OPS PARK RANGER - 37970782

Requisition No: 840906 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37970782

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37970782 

Salary:  $17.50 

Posting Closing Date: 11/20/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS PARK RANGER – LANDSCAPE WORKER (Homestead)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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. 

The Work You Will Do:

OPS PARK RANGER – LANDSCAPE WORKER #37970782 (non-resident)

Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an OPS Park Ranger – Landscape Worker.  The applicant must possess good landscaping skills, exceptional visitor service, and a strong work ethic.  The applicant will work with other members of the team, or independently.

SUPERVISOR
Guillermo Rodriguez, Assistant Park Manager, 305-853-3571

The Difference You Will Make:

Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by all through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida. 

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:

FLORIDA KEYS OVERSEAS HERITAGE TRAIL (FKOHT)
3 LaCroix Court
Key Largo, Florida 33037

Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) features more than 90 linear miles of existing trail paved in segments along a planned 106-mile corridor from Key Largo to Key West.

From a locally inspired vision and master plan, the FKOHT is a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian resource that serves as a recreational and alternative transportation corridor for the Florida Keys. Paralleling U.S. Highway 1, a designated National Scenic Highway and All-American Road, this recreational pathway incorporates 23 of the historic Flagler Railroad bridges, offering a scenic venue for hiking, running, bicycling, skating, sightseeing, fishing and paddling. Please be advised that a few fishing bridges in this area have been closed for safety purposes. They are the Ohio-Missouri, Ohio-Bahia Honda, Missouri-Little Duck, Lower Sugarloaf and Niles.

These bridges are part of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway built around the turn of the 20th century. At more than 100 years old, the bridges are no longer used for transportation.

The existing FKOHT is paved in segments along the corridor from Key Largo to Key West, with the longest, continuous section of paved trail located in the Upper Keys between MM 106 at Key Largo and through MM 72 at Islamorada, Village of Islands. The trail and its historic bridges also provide a beneficial, alternative transportation route that links island communities in the Keys.

The trail offers access to many points of interest and ecological resources throughout the Keys, including Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, as well as 10 Florida State Parks. There are camping opportunities available at some state parks and private campsites.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

*OPS/Seasonal/Part Time Benefits Language:

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  Corebridge Financial);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

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

Pay:

$17.50 per hour

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Maintenance

• Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities including heavy trash and litter cleanup. Operates a variety of equipment including, lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, motor vehicles up to 2-ton class hauling debris, fill, etc. Constructs, maintains, and repairs small buildings, fences, trails, boardwalks, picnic sites, boat ramps, docks and all other necessary facilities. Maintains park vehicles and equipment. 

Visitor Services

• Explains the 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. Interprets the trail’s natural and cultural history. 
• Performs related work as required.

Other daily responsibilities include, but not limited to, extensive driving, pulling and backing trailers, and minor administrative duties. Assist with non-native plant removal by physical and chemical means.

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid driver license

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). 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@FloridaDEP.gov

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.