PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37002128 1

Requisition No: 829130 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37002128 1

Position Number: 37002128 

Salary:  $3,003 MONTH; $36,036 ANNUAL 

Posting Closing Date: 05/22/2024 

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

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

The Work You Will Do:

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST (37002128) FIRE & RESIDENCY POSITION

WES SKILES PEACOCK SPRINGS STATE PARK

The position needs a self-motivated park service professional to fill a park services specialist 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. Reside onsite in a 3 BR/ 2 Bath residence.

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:

Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park

18532 180th Street

Live Oak, FL 32060

Renamed to honor the late world-class explorer, diver, cinematographer and photographer Wes Skiles, Peacock Springs has two major springs, a spring run and six sinkholes, all in near pristine condition.

Cave divers travel from all over the world to explore nearly 33,000 feet of surveyed underwater passages at Peacock Springs. The park features one of the longest underwater cave systems in the continental United States. Only divers who show proof of their scuba certification are permitted to explore the underwater caverns.

Around the springs, four major plant communities are represented in the mature forest stands. An award-winning nature trail leads visitors on a path tracing the twisting tunnels of the caves far below their feet, educating hikers along the way.

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:

 $3,003 month/$36,036 annual

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.”

This is moderately independent specialized work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park.

Visitor Services:  Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment, and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions and enforces FPS dive policies.  Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via tours, walks, and other means.

Administration:  Conducts revenue collection and reporting. Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sighting and population counts, accidents, incidents, vehicle and equipment operations, property records, p-cards, purchase orders and requisitions, etc.  Answers telephone, operates radio equipment, personal computer and maintains logs.  Answers correspondence and maintains park files. Assists with volunteer and citizen support organization coordination. Acts as liaison between park and District Park Programs Development Specialist.

Maintenance:  Construct, maintain and repair small buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, picnic sites, tools and equipment and all other necessary facilities. Maintain cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Performs routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met. 

Resource Management:  Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire. Understands issues with non-native species and implements vegetation and wildfire management plans; recognizes communities and maintains optimum species control via natural, mechanical, and chemical means. Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control. Implements water resource management plans. Collects and records resource management data.

Protection:  Performs routine patrols and ensures visitors safety and enjoyment by enforcing park rules pertaining to all natural, historical, and archaeological facilities and resources. Opens and/or secures park facilities as appropriate. The duties of this position require the incumbent to reside on the property.

Perform other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• methods and techniques used in repair and/or maintenance of park maintenance of park facilities, equipment, and grounds maintenance
• administrative practices to include but not limited to daily and monthly reports, collection of park fees and purchasing policies
• an understanding of the principles of natural resource management and its application
• FPS diving policies 

SKILL IN:

• using a variety of hand and power tools/equipment
• maintenance of facilities and grounds
• the operation and use of various kinds of equipment including tractors, zero radius mower, etc.
• using a state computer and associated software programs, e-mail, internet, cash register and calculator

ABILITY TO:

• successfully meet position-specific DRP Burn Standards
• work independently while balancing a wide variety of responsibilities
• perform a variety of skilled trade functions
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• perform physical labor using assorted power/gas tools and equipment
• participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide
• train and coordinate volunteer & staff projects
• accurately prepare reports
• collect fees
• understand and apply rules and regulations
• identify and investigate problems
• work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays
• reside on the park property
• successfully complete ranger academy
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of annual moderate pack test.
• Reside on park property.

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

Contact: Nick Brown

Nicholas.M.Brown@FloridaDEP.gov

386-397-0921

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.