PARK RANGER - 37000922

Requisition No: 857308 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000922

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000922 

Salary:  $2,896.67 monthly/ $34,760 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 08/11/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

This position is located in Port St. Joe, FL

Closing Date: 08/11/2025

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

PARK RANGER 37000922

William J Rish Recreation Area is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a park ranger position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. The applicant must possess good visitor service and administrative skills, be able to work independently and have the ability to perform a variety of skilled trade functions using assorted equipment and tools. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays.

This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of William J Rish Recreation Area.

VISITOR SERVICES - Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions.  Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations.  Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via tours, walks, and campfire programs. Ensures all park facilities and programs meet all ADA Standards and Regulations.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Implements ecological burning plan for fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, utilizes control burning techniques and maintains fire lanes.  Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans; recognizes communities and maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means.  Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control.  Implements water resources management plans.

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

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including fees, receipts, visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sightings and population counts, accidents, crisis and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle, boat, and equipment operations, property records, purchase orders and requisitions, etc.  Answers telephone, operates radio equipment and maintains logs.  Answers correspondence and maintains park files.  Perform computer and cash register transactions and reconciliation of receipts.

PROTECTION - Interprets park rules pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor.  Opens park gates and entrance building.  Secures buildings and gates before departing at closing time.  Is responsible for cash fund security.  Informs visitors of possible hazards in unimproved areas.

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

·         carpentry

·         electrical repairs

·         mechanical repairs

·         general maintenance of facilities and equipment

·         resource management techniques

SKILL IN:

·         using various hand tools

·         small engines

·         power tools

·         operation of vehicles

ABILITY TO:

·         participate in all aspects of resource management

·         effectively communicate verbally and in writing

·         work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays

·         understand and apply rules, directives, laws, regulations and policies

·         conduct various environmental and cultural history interpretive programs and services

·         effectively work with others

·         learn two-way radio communication equipment

·         maintain a valid driver license

·         successfully complete Ranger Academy

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

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:

Base salary: $2,896.67 monthly/ $34,760 annually

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:

William J Rish Recreation Area (WJRRA) is located in Port St. Joe, in the community of Cape San Blas. This Recreation Area manages 100 acres of land on both the Gulf of America and on St. Joseph's Bay. This recreation area is designed and designated to serve those with disabilities. Currently WJRRA is open for day use and offers access to the beach, the bay and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The park will one day provide overnight amenities to include 8 accessible cabins. There will also be a fully operational concessionaire, a dock that will provide access to the bay for those with disabilities and other amenities. This is a chance to be a part of something exciting, a barrier free Florida State Park! There will also be opportunities for resource management and wildlife monitoring.

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.

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.