PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020628

Requisition No: 870544 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020628

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020628 

Salary:  $3,176.43 monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 03/13/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

RESIDENT PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST- 37020628

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Pomona Park, FL

Anticipated Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

Closing Date: 03.13.2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

An opportunity is available for a positive, outgoing, self-motivated, hard-working, detail-oriented, versatile individual to fill a Resident Park Services Specialist position at Dunns Creek State Park in Pomona Park, Florida.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This Park Services Specialist is involved with all delegated aspects of park operations and management at Dunns’ Creek, including administration, maintenance, resource management, visitor services, and protection. This position is responsible for a large amount of the resource management that takes place at the park which consists of 6332 acres within 37 total burn zones of which 4,214 are “burnable” acres. Position serves on District 3’s Burn team.

Park Services Specialist also serves as coordinator of volunteers, interpretive programs, promotional efforts, and special events.

ADMINISTRATION- Develop and administer a comprehensive volunteer program, monitoring and defining park’s volunteer needs. Recruit, interview, train, place, and schedule volunteers. Maintain appropriate records, files, and databases to track volunteers’ hours and scheduling. Develop and maintain volunteer job descriptions, procedural manuals, volunteer records, and evaluations. Coordinate volunteer awards program. Conduct volunteer meetings, workshops, and volunteer orientation sessions. Develop schedules and coordinate timing and placing of interpretive programs and special events hosted by park and/or Friends of Dunns Creek. Actively promote statewide marketing ecotourism plans. Plan, organize and conduct in-service training to meet needs of park’s employees. Assist with creation/completion of wide range of forms and reports pertinent to park operations and information collection.

VISITOR SERVICES- Provide research planning, coordination and conduct interpretation of natural and cultural resources within park, including but not limited to guided walks, campfire programs, tours, recreation skills programs and special events. Research and write promotional and informational articles for media. Coordinate with Park Service webmaster to maintain current, accurate, and relevant information on park web pages. Generate public service announcements and press releases as needed. Design and maintain visitor information kiosks and exhibits. Develop and/or maintain digital photographic records and programs. Write and present speeches, talks, and programs to civic groups, business groups, school groups, park visitors, etc. Develop, set up, and attend park displays at fairs, environmental expos, etc. Actively work with school system to develop educational activities and programs. Promote use of Park by other community groups. Perform 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.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT- Participate in planning and conducting resource management activities by implementing resource management techniques required in managing and restoring natural communities, which includes but is not limited to natural, mechanical, chemical means as well as prescribed burning. Participate in execution of all facets of prescribed fire. Research history of this Division facility, both cultural and natural, and develop plans for restoration and implementation. Advise on preservation, restoration, and appearance of historical and archeological sites. Serve on District Burn Team.

MAINTENANCE- Maintain and repair buildings, fences, trails, picnic sites, docks and all other facilities. Maintain cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Operate a variety of equipment including chainsaws, lawn mowers, utility vehicles, motor vehicles hauling debris, fill, etc. Assist with assessing, planning, and implementation of maintaining and improving park operations and facilities.

PROTECTION- Coordinate training of staff and volunteers to promote safe work environment.  Maintain and conduct patrols of Park for security to gates, entrances, and facilities.  Responsible for cash fund security and bank deposits when necessary. Inform visitors of possible hazards. Enforce Park rules, regulations and other related guidelines in a courteous manner. Investigate and prepare forms and reports on safety and miscellaneous incidents.  Prevent accidents and injuries by timely reporting and correcting hazards.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Florida ecosystems and resource management techniques required to manage/restore natural communities; cultural resources preservation and restoration techniques; technical report writing; principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communications; good public relations; administrative principles and practices, methods of data collection; native and exotic plants.

Skill in: computer operation and applications; dealing with visitor inquiries in a tactful and courteous manner; multi-tasking; public speaking and program presentation.

Ability to: research; plan and oversee schedules; understand and apply regulations, policies, and procedures; develop and organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, proposals, and other written documents; utilize problem-solving techniques; work independently; assist in program planning; monitor, evaluate, and assess programs for effectiveness; prepare and maintain records; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; plan and prepare educational, interpretive and promotional materials and programs; follow verbal and written instructions/directions; perform physical labor; work outdoors; and work indoors

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Reside on Park Property
• Successful completion on annual moderate pack test

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

Where You Will Work:

Dunns Creek State Park

320 Sisco Road

Pomona Park, FL 32181

Located south of a sharp bend in the St. Johns River, more than 6,200 acres of natural communities are represented in Dunns Creek State Park.

These natural communities include sandhills covered with longleaf pines, wiregrass and sand pine scrub. These protect several endangered and threatened species such as gopher tortoise, fox squirrels and other native animals.

Click on the link to preview the park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/DunnsCreek

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_ER@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.

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.