PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020695

Requisition No: 879581 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020695

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020695 

Salary:  $3176.43 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 07/29/2026 

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PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST (37020695)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Position is located in Okeechobee, FL

Open Competitive

Housing available- 3/2 mobile home

 Closing Date 07.29.2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

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 Service Specialist position at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park 25 miles northwest of Okeechobee, Florida.  This preserve protects the largest remaining stretch of Florida dry prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals. 

The park offers excellent seasonal birding opportunities and is home to the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow, as well as the Crested Caracara and Sand-Hill Crane.  Over 110 miles of dirt roads allow hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians to explore prairies, wetlands, and shady hammocks.  Ranger-led buggy tours take visitors to remote areas of the park. 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining resource management activities; for providing visitor education and services; for maintaining and improving operations and facilities; and for establishing and maintaining good public and volunteer relations.

Participates in planning and conducting of resource management activities by implementing resource management techniques required in managing and restoring natural communities, which includes but is not limited to participating in prescribed burning.

Assists with the assessing, planning and implementation of maintaining and improving park operations and facilities.

Provide research planning, coordination and conducts the interpretation of the natural and cultural resources within the park, including but not limited to guided walks, campfire programs, tours, recreation skills programs and special events.

Performs other related park duties as required including but not limited to visitor services such as checking in of campers. sale of merchandise, disseminate information, and provide assistance to campers.

Plans and conducts community outreach activities to expand public understanding of the Florida Park Service resource management and protection objectives. Represents the park and Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations, disseminating information and promoting outdoor recreational opportunities provided by the park.

Assists in designing and organizing volunteer recruitment for service programs and special events. Monitors and defines suitable park volunteer needs. Plans and conducts volunteer orientation and training sessions. Plans, organizes and conducts in-service training programs to meet the needs of the park's employees.

Researches the history of this facility, both cultural and natural, and develops plans for restoration and implementation. Advises on the preservation, restoration, and appearance of historical and archeological sites.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Florida ecosystems and resource management techniques required to manage and or restore natural communities; cultural resource preservation and restoration techniques; effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques; facility repairs and improvements.

Skilled in: carpentry to be able to carry out facility repairs and improvements and cultural resource preservation and restoration.

Ability to: participate in prescribed burning; research, plan, prepare and effectively present educational and interpretive programs; operate an airboat; tractors, ATVs and 4x4 vehicles operate personal computers: successfully meet position-specific DRP Burn Standards for Prescribed Fire

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Successfully complete background/fingerprint check
• Successfully complete Pack Test 

Passing of moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment, and annually thereafter complete light pack test.  Prior to being hired, applicants will be given a single opportunity to take and successfully complete a supervised moderate pack test at a date and location to be announced.  The pack test requires applicant to complete a two-mile walk while carrying 25 pounds in under 30 minutes. 

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:

$3176.43 Month/ $38,117.16 Annual

Our Organization and Mission: 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s leading 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:

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

33104 NW 192nd Avenue

Okeechobee, FL 34972

Located 25 miles northwest of Okeechobee, Florida, Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve protects the largest remaining stretch of Florida dry prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals.  

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is Florida’s first dark sky park. It’s a popular destination for stargazing and many other low-impact outdoor recreational activities. The park welcomed over 40,000 visitors last year.

Click the attached link to learn more about this beautiful park:  https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/kissimmee-prairie-preserve-state-park

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

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.