PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37002216

Requisition No: 856899 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37002216

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002216 

Salary:  $3,176.43/month or $38,117.16/year 

Posting Closing Date: 08/14/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST(37002216)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Homosassa, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is a specialized professional position working in research, education, development and implementation of volunteer coordination, visitor services, interpretive and recreational programs and projects. Coordinates the park's volunteer and manpower augmentation program. Serves as team leader to accomplish work projects. Assists park management in coordinating and overseeing Citizen Support Organizations for the park. Designs and implements public marketing relation programs to encourage corporate and/or private support of the park. Identifies broadcast and print media interests, cultivates positive media relations and promotes media coverage of the park.

 “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 Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

Coordinates the park's volunteer, CSO and manpower augmentation program.  Acts as liaison between volunteers/CSO and park administration.  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, prepare 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.

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

Design, plan and conduct training activities and programs for employees and volunteers; coordinate training with outside entities for park staff.

Design and implement 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. Develops grants proposals to augment funding for appropriate projects and programs.

Researches, develops, and implements resource management projects and plans relating to aquatic resources. Represent park management at various meetings and workshops involving aquatic resource issues.

Performs related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• media and public relations principles and techniques
• advertising principles and practices
• computers and related applications
• tourism industry principles and practices

SKILL IN:

• operating computers, calculators, copying machines, fax machines and related office equipment

ABILITY TO:

• plan, coordinate and oversee special events
• evaluate and analyze data
• prepare reports on a variety of programs
• 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
• 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
• collect, evaluate and analyze information relating to public relation needs
• handle multiple priorities and insure proper completion of work assignments
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• prepare correspondence and administrative reports
• prepare advertisements, brochures and related promotional materials
• travel to meetings, conferences and conventions
• maintain a valid driver's license
• First Aid, CPR, Emergency Oxygen Administration & Blood Borne Pathogen Training
• successfully complete a background and fingerprint check

Minimum Qualifications: 

• FL Class E or equivalent Drivers License required.
• Occasional Travel required.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certifications within 6 months of employment.
• Work a rotating schedule to include nights, weekends and holidays. (40hrs/week)

Position Of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with Directive 422, Position of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position. 

Pay:

$3,176.43 month/ $38,117.16 year

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:

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

4150 S. Suncoast Blvd.

Homosassa FL 34446

When Homosassa Springs was a popular train stop in the early 1900s, passengers could picnic and take a dip in the spring while train cars were being loaded up with cedar, crabs, fish and spring water. On a 1924 visit, Bruce Hoover of Chicago called it “the most beautiful river and springs in the world.” In this regard, Homosassa Springs hasn’t changed much. A unique underwater structure, the Underwater Observatory allows visitors to "walk underwater" beneath the spring's surface to watch the various fish and manatees swim about. Gaze down into the depths of the first-magnitude spring and perhaps catch a glimpse of fish and manatees in their natural habitat. The park also features a variety of captive animals such as alligators, black bears, red wolf, Key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The native wildlife that reside in the park serve as ambassadors for their species, providing visitors face-to-face connections with the animals and their habitats.

 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);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more 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 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.

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.