-park

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:  https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click  Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

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.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.