Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) - Trail Assistant

Requisition No: 856825 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) - Trail Assistant

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37971420 

Salary:  $18.55 Per Hour 

Posting Closing Date: 07/30/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

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:

This position serves as a trail assistant and is responsible for providing logistical and field support for the Florida Conservation Corps program participants.

The Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) currently consists of 6 staff and 65 AmeriCorps national service members who serve in 31 state parks and regional district offices. Members focus on invasive exotic plant management, recreational trail improvement and assessment, and volunteer recruitment and management. Additionally, FLCC members can deploy across Florida and other states in response to natural disasters. The trail assistant will assist in training and supporting disaster response deployment efforts.

The incumbent for this position plays a vital role in assuring the timely submittal of member paperwork, assisting members with program-related questions, and maintaining tools and equipment. Applicants should be advised that this position will require regular travel, approximately 1-2 weeks out of each month. While on travel, accommodations can range from hotels to Florida State Park lodging (cabins, trailers, tents etc.). Additional details shall be provided upon selection for an interview.

Link for more information about the program: https://www.floridastateparks.org/FLCC

The Difference You Will Make:

This role will plan and coordinate trail projects to improve accessibility and public use trails at Florida State Parks.

This role is within the Florida Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program within the Division of Recreation and Parks. This role is critical to applying AmeriCorps resources to the trail needs of state parks.

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:

FLCC Administration

4801 Camp Ranch Road

Gainesville, FL 32641

Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, Florida, and the largest city in North Central Florida. Gainesville serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial center for the north-central Florida region.  Gainesville's numerous parks, museums and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban "forest," Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: OPS 

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.

Pay:

$18.55 per hour

Your Specific Responsibilities:

LEADERSHIP – Lead groups of people with various experience levels. Be able to adapt and overcome rapid changes.

SAFETY – Making sure members are following all safety guidelines and procedures according to DEP and FLCC standards.  This includes all members wearing appropriate PPE, daily safety meetings being conducted, and safety being a priority throughout every project.

TEAM TRACKING – accurately tracking team activities and performance measures.  Ensuring the team is meeting the expectations and goals of the projects according to FLCC standards and expectations.

COMMUNICATION WITH FLCC STAFF – keeping active and open communication with other FLCC staff to ensure project expectations are being met, incidents and accidents are being recorded/ reported appropriately, team members are completing required paperwork and tasks on time, and members have all gear and PPE as needed. 

COMMUNICATION WITH PROJECT SITES – maintaining open communication with park staff to ensure the needs of the park are being met. Acting as the liaison between FLCC and park staff to ensure understanding of FLCC expectations.

VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE – communicating with the team to make sure the vehicle logs are being filled out completely and accurately, all tool maintenance is being completed each day on the project, tool maintenance logs are being completed and turned in, needs and requests are being submitted to FLCC office promptly.

TRAINING – training members on FLCC, AmeriCorps, and Florida Park Service expectations and guidelines. Training members on teamwork, communication, equipment use, safety, and other topics as needed.

DISASTER RESPONSE – Ability to assist in training and leading the FLCC AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT) during deployment for up to 30 days.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Florida’s natural and cultural resources
• Computer operations including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Acrobat, Outlook)
• Customer service and public relations

Skill in:

• Interacting with all internal and external customers and the public in a professional, tactful, and courteous manner
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• Use of various hand tools, small engines, power tools, and the operation of vehicles.
• Accurately preparing reports
• Conflict resolution

Ability to:

• Implement disciplinary action to members by following FLCC standards after communicating with office staff
• Speak in public in small and large groups
• Assist in coordinating large week-long events in October, January, and July.
• Follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Understand and apply rules, directives, laws, regulations, and policies
• Work effectively with others
• Use problem-solving techniques
• Comply with uniform standards
• Maintain a valid driver’s license
• Successfully pass a background check
• Travel for 7-10 day projects multiple times a month with varying accommodations including camping
• Always maintain professional standards
• Deploy for a disaster response deployment up to 30 days
• Work in a fast-paced, constantly changing work environment 

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• Complete tool maintenance including hand tools, chainsaws, and power equipment
• National Service
• Trail creation and maintenance
• Emergency management operations

Skill in:

• Operating a 15- passenger van
• Towing a trailer
• Safely operating a chainsaw
• Quick decision making

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_Recruitment@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.