OPS Education and Training Specialist 37970904

Requisition No: 881737 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS Education and Training Specialist 37970904

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37970904 

Salary:  agency to update 

Posting Closing Date: 09/01/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

#37970904 OPS EDUCATION AND TRAINING SPECIALIST

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Jensen Beach, Florida

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Savannas Preserve State Park is looking for an independent, motivated, and reliable person to work part time in the park’s Education Center to provide excellent visitor service, interpretation programming, administrative support, and custodial support. Applicantsmust be able to work weekends, occasional evenings when special programs are planned, and holidays. 

This is a temporary OPS position which does not include insurance or leave benefits. 

The following duties and responsibilities must be carried out with a safety-first mindset:

• Operate and provide support for front desk services in the Education Center, which include:
  • Cash register operation, sales of annual park passes
  • Providing answers to frequently asked information by visitors in person or by phone
  • Signing interested parties up for hikes or educational programs
• Maintain the cleanliness of the Education Center interior and exterior building:
  • Sweeping/vacuuming/mopping of floors, cleaning toilets, taking out the garbage, dusting displays, wiping down tables/high touch areas, sweeping off pine needles, and sweeping off cobwebs
• Assist Park Services Specialist with the park volunteer program:
  • Running reports on the volunteer portal to identify volunteers that have expired paperwork, need required trainings, need hours approved, reached milestones in cumulated hours for awards
  • Assist with sending out email communications with park volunteers
  • Conduct and/or arrange volunteer orientation, have enough copies of new volunteer handbooks and orientation materials
  • Train volunteers as needed
• Assist Park Services Specialist with advertising/communicating & conducting park events
  • Create/publish/post approved monthly calendar of events/upcoming programs for front desk, kiosks, and social media accounts
  • Coordinate volunteer assistance with set-up, during the event and clean-up
  • Create event map, itinerary, schedules, etc.
  • Assist with creating flyers, printing flyers, etc.
  • Coordinate closely with Park Staff and the Citizen Support Organization
  • Personally assist with event set-up, take-down and operation
• Assist Park Services Specialist with educational programs:
  • teach/conduct activities to elementary aged children (examples: arts/crafts stations, lab stations, small group guided hikes with given materials/guidance)
  • prepare stations/classroom activities with provided materials

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be able to communicate with the public
• Must be able to climb stairs and perform physical labor (safely lift and carry 40 pounds)
• Must be able to work outdoors in the heat
• Computer and office skills required (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Must be fluent in English; Spanish a plus
• High school diploma required
• Valid driver's license
• Willingness to learn

Must have one or more of the following skills:

• Enthusiasm for working with children
• Canva or other graphic art platform

Work Schedule:

The Education Center is open every day of the week, including holidays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when it is closed.

This position is Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with occasional evenings for park hosted special events, and some holidays.  Immediate start date.

Desired Majors:

Preferred: Education

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license

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:

$16.00 per hour 

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:

SAVANNAS PRESERVE STATE PARK

9551 Gumbo Limbo Lane

Jensen Beach, FL 34957

SUPERVISOR

David Dearth, Park Manager, 772-340-7530

Savannas Preserve State Park is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. till sunset.  Our preserve spans roughly 7, 000 acres through both Martin and St. Lucie counties from Jensen Beach Boulevard north to Midway Road in Fort Pierce.

Located on Florida's southeast coast, the park's scenic landscapes represent what the first pioneers would have seen in the area. Savannas Preserve State Park protects a representative sample of a basin marsh that extended throughout South Florida prior to rapid suburban growth.

Pavilions and picnic tables are available near the center and at trail heads throughout the park. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing in the wetlands are popular recreational activities.

Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers will enjoy the diversity of habitats this undisturbed area has to offer. The park boasts over 17 miles of multi-use trails that provide ample opportunities for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

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*).  
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, 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.

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.