OPS PARK RANGER - 37970605

Requisition No: 875187 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37970605

 Pay Plan: Seasonal

Position Number: 37970605 

Salary:  $15.00/hr 

Posting Closing Date: 05/13/2026 

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OPS Park Ranger (37970605)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Marianna, FL

CLOSING DATE:  05/13/2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is a unique opportunity within the Florida Park Service. An opportunity is available for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an OPS Park Ranger position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. The applicant must possess good maintenance skills, be able to work independently. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

VISITOR SERVICES – Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions in an accurate and professional manner. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance. Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park, assists with maintaining optimum species control via natural and chemical means.

MAINTENANCE – Maintains Park structures, facilities, equipment and grounds through routine, preventative, and corrective maintenance practices. Conduct routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Cleans restrooms and park areas as directed.

ADMINISTRATION – Prepares forms and reports. Answers the telephone, operates park radio, computer and various office equipment. Collects fees, operates cash register/point of sale system and reconciles receipts.

PROTECTION – Performs routine patrols and security checks; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Open and/or secures park facilities as appropriate. Interprets and enforces park rules pertaining to all natural and cultural resources and facilities and use thereof for the safety and enjoyment of the visitor. Responsible for security of cash funds.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Florida’s natural and cultural resources

Grounds keeping

Basic arithmetic

Good public relations

SKILL IN:

Communicating effectively verbally and in writing

Operating a cash register/point of sale system and reconciling receipts

Accurately preparing reports

Performing grounds and building maintenance which includes but not limited to mowing, string trimming, pressure washing, and painting

Interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner

Utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chain saws and drills

Basic plumbing, including but not limited to repairing hose bibs, waterline repair

Basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets and circuit breakers

Basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk and fence repairs

Utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

ABILITY TO:

Follow verbal and written instructions/directions.

Work independently with minimal supervision.

Operate a zero turn mower, gas powered string trimer, and blower.

Participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Speak in public.

Understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws, and regulations.

Conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems.

Clean Park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms and picking up trash.

Work outdoors in inclement weather.

Perform physical labor.

Lift 40lbs and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100lbs or more.

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays

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:

$15/hour

29 hours a week

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:

Florida Caverns State Park

3345 Caverns Road

Marianna, FL 32446

Cool air, the sound of dripping water, a visual array of mystifying stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and draperies, this is what greets visitors when they explore the other worldly depths of Florida Caverns. Florida Caverns offer visitors a rarity in the state, a chance to explore stunning caves. While moving between the large underground rooms, one can observe the many chisel marks made by 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps workers. These hard-working men enlarged the cave passageways by hand so visitors could stand upright during the guided tours. They also built the park’s spacious visitor center.

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.