OPS PARK RANGER - 37971025

Requisition No: 868432 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37971025

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37971025 

Salary:  $20.00 hr 

Posting Closing Date: 01/25/2026 

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OPS PARK RANGER- 37971025

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

This position is located in Haines City, FL

Closing date: 01.25.2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Ridge Environmental Education and Event Center are seeking self-motivated park service professionals to fill OPS Park Ranger. These roles support park operations by providing visitor services, protection, and administrative assistance while maintaining park facilities and resources.

Applicants must possess strong visitor service and administrative skills, be able to work independently, and have the ability to perform a variety of skilled trade and maintenance functions using assorted equipment and tools. Duties may include guest assistance, facility upkeep, minor repairs, monitoring park grounds, and supporting daily operations.

Applicants must be willing to work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Positions are available in both 40-hour-per-week and 24-hour-per-week assignments, depending on location and operational needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Conference Center plays a vital role in hosting events, retreats and training sessions at The Ridge. Team members support the planning, coordination and execution of events to ensure a high-quality experience for state employees, guests and clients. Responsibilities vary by assignment and may include event setup, food and beverage service, client communication and facility coordination. 

VISITOR SERVICES - Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions in an accurate and professional manner.  Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations.  

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park, assists with maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. 

MAINTENANCE - Maintains Park structures, facilities, equipment and grounds through routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance practices. Conducts routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met.  Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Cleans restrooms and park areas as directed.

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports.  Answers telephone, operates park radio, computer and various office equipment.  Collects fees, operates cash register/point of sale system and reconciles receipts.  Orders, sells and inventories resale merchandise

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.  Responsible for security of cash fund. 

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

 KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Florida’s natural and cultural resources
• good public relations

SKILL IN:

• communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• accurately preparing reports
• interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• clean park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms and picking up trash
• performing grounds and building maintenance which includes but is not limited to mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, and painting
• utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chain saws and drills
• basic plumbing, including but not limited to, repairing hose bibs, waterline repair
• basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets and circuit breakers
• maintain gas powered lawn, farm, and marine equipment
• basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk and fence repairs
• utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

 ABILITY TO:

• participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide
• follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• work independently with minimal supervision
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
• speak in public
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations
• conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems
• work outdoors in inclement weather
• perform physical labor
• lift 40 pounds and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100 pounds or more
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• maintain a valid driver's license.
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• properly wear uniform.
• comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Successfully complete background and fingerprint check 

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:

$20.00 per hour 

Our Organization and Mission: 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s leading 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:

The Ridge Environmental Education and Event Center

5000 Firetower Rd

Haines City, FL 33844

The Ridge Environmental Education and Event Center is a 100-acre property adjacent to Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park.  The Ridge is located along Lake Pierce and Catfish Creek and offers both meeting space and on-site lodging.

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*).  
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• And more!

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

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

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.

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.