PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37001351

Requisition No: 843968 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37001351

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001351 

Salary:  $3,093.09 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 01/17/2025 

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PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Closing Date: 01.17.2025

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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. 

The Work You Will Do:

Park Services Specialist- 37001351

An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard working individual, with strong facility management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance experience to fill a Park Service Specialist position at Lake Louisa State Park located a short drive from Orlando. 

This is a semi-specialized position responsible for the resource management program at Lake Louisa State Park. The primary duty of this position includes but is not limited to natural systems management allowing for the preservation, interpretation and restoration of the parks natural and cultural resources.

Contact: Kyle Blair, Assistant Park Manager

352.394.3969. Travis.Blair@dep.state.fl.us

The Difference You Will Make:

The Division of Recreation and Parks provides resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources. Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by all through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida. SM

How You Will Grow:

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:

 Lake Louisa State Park

3705 US Highway 27

Clermont, FL 34714

The natural theme park of Lake Louisa State Park showcases a diversity of wildlife, including deer, bobcat, gopher tortoises, fox squirrel and flighted creatures like bald eagles and osprey.

The park is home to 11 distinct natural plant communities and lies within the eastern boundary of the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern and the northern boundary of the Lake Wales Ridge.

The park’s three major lakes, Louisa, Hammond and Dixie, transform idle observers into active participants with opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Bicycling is popular on the park’s seven miles of paved roads over rolling hills and on the 20 miles of unpaved multi-use trails.

Click on the link to preview this beautiful park:  https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/lake-louisa-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 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);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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

Pay:

Base salary $3,093.09 monthly/$37,117.08 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Resource Management - Takes the lead role in planning, coordinating, and implementing all resource management and restoration projects within the park, including but not limited to all facets of prescribed burning, upland restoration, hydrological restoration, control of non-native invasive plants using mechanical and chemical means and animal species and monitoring populations of designated species such as eastern indigo snake, Sherman fox squirrel and gopher tortoise.  Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire including line prep, equipment maintenance, and planning. Act as the onsite coordinator supervision for and assign tasks to AmeriCorps members.

Visitor Service - Performs all morning and evening ranger station duties including using point of sale systems, answering phones, explaining facilities, and resolving visitor issues.

Maintenance - Assists with maintenance, repairs and improvements of all park facilities, grounds, support buildings, trails, firebreaks, fences, gates, roads, vehicles and equipment. Conducts routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met and identifies and prioritizes needs. Completes basic repair tasks and construction in all trade skills. Cleans restrooms and park areas as directed.

Administration - Abides by fiscal and purchasing guidelines. Acquires bids, quotes, and proposals for projects and equipment. Purchases materials, tools, and equipment. Plans and leads work projects with employees, volunteers, and interns. Completes reports, timesheets, vehicle logs, P-Card purchasing, tracking sheets, wildlife sightings, invasive removal reports, etc. using a variety of computer applications.

Interpretation - Conducts educational and outreach activities to better acquaint the general public and resource users with the natural resources and resource protection needs of the park.  Activities include conducting interpretive programs and field trips.

Protection - Performs routine patrols and security checks; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan.  Opens and/or secures park facilities as appropriate.  Interprets and enforces park rules pertaining to all natural and cultural resources and facilities and use thereof for the safety and enjoyment of the visitor.

Performs other park-related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:  resource preservation, restoration and resource management techniques; technical report writing; compiling, organizing and analyzing data.

Skill in:  producing photographs; preventative maintenance techniques and procedures; effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques; facility repairs and improvements.  

Ability to: maintain effective working relationships with others; perform basic computer-based assignments and operation; research, plan, prepare and effectively present educational and interpretive programs; operate various maintenance equipment, mowers, tractors, UTV’s and 4x4 vehicles

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successful completion of background/fingerprint check
• Passing moderate pack test prior to employment
• Must successfully complete ranger academy

This position requires a moderate pack test to be involved with fire management, you must be able to successfully complete a 2-mile walk carrying 25lbs under 30 minutes. 

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: This position is a Position of Trust. Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable 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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.