PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020281

Requisition No: 879892 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020281

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020281 

Salary:  $3,176.43 monthly $38, 117.16 yearly 

Posting Closing Date: 08/11/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST- 37020281

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Anticipated Vacancy

This position is located in Panama City Beach, FL

Closing Date: 08/11/2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Camp Helen State Park is looking for a self-motivated, dedicated, and passionate park service professional to fill a vacant Park Services Specialist position in Panama City Beach, Florida. This position serves as primary contact point for and maintains good relations with the public, volunteers, and all public/private partners & agencies involved in resource management at the park. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays. A 3 bedroom/2 bathroom residence is available.

Duties and Responsibilities 

In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department's Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position. Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422. F.S. is mandatory. Persistent failure to comply with this section by any agency of the state shall constitute good cause for discharge of employees duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply.

This position provides support for Camp Helen State Park and Eden Gardens State Park.

ADMINISTRATION- Prepares a wide variety of reports, forms and logs related to all aspects of park operations. Operates cash registers, point of sale system and reconciles receipts. Operates two-way radio equipment, computers, and other office equipment. Plans, organizes and conducts in-service training programs to meet the needs of the park's employees.

VISITOR SERVICES -Develops and administers comprehensive volunteer program, including campground hosts and other resident volunteers, local volunteers, and Citizen Support Organization Members. Conducts all necessary activities and correspondence to maintain volunteer program such as recruitment, interviewing, placement, training, and recognition of volunteers. Maintains volunteer records, files, and databases to properly track volunteer program and needs. Attends CSO meetings and serves as a representative for the park. Develops and presents guided walks, campfire, recreational skills and other park specific visitor service programs to park visitors. educational groups, and other citizen groups. Designs, researches, and develops park specific literature for public dissemination. Explains facilities and services provided for public use and attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Plans, coordinates and participates in all aspects of the park's specials events. Serves as liaison with vendors providing contractual services to the park and assists management with oversight of contracts within the park. Serves as liaison between the park and the District Parks Program Development Specialist. Assists Management with organization and training of park staff.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -Provides research, development and library of funding sources for the park via corporate/foundation and public support entities. Designs and implements public marketing relations program to encourage corporate/foundation and private support of the park. Prepares grant applications for park projects and possible funding sources. Gathers and maintains cultural resource files, artifact inventories, and coordinates and participates in appropriate preservation of natural and cultural resources. Implements ecological burning for fire type communities when and where available; recognizes communities and maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means.

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

PROTECTION-Ensures park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor. Ensures all aspects of park security and safety are maintained at all times.

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;
• Technical report writing;
• Effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques;
• Computers and related software;
• FPS volunteer and CSO policies and procedures.

Ability To:

• Use assorted power/gas tools and equipment to perform physical labor;
• Handle cash register and point of sale transactions and reconciliation of receipts.
• Research, plan and prepare educational, interpretive and promotional materials and programs
• Work independently
• Plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Travel occasionally
• Coordinate special events
• Compile. organize and analyze data, programs and proposed projects
• Perform a variety of skilled trade functions
• Learn two-way radio communications equipment
• Maintain a valid driver's license

 Skills In

• use office equipment and personal computers and related software programs; perform public speaking and program presentation;
• interact with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Valid Driver’s License
• Completion of Ranger Academy
• Successfully complete a background and fingerprint check

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:

Camp Helen State Park

23937 Panama City Beach Pkwy.

Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Camp Helen State Park is located in Bay County and is bordered by the Gulf of America  and by Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in Florida. This 180-acre park has a recreation area, trail system and prehistoric middens and mounds.

 Click the attached link to learn more about this beautiful park: 

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/camp-helen-state-park

Eden Gardens State Park

18 Eden Gardens Rd.

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Eden Gardens State Park is in Walton County.  The park consists of approximately 163 acres that was part of the Wesley homestead. Ornamental gardens sprinkle the grounds which primarily consist of camellias and azaleas. Picnic pavilions, restrooms, a 1-mile hiking trail, and one rental facility are also located at Eden Gardens. The Park is a very popular spot for weddings, Wesley house tours, picnicking, wildlife viewing and fishing.  Resource management activities include invasive/exotic plant removal and cultural resource facility maintenance.

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.