OPS RECEPTIONIST - 37979036

Requisition No: 864158 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS RECEPTIONIST - 37979036

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979036 

Salary:  $19.00/hour 

Posting Closing Date: 11/12/2025 

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Receptionist, Position #37979036

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Multiple positions may be filled with this posting

This position is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

• Receptionist
• This position will serve as the first contact for the visitors and volunteers as they enter the visitor center.
• The specific work unit in which the position is located in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection’s Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR).
• Overview of primary responsibilities:
  • Visitor Services: This position will serve as the first contact for the visitors and volunteers as they enter the GTMNERR Visitor Center. The candidate must be friendly, professional, courteous and efficient when working. Explains the reserve, resources, recreation, and programming available for public use, enjoyment, and education. Assists visitors, answers questions, and provides information and directions. Attempts to resolve visitor concerns while maintaining good public relations.
  • Interpretation: This position is familiar with the exhibit hall, the reserve system, the GTMNERR, and the flora and fauna of the GTMNERR. The candidate must be confident in interacting with visitors to provide guidance and interpretive information to visitors about the recreational trails, beaches and visitor center. Work with the administrative staff to maintain and improve upon materials for visitors. There are opportunities to develop brief interpretive programming as appropriate.
  • Administration: This position is required to conduct opening and closing procedures for the visitor center, be available to answer a multi-line phone system, and ensure that all customers are greeted when they enter the visitor center. Effectively answer and direct phone calls to the correct staff or take a message when staff are unavailable. This position will operate a point-of-sale system that charges for visitor center entry and parking passes. In addition to answering a multi-line phone system, this position must operate walkie talkies to communicate with rangers, personal computers, maintain visitation logs, and submit weekly time sheets. Additional functions include, but are not limited to, assisting with administrative tasks, preparation for programming and events, working with volunteers, data entry, and light cleaning of the visitor area (e.g., vacuuming and dusting).
  • Performs other related work as required.
• Working hours: Tuesday- Saturday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM; total hours in workweek will be 24-40 hours with flexibility.
• Leadership responsibilities (there are no staff that this position supervises; position will interact/train/lead volunteers).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to maintain a professional, team-oriented attitude
• Ability to provide excellent customer service skills
• Ability to maintain a professional personal appearance
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Ability to work weekends
• Ability to communicate with rangers using VHF radios (training provided)
• Ability to use proper phone etiquette
• Ability to research information quickly
• Ability to multi-task
• Basic computer skills including using Microsoft Office and is willing to learn different programs as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least one year of verifiable related experience in receptionist and/or visitor services. Post-secondary degrees may be used as an alternative for the required years of experience on a year-for-year basis. A credential evaluation report from an approved agency must be submitted along with all foreign degrees.

• Valid Driver’s License is required

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:

$19.00/hr. 

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:

Ponte Vedra Beach – Located on the scenic A1A, Ponte Vedra offers a blend of laid-back luxury and natural beauty. Spend the day on Ponte Vedra’s stunning white sand beaches and take advantage of nearby cultural and recreational opportunities. GTMNERR protects over 75,000 acres south of Jacksonville (Duval County) in St. Johns and Flagler counties on the northeast coast of Florida. It is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. These protected areas provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife. A species list recently compiled for the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve indicated the presence of at least 44 mammal, 358 bird, 41 reptile, 21 amphibian, 303 fish and 580 plant species.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

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.

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.