PARK RANGER - 37000880

Requisition No: 867828 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000880

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000880 

Salary:  $2,896.67 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 01/16/2026 

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PARK RANGER- 37000880

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

This position is located in Ocala, Florida

Closing Date: 01.16.2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard-working individual, with strong resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance experience to fill a Park Ranger position at Silver Springs State Park, located in Ocala Florida.

DUTIES AND 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 tours, walks and campfire program.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Implements ecological burning plan for fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, prescribed burning techniques and maintain fire lanes.  Implements vegetation and wildfire management plans; recognizes communities and maintains optimum species control via natural ad chemical means.  Reports and tracks wildlife sightings.  Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control. Implements water resource management plans. Observes, maintains, and protects natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources.

MAINTENANCE – Constructs, maintains and repairs small buildings, fences, trails, service roads fire lanes, boardwalks, campsites, picnic sites, boat ramp, docks and all other necessary facilities.  Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities.

ADMINISTRATION – Prepares forms and reports related to tracking work time, accidents, incidents, vehicle, boat and equipment operations, property records, p-cards, purchase orders/requisitions and maintain logs.  Operate radio equipment, personal computer, answers correspondence and maintains park files.

PROTECTION – Ensures Park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for enjoyment of the visitor.

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Florida’s natural and cultural resources, utilization of equipment required for the position; good public relations; basic arithmetic.

Skill in: cleaning park facilities including but not limited to cleaning trashcans, restrooms, portlets, lift stations, cabins, campsites, roadways, and picking up litter; operating & utilizing motor vehicles, including but not limited to UTV’s, ATV’s, pickup trucks, tractors; performing grounds and building inspection and maintenance which includes but is not limited to mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, painting, boardwalk and fence repair, utilizing shovels, rakes, loppers, machetes; using various hand tools and power tools for basic carpentry, use of chain saws; 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; communicating effectively and follow directions verbally and in writing; utilizing a computer, including but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office, accurately preparing reports and written responses; operating a cash register or POS system and reconciling receipts; interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner; public speaking; understanding and applying rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations.

Ability to: work independently with minimum supervision; participate in resource management tasks including but not limited to prescribed fire activities, non-native animal and plant removal, which may include application of herbicide; work outdoors in inclement weather; lift 40 pounds and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100 pounds or more;

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successful completion of Ranger Academy

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:

$2,896.67 month/$34,760.00 annually

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:

Silver Springs State Park

1425 N.E. 58th Avenue

Ocala, FL 34470

Located in the Central Florida city of Ocala, Silver Springs State Park is considered one of America’s largest and best loved springs. The parks’ main spring is surrounded by serene gardens and historic structures reminiscent of the days when Silver Springs was a major destination for Northerners arriving by steamship!

Click on the link to preview this beautiful park:  https://www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings

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.

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.

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.