PARK RANGER - 37002438

Requisition No: 854554 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37002438

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002438 

Salary:  $33,760.00 

Posting Closing Date: 06/16/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Hobe Sound, Florida

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

PARK RANGER #37002438 (non-resident)

JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK

16450 Southeast Federal Highway

Hobe Sound, Florida 33455

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Ranger position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management.  The applicant must possess good visitor service and administrative skills, be able to work independently and have the ability to perform a variety of skilled trade functions using assorted equipment and tools.  The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. 

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 position covers ranger duties at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park.

VISITOR SERVICES - Explains the 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.  Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via presentations, walks and other programs and unit specific services as directed.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance.  Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park.  Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans, including a very active prescribed fire program, maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means.  Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control.  Implements water resources management plans.  Collects and records resource management data.

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.

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitation, vehicle usage, purchase requests and accidents.  Answers telephones, operates park radio, computer and various office equipment. Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures.  Collects fees, perform cash register transactions and reconciles receipts.  Orders, sells and inventories resale merchandise.  Answers correspondence and maintains park files.

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.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Florida’s natural and cultural resources
• basic arithmetic
• good customer service and relations

SKILL IN:

• communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• operating a POS system, cash register operation and reconciling receipts
• accurately preparing reports
• interacting with all internal and external customers and the public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• performing grounds and building maintenance, including but not limited to, mowing, weed eating, operating zero turn mowers and tractors, pressure washing and painting
• utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chainsaws and drills
• basic plumbing, including but not limited to, repairing hose bibs and waterline repair
• basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets and circuit breakers
• basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk and fence repairs
• utilizing 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 including application of herbicide
• follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• work independently with minimal supervision
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
• speak in public
• operate power boats with outboard motor up to 20’ in length, canoes and kayaks
• operate ATV, UTV with training
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations
• conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems
• clean park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms and picking up trash
• work outdoors in inclement weather
• perform physical labor
• lift 50 pounds and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100 pounds or more
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• successfully complete ranger academy
• maintain a valid driver license
• properly wear uniform
• comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• successfully meet position-specific DRP Burn Standards for Prescribed Fire

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver license
• Successful completion of annual moderate pack test.  Prior to being hired, applicant will be given a single opportunity to take and successfully complete a supervised moderate pack test at a date and location to be announced.  Pack test requires applicant to complete a two-mile walk while carrying 25 lbs. in less than 30 minutes.

Pay:

$2,813.33 monthly/$33,760.00 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:

JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK

16450 Southeast Federal Highway

Hobe Sound, Florida 33455

Sixteen distinct natural communities create the mosaic that is Jonathan Dickinson, the largest state park in Southeast Florida.

Rare environments such as coastal sand hills, upland lakes, and scrub forests as well as the pristine Loxahatchee River make this park a unique spot to explore on land or by water.

Historical interests include a secret World War II training camp, the story of the shipwrecked Quaker merchant who is the park’s namesake, and Trapper Nelson, the legendary Wild Man of the Loxahatchee.

Ranger-guided tours of Trapper Nelson’s 1930s pioneer homestead are available year-round. Visitors can enjoy paved and off-road biking, equestrian and hiking trails. Boating, canoeing and kayaking along the river are also great ways to enjoy the park. 

Anglers can fish along the riverbank or from a boat.

The nature and history of the park come to life through exhibits and displays in the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center. Programs for kids or the whole family are also offered here.

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.