PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000881

Requisition No: 871559 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000881

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000881 

Salary:  $3,176.43 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 03/20/2026 

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PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST-37000881

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

OPEN COMPETITIVE

This position is located in Ormond Beach, Florida

Closing Date: 03.20.2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard-working individual, to fill a Park Services Specialist position at Tomoka State Park located in Ormond Beach, Florida. Tomoka Basin State Parks include 5 unique parks, Addison Blockhouse, Bulow Creek, Bulow Plantation Ruins, Haw Creek State Park and Tomoka State Park.

This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining resource management activities and for establishing and maintaining good public relations and for carrying out a public information program, developing and coordinating private and governmental manpower and financial support systems, visitor service programs, and professional training programs for the park.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Participates in the planning and implementation of resource management activities, applying established techniques to manage, restore, and sustain natural communities. Assists in all aspects of prescribed fire operations and the control of invasive plant and animal species. Identifies biological communities and understands the ecological processes necessary for their long-term health and maintenance. Monitors, maintains, and protects the park’s natural, cultural, historic, and archaeological resources. Implement vegetation and wildlife management plans, utilizing both natural and chemical methods to maintain appropriate species balance. Carries out site restoration initiatives, including reforestation and erosion control projects, and supports the implementation of water resource management plans. Collects, documents, and maintains accurate resource management data to support planning and compliance efforts.

MAINTENANCE: Performs routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance on park structures, facilities, equipment, and grounds to ensure safe and efficient operations. Conducts regular inspections to verify maintenance standards are met and identifies needed repairs or improvements. Maintains the cleanliness and overall appearance of park grounds and facilities. Performs upkeep of trails, firebreaks, fences, gates, informational signage, and park roads to ensure visitor safety and accessibility. Ensures all resource management equipment, including fire trucks, boats, UTVs, sprayers, and other field equipment, is properly serviced, fully operational, and maintained in accordance with safety standards.

VISITOR SERVICES: Plans and implements community outreach initiatives to enhance public awareness and understanding of resource management and protection objectives. Serves as a representative of the park and the Florida Park Service in interactions with partner agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders. Provides accurate information regarding Park facilities, services, and recreational opportunities to promote public use, enjoyment, and education. Greet visitors, respond to inquiries, and offer clear directions and assistance in a professional and courteous manner. Addresses and works to resolve visitor concerns while fostering positive public relations. Designs and delivers educational and interpretive programs, including presentations, guided walks, and other outreach activities, to increase public appreciation of the park’s natural and cultural resources, as well as other unit-specific services as assigned.

ADMINISTRATION: Prepares and maintains a variety of administrative forms and reports related to visitation, vehicle usage, purchasing, and incident documentation. Operates office equipment, including telephones, park radio systems, computers, and other standard office technology. Performs purchasing and fiscal functions in accordance with established policies and procedures. Collects fees, processes cash register transactions, and reconciles receipts to ensure accurate financial accountability. Responds to correspondence, maintains organized park records and files, and ensures proper documentation retention. Plans, organizes, and facilitates in-service training programs to support staff development and meet operational needs.

PROTECTION: Conducts routine patrols and security inspections to ensure compliance with the Park Protection Plan and the safety of visitors, staff, and resources. Open and secures park facilities as required to maintain proper access and security. Interprets and enforces park rules and regulations related to the protection and use of natural and cultural resources and park facilities, promoting a safe and enjoyable visitor experience. Maintains accountability and security of assigned cash funds in accordance with established financial procedures.

OTHER: Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF: Florida ecosystems and resource management techniques required to manage/restore natural communities; Cultural resource preservation and restoration techniques; Good public relations; Effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques; Computer operations and related software.

SKILL IN: Communicating effectively verbally and in writing; Operating a cash register and reconciling receipts; Accurately preparing reports; Interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner; Performing grounds and building maintenance which includes but is not limited to mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, painting basic plumbing, basic electrical and basic carpentry; Utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chainsaws and drills; utilizing heavy equipment including tractors; utilizing GIS/GPS.

ABILITY TO: Participate in Resource Management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide; Clean park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms and picking up trash; Research, plan, and prepare educational, interpretive, and promotional materials and programs; Work independently with minimal supervision; Communicate effectively both in writing and verbally; Plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; Establish and maintain effective working relationship with others; Understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations; Conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems; Work outdoors in inclement weather; Perform physical labor; lift 40lbs and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100lbs or more.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successful completion of Annual Moderate pack test
• Successfully complete background and fingerprint checks 

Passing of moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment, and annually thereafter.  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.  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:

$3,176.43 monthly/ $38,117.16 yearly

 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:

Tomoka State Park

2099 N. Beach Street

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

Tomoka Basin State Parks which are Addison Blockhouse, Bulow Creek, Bulow Plantation Ruins, Haw Creek Preserve and Tomoka State Park include over 10,500 acres of natural and cultural resources. The natural resources are comprised of unique arrangements of pine flatwoods, maritime hammock and estuarine salt marshes. The cultural resources of these parks range from Native American mounds to early 1800s sugar plantations. The Tomoka Basin is popular for camping, canoeing, boating, and fishing.

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

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.

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.