PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000635 1

Requisition No: 875179 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000635 1

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000635 

Salary:  $3,176.43/monthly $38,117.16/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 05/17/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST (37000635)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Pool Requisition

This position is located in High Springs, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422, F.S. is 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 a specialized professional position working in research, education, development and implementation of resource management, visitor services, interpretive and recreational programs, and projects for Santa Fe Basin GEO Park.

Plans, organizes, and conducts community outreach activities, special events and festivals to expand public understanding of the Florida Park Service and park’s management objectives. Researches, develops, coordinates, and conducts environmental education programs, interpretive programs, recreational skills programs, and special events. Represents the parks and the Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations. Disseminates information and promoting all opportunities provided by the park. Provides, research, designs and develops park specific literature for public dissemination, educational displays, and exhibits.

Coordinates the park’s volunteer and manpower augmentation program. Monitors and defines suitable park volunteer needs and coordinates volunteer placement. Develops and maintains volunteer job descriptions, procedural manuals, personnel records, and evaluations. Plans and oversees all volunteer schedules. Tracks volunteer hours prepares appropriate reports and coordinates awards programs. Plans and conducts volunteer meetings, workshops, and volunteer orientation sessions. Ensures that all required reports and documents are submitted in compliance with established schedules. Assist park management in coordinating and overseeing Citizen Support Organizations for the park. Monitors, evaluates, and provides program analysis to the park management on Citizen Support Organization operations, activities, and performance impact.

Researches the history of the park, both cultural and natural, and assists in developing plans for restoration, preservation, and interpretation. Coordinates and participates in appropriate preservation of cultural resources. Conducts natural resource management activities and monitors as needed. Provides protection of facilities and resources.

Designs and implements public marketing relation programs to encourage corporate and/or private support of the park. Researches and identifies available public and private partnership programs having potential benefit for park operations.

Works in the field with other park staff as needed, performing ranger station duties, facility and grounds maintenance, crowd control and interpretation of Park rules.

Perform related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communications

Administrative principles and practices

Methods of data collection and analysis

Natural and cultural resource preservation and restoration techniques

The principles, methods and techniques of training; good public relation techniques

SKILLS IN:

Working with volunteers

Computer operation and applications

Planning, coordinating and overseeing special events

Evaluating and analyzing data

Preparing reports on a variety of programs

Understanding and applying applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures

Planning and overseeing schedules

ABILITY TO:

Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures

Develop and organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, proposals and other written documents

Utilize problem solving techniques

Work independently

Coordinate and conduct meetings, information and orientation programs

Recruit and screen volunteers

Care for captive wildlife such as Gopher tortoises and a variety of snakes to include cleaning cages and feeding

Research topics and write articles and prepare environmental education and other information for dissemination

Monitor, evaluate and assess programs for effectiveness

Prepare and maintain records effectively speak in public formats

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Work rotating shifts including but not limited to evenings, weekends, and holidays

Successfully complete 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:

$3,176.43/month

$38,117.16/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 Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, and features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, it disappears underground and reemerges over three 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 Santa 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.

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.