PARK RANGER - 37001135

Requisition No: 877004 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37001135

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001135 

Salary:  $2,896.67 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 06/17/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Ranger (37001135)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

This position is located in Orange City, FL

Closing date: 06.17.2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Blue Spring State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Ranger position, providing visitor services, maintenance, 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 perform a variety of skilled trade functions using assorted equipment and tools. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of Blue Spring State Park.

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.  Register campers, collect fees for day use and camping and take reservations.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Implements ecological burning plan for fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, control burning techniques, and maintain fire lanes.  Implements vegetation and wildfire management plans; recognizes communities and maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means.  Implement site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control.  Implements water resource management plans.

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

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including fees, receipts, visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sighting and population counts, accidents, crisis and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle, boat, and equipment operations, property records, etc.  Answers multi-line telephone, operates radio equipment, personal computer and maintain logs.  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 related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position: Knowledge of: navigational skills; safe boating operation; good public relations; basic arithmetic.  Skill in: utilizing and operating motor vehicles; using various hand tools, small engines and power tools.  Ability to:  safely operate boats of up to 30’ in length with outboard motor and canoes/kayaks, in all types of conditions on a daily basis; follow verbal and written instructions/directions; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; perform physical labor; operate radio equipment; perform cash register transactions; deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful and courteous manner; understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations; prepare reports; work independently with minimum supervision; participate in all aspects of resource management; work outdoors; lift 40 pounds; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; operate personal computers; work with reservation system

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Valid Driver’s License
• Successful completion of fingerprint/background check
• 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 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:

Blue Spring State Park

2100 W. French Avenue

Orange City, FL 32763

The largest spring on the St. Johns River, Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian manatees.  The clear 73-degree water in spring is enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers and certified scuba divers with a partner. 

Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted and strictly enforced. The park has several picnic areas and a hiking trail. Air conditioning and a full-facility campground are available.

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).
• Tuition waivers.
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

For a 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.

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.