PARK RANGER - 37001155

Requisition No: 847492 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37001155

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001155 

Salary:  $2,813.33 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 03/27/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Closing Date: 03.27.2025

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- 37001155 (2 positions available)

An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard-working team player, with strong resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance experience to fill a Park Ranger position at Sebastian Inlet State Park, located in Melbourne Beach. This is a full-service park; open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year affording an excellent opportunity for an ambitious person to work hard and at the same time learn all that the Park Service has to offer. 

Contact:  Douglas (Alex) Kinder, Assistant Park Manager

321.674.1867 or Douglas.Kinder@DEP.state.fl.us

The Difference You Will Make:

The Division of Recreation and Parks provides resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources. 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:

Sebastian Inlet State Park

9700 South A1A

Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

Sebastian Inlet State Park is a barrier island property located in the city of Melbourne Beach. It has been divided by the Sebastian Inlet for the past 100 years which allows the waters of the Indian River Lagoon to mix with the Atlantic Ocean. The park is inhabited by thousands of plant and animal species and surrounding nutrient-rich waters.

Click the attached link to learn more about this beautiful park:  https://www.floridastateparks.org/Sebastian-Inlet

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:

$2,813.33 month/ $33,760.08 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

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 presentations, walks, other programs, and unit specific services as directed

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire. 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.  Implements vegetation and wildfire management plans and maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means.  Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control.  Implements water resource management plans. Collects and records resource management data.

MAINTENANCE - Maintain 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.

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitation, vehicle usage, purchase requests, and  accidents. Answers telephone, operates park radio, computer and various office equipment.  Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures.  Collects fees, performs cash register transactions, and reconciles receipts.  Orders, sells, and inventories resale merchandise.   Answers correspondence and maintains park files.

PROTECTION – Performs routine patrols and security checks; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan.  Open and/or secure 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.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: good public relations; basic arithmetic; basic prescribed/wildfire concepts. 

Skill in operation and utilization of vehicles; using various hand tools, small engines, and power tools.

Ability to:  follow verbal and written instructions/directions; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; perform physical labor; operate radio equipment; perform cash register transactions; deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful and courteous manner; understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations; prepare reports; work independently with minimum supervision; participate in all aspects of resource management; work outdoors; lift 40 pounds; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; operate personal computers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Must successfully complete Ranger Academy
• Successfully complete background and fingerprint checks 

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: 

This position is a Position of Trust. 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@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.