PARK RANGER - 37002069

Requisition No: 860928 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37002069

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002069 

Salary:  $47,184.60 

Posting Closing Date: 09/21/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Ranger, Position #37002069

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

• Park Ranger
• This role is important for supporting resource management, visitor services, and maintenance of state resources.
• 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
  • Resource Management: Assist visitor education at reserve recreational areas regarding rules and regulations governing recreational fishing, boating, biking, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and other activities. Diligently see to the safety and security of the Recreational Areas, Environmental Education Center, shop compound, and all other infrastructure of the GTMNERR. Assists with land management /stewardship programs as needed. Assist with protection of natural communities and maintains optimum species control via mechanical, natural and chemical means. Aids in training and oversight of volunteers involved with various GTMNERR programs.
  • Visitor Services: Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education. Assists visitors, answers questions, and provides information and directions. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Administer visitor use surveys and assist with data collection on visitor use. Provide guidance and interpretive information to visitors at the GTMNERR recreational trails and beaches. Assist with visitor needs at the Environmental Education Center.
  • Maintenance: Conduct or oversee routine and emergency repair and maintenance of facility, equipment and grounds. Performs general maintenance duties as assigned, including some minor landscape maintenance duties.
  • Administration: Answers telephone operates radio equipment and personal computer, and maintain logs and time sheet. Answers correspondence and maintains assigned subject’s files. Submits reports and performs record-keeping on a wide range of subjects including emergencies and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle and equipment maintenance records, contractor’s service logs, etc.
  • Performs other related work as required.
  • Working hours: Daily from 7:30AM to 4:00PM; Total hours in workweek 40; Ability to work Monday thru Friday, weekends, and holidays.
• Leadership responsibilities (there are no staff that this position supervises; position will interact/train/lead volunteers).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of basic building maintenance and repair, light construction, and mechanic duties. Knowledge of natural science and State of Florida wildlife regulations. Ability to communicate professional and with courtesy with visitors regarding reserve recreational area, rules and regulations. Ability to perform hands on maintenance over a broad range of subject matter. Capability to operate vehicles, personal computers, basic field equipment, and power tools. Ability to work independently. Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and to establish positive working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least two years of verifiable related experience in resource management, visitor services, and/or maintenance. 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.
• Must complete CPR/First Aid Training and ATV Training within six months of employment and maintain thereafter.

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:

$47,184.60

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 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

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.

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.