PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000623

Requisition No: 880350 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000623

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000623 

Salary:  $3,176.43 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 08/07/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST- 37000623

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

This position is located in Palatka, Florida

Closing Date: 08.07.2026

Position overview and Responsibilities: 

Ravine Gardens State Park seeks a positive, outgoing, creative, self-motivated park service professional to serve as Park Services Specialist, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. This position requires a high-energy, dedicated, innovative individual who is committed to protecting and interpreting Florida’s natural and cultural resources.

Incumbents must have experience in special event planning and execution, volunteer management, and public speaking.

Your Specific Responsibilities: 

This position is responsible for maintaining good public relations, for carrying out a public information program, developing and implementing a comprehensive volunteer program, organizing and implementing special events, visitor service programs, and professional training programs for the park and establishing and maintaining resource management activities.

Designs, organizes and implements volunteer recruitment and retention programs. Monitors and defines suitable park volunteer needs. Plans and conducts volunteer orientation and training sessions. Serves as the liaison between the park anj tile Citizen Support Organization.

Provides research planning, coordination and conducts the interpretation of the natural and cultural resources within the park, including environmental education programs, summer camps, guided walks, tours, and recreation skills programs. Organizes and implements large-scale special events.

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.

Provides research, development and coordination of a park information program. This includes the preparation of newspaper articles, public service announcements, photos and other materials to optimize public awareness of the park. Identifies broadcast and print media interests, cultivates positive media relations and promotes media coverage of the park.

Serves as liaison between park and District Park Programs Development Specialist and Education and Training Specialist.

Participates in planning and conducting resource management activities by implementing resource management techniques required to manage and restore natural communities.

Plans, organizes and conducts in-service training programs to meet the needs of the park's employees.

Performs related park duties as required.

Required Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF: Florida's natural and cultural resources; basic arithmetic; good public relations.

SKILL IN: communicating effectively verbally and in writing; accurately preparing reports; planning and implementation of interpretive and/or environmental education program and special events; recruiting and overseeing volunteers; marketing and outreach to include broadcast, print and social media: operating and utilizing motor vehicles; utilizing a computer include. but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite.

ABILITY TO: interact with ail internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner; participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide; follow verbal and written instructions/directions; work independently with minimal supervision; establish and maintain effective working relationships; speak in public; understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations; identify and investigate problems; work outdoors in inclement weather; perform physical labor; lift 40 pounds;  property wear uniform; comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successfully complete background and fingerprint checks 

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 annually

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:

 Ravine Gardens State Park  

1600 Twigg Street                                

Palatka, Florida 32177    

Incumbent will work primarily at Ravine Gardens State Park and will be afforded opportunities to work at sister parks: Dunns Creek State Park and Palatka to St. Augustine State Trail.

These three parks are located in Putnam County: Ravine Gardens is in Palatka and Dunns Creek in Pomona Park, while the 19-mile Palatka to St. Augustine Trail is a linear park through the countryside between East Palatka and St. Augustine. Each park is unique with its own character.

Click the attached links to learn more about these beautiful parks: 

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ravine-gardens-state-park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/DunnsCreek;

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/palatka-st-augustine-state-trail

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 transferrable 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@dep.state.fl.us

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.