PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37001306

Requisition No: 878939 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37001306

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001306 

Salary:  $3,500.00 monthly $42,000.00 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/16/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Services Specialist 37001306

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Closing Date: 10/16/2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Park Services Specialist 37001306

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is looking for a self-motivated, dedicated, and passionate park service professional to fill a vacant Park Services Specialist position in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. This Position Coordinates the park’s large volunteer program. Acts as liaison between volunteers and park administration. Monitors and defines suitable park volunteer needs and coordinates volunteer placement. Plans and conducts volunteer meetings, training, workshops, and orientation sessions.  Develops and maintains volunteer job descriptions, procedural manuals, and personnel records. Coordinates and creates the volunteer schedule. Tracks volunteer hours in VSYS, prepare appropriate reports, and coordinate awards programs.  Serves as a liaison between the park and the District Park Programs Development Specialist and the Education & Training Specialists.

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.  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.

This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining resource management activities at this park unit and for establishing and maintaining good public relations and for carrying out a public information program, developing and coordinating private and government manpower and financial support systems, visitor service programs, and professional training programs for the park.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Responsible for all wildlife monitoring and associated reports. Responsible for identification and removal of exotics. Be knowledgeable of natural resource activities such as prescribed burning plans for the fire type plant communities; recognizing natural communities, water monitoring, exotic removal, erosion control, timber management, wildlife monitoring and other related activities. Remains informed of the cultural resource management activities such as archaeological monitoring and obtaining historical information for the park archives. Monitors historic sites and objects for detrimental actions, and other related activities.

VISITOR SERVICES: Explains the facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meet visitors, answer questions, provide information, assistance and directions. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations and upholding the Florida Park Service image.

ADMINISTRATION: Oversees and assists with Ranger Station operations on weekends and holidays. Operates ORMS system, accurately collects, records, and reconciles revenue collected. Accurately and legibly completes all required forms on a wide range of subjects including receipts, visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sightings, safety and incident reports, and vehicle and radio equipment, and submits in a timely manner. Enters and submits flex schedule and work hours in People First system in a timely manner. Utilize the DEP email system to provide additional communication. Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally.

MAINTENANCE: Constructs, maintains, and repairs small buildings, fences, trails, service roads, bridges, pavilions, restrooms and all other necessary facilities. Responsible for park inspections and prioritizing needs. Maintain cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Ensure preventative maintenance is conducted and documented on all facilities, vehicles and equipment; Operates a variety of equipment including chainsaws, lawn mowers, tractors, power trimmers, blowers, utility vehicles, trailers and motor vehicles. Develops scope of work for repair projects.

PROTECTION: Maintains and conduct patrols of park and other park parcels for security to gates, entrances, equipment and facilities. Responsible for cash fund security, bank deposits when necessary. Inform visitors of possible hazards. Enforces park rules, regulations and other related guidelines in a courteous manner. Investigates and prepares forms and reports on safety and miscellaneous incidents. Prevents accidents and injuries by timely reporting and correction of hazards.

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
• The principles and techniques of the skilled building trades and mechanical repair work and of safety procedures required in maintenance and repair work

Skills in:

• Using tools and equipment in maintenance and repair work
• Use of various kinds of equipment including tractors
• Use of assorted power/gas tools and equipment to perform physical labor
• Maintain facilities and equipment
• Performing a variety of skilled trade functions
• Install, maintain and repair electric motors, generators, and other mechanical equipment
• Operating computers and related software

Ability to:

• Handle computer and cash register transactions and reconciliation of receipts;
• Prepare maintenance logs and related correspondence; research, plan and prepare educational, interpretive and Promotional materials and programs;
• Compile, organize and analyze data, programs and proposed projects;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with others;
• Work outside in harsh weather conditions;
• Travel which will include frequent overnight travel to other parks within the district

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience and education. You may be contacted to participate in an additional selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, and interviews. Support of knowledge, skills, and abilities should be demonstrated on the application, in the education, in the work experience, in the work sample, in the interview and/or during reference checks.

Pay:

$3,500.00 monthly $42,000.00 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:

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

7525 W. County Highway 30A

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is in Walton County. The Park consists of 1,638 acres to include 16 distinct upland and wetland natural community types on the narrow strip of land between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Park has 3.2 miles of pristine beach along the Gulf of Mexico and contains four coastal dune lakes entirely within the park boundaries. The Park is home to the largest campground in the Florida State Park system. Facilities include 156 campsites, 34 cabins, 22 tent campsites, 3 bathhouses, laundry facility, beach tram operation, 15 miles of trails, clubhouse, and amphitheater. The Park is a very popular spot for bicycling, beach combing, swimming, picnicking, canoeing, wildlife viewing and fishing. The Park has a large volunteer program. Resource management activities include prescribed fire and invasive plant removal.

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.