PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000741

Requisition No: 855883 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000741

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000741 

Salary:  $37,117.08 

Posting Closing Date: 07/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Key Biscayne, Florida

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST (non-resident)

BILL BAGGS CAPE FLORIDA STATE PARK

1200 South Crandon Boulevard

Key Biscayne, Florida 33149

SUPERVISOR

Ernesto Espinosa, Assistant Park Manager

786-582-2675

Duties 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.

ADMINISTRATION - Efficiently and accurately handles money, financial batches, logs, worksheets, reports, and can complete the closing procedures for the Ranger Station. Answers phones and responds to voicemails and emails in a timely manner. Completes trainings, flex scheduling, and timesheet modules properly and timely. Properly operates radio equipment. Creates and maintains work logs and reports as needed (including incident reports, inventory, maintenance, vehicles, etc.). Proper use of purchasing cards and allocations. Assist in finding grant and funding opportunities for park and CSO.  Recruits, interviews, and manages volunteers and required paperwork, training, and reports. Oversee volunteer duties, trainings, and schedules. Prepare nominations for various awards for the Volunteer Program, Park Citizen Support Organization (CSO) and other park programs as necessary or as directed.

MAINTENANCE - Conducts daily routine maintenance of all park areas. Regularly inspects and conducts preventative maintenance as needed, and reports maintenance needs to management. Assists in park repairs and projects as assigned. Assist in ensuring all work performed by outside and staff workers meets operational, safety and environmental standards set by the Park Manager.

VISITOR SERVICES - Represents the park in providing information about the resources, recreational activities, and rules to the visitors. Attempt to resolve visitor complaints in a calm and helpful manner, answer questions, and share the park’s story with visitors. Maintains and updates visitor information kiosks and other printed park materials throughout the park to provide the best experience to visitors. Serves as the first point of contact operating the Ranger Station POS system as needed.

INTERPRETATION - Plan, research, coordinate, write and implement interpretative programs (both personal and nonpersonal), including nature walks, guided tours, roving interpretation, written materials, and community outreach.  Participate in public speaking engagements. Assist in planning and conducting special events put on by the park and the CSO.  Evaluates existing interpretive programs to identify areas for improvement to more effectively promote natural and cultural resource stewardship.  Works with PSS team working towards the parks management objectives by improving park interpretation and enhancing the stewardship of volunteers.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Knowledgeable of natural resource activities such as listed species management, recognize natural communities, exotic removal programs, wildlife monitoring and other related activities.  Participates in the parks invasive removal program; report results as required.  Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park.  Researches the history of the park, both cultural and natural, and assists in developing plans for restoration, preservation and interpretation.  Assists with imperiled species monitoring when needed.

PROTECTION - Ensures park rules and regulations are enforced pertaining to all natural and cultural facilities and resources and the use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor.  Ensures park interpretive facilities, displays and exhibits and equipment utilized are free of safety hazards. Ensures adherence to established workplace safety standards and helps team avoid incidents.  Ability to protect the park during closing shift. Incumbent required to reside on property for security assistance.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• effective verbal and written communications
• customer service and relations
• natural and cultural resource preservation techniques
• the principles and methods to provide training for volunteers to meet the needs of the park

SKILL IN:

• operating computer and common office equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• time management

ABILITY TO:

• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• successfully complete ranger academy
• plan, organize and coordinate work
• prepare and conduct educational programs
• research and write grants, articles, educational, promotional and interpretive materials
• prepare and keep records and reports
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• coordinate work projects
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• maintain a valid driver license

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Completion of 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:

Base salary $3,093.09 plus $95.33 Competitive Area Differential month/$37,117.08 annual

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:

BILL BAGGS CAPE FLORIDA STATE PARK

1200 South Crandon Boulevard

Key Biscayne, Florida 33149

Experience breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay from atop the historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse.

Cape Florida has long served as a beacon for freedom - from Seminole Indians seeking to remain in their Florida home, to fugitive slaves and Black Seminoles who secretly gathered before taking safe passage to the British Bahamas. Now it marks a place to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine on a beach often ranked in the top 10 beaches nationwide.

Cape Florida, or “the Cape of Florida,” was named by explorer Ponce de Leon during the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513.

Visitors can delve into history on guided tours through the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage or explore the park on foot, on a bicycle or by boat or kayak. 

Be sure to stay to see the stunning sunsets over the bay.

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.