PARK RANGER - 37000744

Requisition No: 849075 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000744

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000744 

Salary:  $33,760.00 

Posting Closing Date: 04/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Anticipated Vacancy

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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. 

The Work You Will Do:

PARK RANGER 37000744 (non-resident)

SUPERVISOR

Matthew Meehan, Assistant Park Manager, 305-292-6850

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic 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. 

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. SM

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:

FORT ZACHARY TAYLOR HISTORIC STATE PARK

601 Howard England Way

Key West, Florida 33040

A true one-of-a-kind experience, visiting Fort Taylor not only provides a magnificent natural setting to bird-watch or swim but also to immerse yourself in history.

On the southern edge of Key West, Fort Taylor predates the Civil War and is a National Historic Monument housing the largest cache of Civil War armament in the world. Beyond its historical importance, the park is the southernmost state park in the continental United States.

Walk the red-brick corridors of Fort Zachary Taylor, past cannon and gun ports, and history becomes more real than books and photos can depict. One better grasps how soldiers lived as they defended the nation’s southeastern coastline.

Tour guides and interpretive panels explain how the fort played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War.

History is front and center the third weekend of each month as local re-enactors conduct historic demonstrations.

The park also boasts Key West’s favorite beach, located at the southern end of the park, providing opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, paddling and fishing.

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

Pay:

Base salary $2,813.33 plus $95.33 Competitive Area Differential monthly/$33,760 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

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.

VISITOR SERVICES

Explains 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.  Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via tours, walks and displays.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans, recognizes communities and maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means.  Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control.  Implements water resources management plan.  Maintains historical structure using DHR guidelines.

MAINTENANCE

Constructs, maintains and repairs small buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, picnic sites, and all other necessary facilities.  Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities.  Operates a variety of equipment including chainsaws, lawn mowers, tractors and motor vehicles.

ADMINISTRATION

Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including fees, receipts, visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sightings and population counts, accidents, crisis and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle, boat and equipment operations, property records, purchase orders and requisitions, etc.  Answers telephone, operates radio equipment and maintains logs.  Collects fees for park admission and retail sales, balances cash drawer and makes deposits.  Uses purchasing card and follows Department rules, policies and procedures.

PROTECTION

Ensures park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Florida history

KNOWLEDGE OF AND ABILITY TO:

• perform routine inspections
• identify and investigate problems and maintain facilities and equipment
• maintain facilities and equipment

KNOWLEDGE OF, SKILL IN AND ABILITY TO:

• perform house and grounds keeping duties and apply maintenance trades

ABILITY TO:

• communicate verbally and in writing
• explain rules and regulations
• prepare and keep accurate reports
• conduct interpretive programs
• work with herbicides and exotic removal
• work in extreme heat
• work rotating shifts including nights, holidays and weekends
• follow verbal and written instructions
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful, efficient and courteous manner
• maintain a valid driver license
• perform physical labor utilizing power/electric/gas tools and equipment
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations
• operate cash registers, computers and basic office equipment
• successfully complete ranger academy
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check

Other Job Related Requirements for this position:

• Valid driver license
• Successful completion of ranger academy

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_ER@dep.state.fl.us

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.