PARK RANGER - 37000622

Requisition No: 870295 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000622

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000622 

Salary:  $2,896.67/monthly $34,760.00/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 02/28/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Ranger (37000622)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

This position is located in High Springs, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422. F.S. in mandatory. Persistent Failure to comply with this section by any agency of the state shall constitute good cause for discharge of employees duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply.

This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of State Parks, State Historic Sites and State Preserves under the management of Santa Fe Basin GEO Park.

VISITOR SERVICES: Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and unit specific services as directed.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the parks. Participates in prescribed burning and related activities. Participates in vegetation and wildlife management plans; maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Implements site restoration projects. Participates in water resource management plans. Collects and records resource management data.

MAINTENANCE: Constructs, cleans, maintains, and repairs park grounds, facilities and equipment utilizing appropriate tools and equipment. Makes routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met.

ADMINISTRATION: Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects. Answers telephone, operates park radio, various office equipment and maintain logs. Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures. Collects fees, performs cash register transactions and reconciles receipts.

PROTECTION: Performs routine patrols and takes appropriate action to ensure visitor safety and adherence to park rules; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Opens and/or secures park facilities as appropriate.

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Arithmetic

Good public relations

SKILLED IN:

Communicating effectively verbally and in writing

Operating a cash register and reconciling receipts

Accurately preparing reports

Interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner

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

Basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk repair and fence repairs

Utilize a computer including, but not limited to, software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

ABILITY TO:

Perform a variety of skilled trade functions

Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Perform physical labor using assorted power/gas tools and equipment

Participate in prescribed burns

Accurately prepare reports

Collect fees and operate cash registers

Understand and apply rules and regulations

Identify and investigate problems

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays

Completion of Ranger Academy

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:

$2,896.67/monthly

$34,760.00/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:

O’Leno State Park

410 SE O’Leno Park Rd.

High Springs, FL 32643

The park is located along the banks of the scenic Sante Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, and features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, is disappears underground and reemerges over 3 miles away in River Rise Preserve State Park.

O’Leno State Park offers visitors the opportunity to unwind in a natural setting. Enjoy a day of hiking or biking on the park’s shaded trails. The Sante Fe River is a beautiful spot to launch a canoe or try your hand at fishing along its banks.

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.

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.