OPS EDUCATION AND TRAINING SPECIALIST - 37978019

Requisition No: 879755 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS EDUCATION AND TRAINING SPECIALIST - 37978019

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37978019 

Salary:  AGENCY TO UPDATE 

Posting Closing Date: 07/31/2026 

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[OPS Education Specialist]

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Naples, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Field Trip Specialist will:

• Lead activities associated with, but not limited to, the development and delivery of educational and interpretive programs at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Environmental Learning Center (ELC) and field locations.
• Coordinate field trips for 5th, 7th, and 10-12th grade students.
• Collaborate with Education and other Rookery Bay staff to design and deliver programs for students, adults, casual visitors, tour groups, community organizations, summer camps, and special events.
• Performs essential duties in emergencies such as hurricanes, storms, and/or any other emergency closing.
• Performs other related duties as required or directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, teachers, students and the public.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Effective customer service skills.
• Excellent communication (oral & written) skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of verifiable related experience in educating student audiences (grades K-12) in an outdoor education setting.  Post-secondary degrees may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Adept in public speaking, group facilitation, and program coordination.
• Knowledge of educational program development and ability to design and deliver high quality interpretive programs to a variety of audiences.
• Work independently as well as part of a team.

Pay:

$20.00 per hour

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:

Rookery Bay Research Reserve is located between the coastal towns of Naples and Marco Island in Collier County, Florida.

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.