CHIEF OF PARKS DISTRICT-DEP - 37000570

Requisition No: 859362 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: CHIEF OF PARKS DISTRICT-DEP - 37000570

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 37000570 

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

Posting Closing Date: 09/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CHIEF OF PARKS DISTRICT-DEP SES (37000570) 

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

OPEN COMPETITIVE

This position is located in Gainesville, 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 actions: hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees. Directs all personnel actions and personnel management decisions within the district. Responsible for administering and directing the management of all operating units within an assigned 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.

Directs the establishment of goals and objectives for each unit and reviews, approves and monitors action plans to accomplish those goals and objectives.

Administers and assures compliance with all components of individual Unit Management Plans.

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

Determines operational priorities, oversees development of budget request, and allocation of funds commensurate to priorities.

Monitors and assesses the operation of district units to assure cost effective operations and compliance with all department and division operating policies and procedures.  Assures completion of and participates in conducting annual management summaries and annual performance and fiscal audits as required.

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 CSOs, protection and administration.

The incumbent of this position is considered to have regulatory responsibility and is subject to the provision of Sect. 110.233, F.S.

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
• 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

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 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 2 Administration

4801 Camp Ranch Road

Gainesville, FL 32641

The District 2 Administration Office is located within Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park by the La Chua Trail. Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals. The LaChua Trail is 3 miles round-trip from the north rim of the prairie to the observation tower. This trail provides scenic views of wet prairie and marsh habitat including Alachua Sink and Alachua Lake.

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.

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.