PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000583

Requisition No: 867827 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000583

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000583 

Salary:  $2,896.67 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 01/16/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST- 37000583

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Anticipated 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 Services Specialist position at Silver Springs State Park.

Silver Springs resources include some 5,000 acres of unique natural and cultural resources with many diverse recreational opportunities such as camping, picnicking, nature appreciation, canoeing and hiking. The park protects a large diversity of wildlife habitat and numerous endangered species. Silver Springs and its surrounding property is one of Florida’s most significant features.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective community related partnerships, resource management activities, visitor services and facility maintenance activities, establishing and maintaining good public relations while also creating public information programs, developing and coordinating private and governmental manpower support systems, visitor service programs, and professional training programs for the park, and assist with volunteer training and management.

ADMINISTRATION - Assists with revenue collection and reporting. Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitor use, visitor contacts, volunteer training and records, wildlife sighting and population counts, accidents and incidents, vehicle, boat, and equipment operations and maintenance, property records, various purchasing procedures.  Formulate, track budget and operating expenses involving interpretive and community outreach and volunteer needs.  Enters and submits flex schedule and work hours in People First in a timely manner.  Utilize the DEP email system to provide additional communication.  Operates personal computer and maintains logs.  Assist with recruiting, orientation, training and work assignments of volunteers.

VISITOR SERVICES - Performs Ranger Station duties including but not limited to registering campers, point of sale transactions, greets visitors, explains facilities and answers questions, answers phone, operates park radio. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Represents Silver Springs State Park and the Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations, disseminating information and promoting all opportunities provided by the park.  Coordinates Park staff and/or volunteers to provide presentations and/or attend local community organization meetings, special events, fairs and festivals to expand public understanding of the Florida Park Service and promote the park.  Maintains and updates visitor information kiosks and other printed park materials throughout the park.  Coordinate park-wide events which feature interpretive events, special events, tours, media events and volunteer workdays, along with appropriate permits.  Implement the park's communications plan which includes creating content for park website, newsletters, social media, graphics, presentations, magazine articles, press releases, public service announcements, building relationships with reporters, conducting radio, TV and written interviews, and create printed materials for diverse audiences.  Serves as the park's information officer during media events. Assists Park management in coordinating and overseeing the Citizen Support Organization for the park, especially in terms of interpretation, outreach and special events. Assists Park volunteer coordinator as needed.

Develops and coordinates a comprehensive Interpretive Services Program, including guided walks, nature talks, guided recreational activities, roving interpretation, curriculum-based programs, and community outreach programs. Evaluates existing interpretive programs to identify areas for improvement to more effectively promote natural and cultural resource stewardship. Coordinate staff and volunteer schedules to conduct interpretive programs on and off site as well as schedule private programs for diverse groups. Provide leadership through coaching and training of park staff and volunteers to develop, research and present original interpretive programs and non-personal displays and materials. Plan, develop, and write a variety of interpretive media, such as waysides, exhibits, self-guided tours, publications, social media, websites, articles, newsletters, and press releases to disseminate information about the park to the public, staff, and volunteers. Conceptualize and coordinate preparation of proposals and grant requests for interpretive project funding from partner agencies and grant sources if additional funding is desired for a project. Performs a wide variety of other interpretive and education-related tasks, as needed.

MAINTENANCE - Maintains Park structures, facilities, equipment and grounds through routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance practices in all areas including but not limited to plumbing, carpentry, and electrical. Conducts routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Maintain Park facilities, cabins, and campground by utilizing trained volunteers.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance. Participate in prescribed fire program and maintain fire lines. Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park. Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans, maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Implement site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control. Implement water resources management plans. Collects and records resource management data. Utilize the Volunteer and Host program to achieve Park’s resource management goals.

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 fund. Investigates and prepares forms and reports on safety and miscellaneous incidents Perform other duties as assigned.

Performs other related park duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Florida’s natural and cultural resources; basic prescribed/wildfire concepts required to manage/restore natural communities; cultural resource preservation and techniques; basic arithmetic; computers and related software.

Skill in: Producing photographs, power point presentations, operation of video projection equipment and computers; public speaking, writing, and program presentation, all aspects of a volunteer program including record-keeping, recruiting, orienting, training, planning and implementing work assignments; maintaining good public relations through effectively communicating in a professional, tactful and courteous manner both verbally and written; following verbal and written instructions/directions; operating a point of sale system, handling cash, and reconciling receipts; accurately preparing reports; operating a variety of motorized equipment; operation of computers and various software programs; compiling and managing data; public speaking; researching, planning and preparing educational programs and events; identifying potential community related partnerships, network with existing community partnerships, and grow beneficial relationships.

Ability to: Operate a two-way radio; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; perform physical labor and lift 40 pounds; participate in resource management practices, which include but not limited to prescribed fire, non-native plant removal, application of herbicide; clean park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms, picking up trash, facility repairs and groundskeeping; work outdoors with possible insects and other wildlife in inclement weather; provide good public relation techniques with internal and external customers; understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations; work independently with minimum supervision; travel occasionally, successfully meet DRP standards for uniform and appearance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successful completion of background/fingerprint check

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:

Base salary $3,176.43 monthly/ $38,117.16 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 park’s 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.

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.

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.