PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37002435

Requisition No: 847490 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37002435

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002435 

Salary:  $37,117.08 

Posting Closing Date: 04/07/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Overlap Position

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. 

The Work You Will Do:

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST #37002435 (non-resident)

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Services Specialist position, providing visitor services, volunteer coordination, interpretive services, 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 manage a large and diverse volunteer program.  The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. 

SUPERVISOR

Andy Flanner, Park Manager, 561-624-6950

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. 

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:

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACH STATE PARK

10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive

North Palm Beach, Florida 33408

A unique mixture of coastal and tropical hammock and mangrove forest, this barrier island provides a haven for several rare or endangered native tropical and coastal plant species.  The park is home to one of the highest densities of sea turtle nesting in the state.  A nature center shows visitors why the park is a biological treasure.  Visitors can swim, picnic, and surf at the beach; snorkeling is also a popular activity.  Birdwatchers may see herons, brown pelicans, terns, sandpipers, and gulls.  Anglers can fish in the lagoon by wading or kayaking.  Additionally, visitors can fish from non-swimming areas of the beach.

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 $3,093.09 plus $95.33 Competitive Area Differential monthly/$37,117.08 annually

Your Specific 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.

ADMINISTRATION

Serves as park Volunteer Coordinator.  Recruit, interview, place, manage and train volunteers.  Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Nature Center facility, personnel and its programs.  Lead school groups for the park education programs.  Prepare reports as necessary, including visitor use, visitor contacts, interpretive programs, wildlife sightings, population counts and volunteer hours.  Answer telephone, operate computers, copy machines, scanner and fax machine.  Answer correspondence and maintain park files.  Assist in the operation of revenue generating activities.  Monitor visitation trends and make recommendations to management.  Administer the public information program of the park, including press releases and newsletters.  Keep track of expenditures for various programs for the park.  Prepare nominations for various awards for the Volunteer Program, Park Citizen Support Organization (CSO) and other park programs as necessary or as directed.  Acts as Park’s Marketing Liaison.  Oversee online volunteer management system.  Lead training for volunteers and staff for Turtle Walks, Nature Walks and Education Programs.

VISITOR SERVICES

Plan, research, coordinate, facilitate and lead environmental education programs, including program design, scheduling and publicity.  Serves as park Interpretive Chairperson.  Coordinate the development of and update current interpretive and outreach programs.  Participate in public speaking engagements.  Oversee and participate in the planning and coordination of special programs and events.  Assist in keeping the Park’s web page and interpretive signage up to date when needed.  Assist in researching and executing best practices of education and interpretive programs.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Participate in planning and conducting resource management activities.  Oversee/conduct field data collection for park resource inventories.  Assess user impact on park resources and develop plans to reduce as necessary.  Research cultural and natural history; develop plans for restoration, implementation and interpretation.  Collect and maintain cultural resource files, artifact inventories, and coordinate and participate in appropriate preservation of cultural and natural resources.

PROTECTION

Ensures park rules and regulations are enforced pertaining to all natural and cultural facilities and resources and the use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor.  Ensures park interpretive facilities, displays and exhibits and equipment utilized are free of safety hazards.

MAINTENANCE

Assist with the upkeep of aquariums and live exhibits.  Maintain cleanliness of interpretive exhibits, displays, facilities and equipment.  Conduct minor maintenance and repairs to park facilities and equipment.

May volunteer to snorkel.

Perform related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• flora and fauna, natural communities, and ecosystem functions in coastal southeast Florida
• the principles of teaching and training

SKILL IN:

• use of scanners, point of sale software, and other standard office equipment
• producing slides, graphic displays and photos
• researching and writing financial, educational, promotional and interpretive materials
• the recruitment, training and placement of volunteers
• working with and leading school students from a variety of grade levels and teachers

ABILITY TO:

• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• successfully complete ranger academy
• manage a large and diverse volunteer program
• lead school groups of up to 50 students
• work with computers, with a preference toward Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook,
• design, organize, and schedule a variety of interpretive programs and special events
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, other agencies and the public
• operate park vehicles including UTVs, pickup trucks, gold carts and multi passenger trams
• swim and work on, in and under water
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• maintain a valid driver license

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid driver license
• Must have prior approval and pass DEP approved training course to snorkel
• 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_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

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.