OPS PARK RANGER - 37970974 1

Requisition No: 859526 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37970974 1

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37970974 

Salary:  $15 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 09/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS Park Ranger (37970974)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Sebring FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Highlands Hammock State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an OPS Park Ranger position, providing resource management technician functions along with administrative and maintenance tasks. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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 is moderately independent work providing Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of Highlands Hammock State Park.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT –Primarily works to accomplish annual exotic plant management goals through survey and removal of non-native plant species by chemical and/or mechanical means.  Other resource management duties may include, but are not limited to, data collection and implementation of resource management objectives.

 MAINTENANCE – Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on all equipment and assigned vehicles daily.  Communicates equipment maintenance needs to management.

 ADMINISTRATION – Tracks daily progress on data sheets and enters into database.  This will include the accurate reporting of resource management data as well as hours worked, and tasks completed.

 OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge: Florida natural communities, including both native and exotic plants; land management techniques used to control invasive exotic species; the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical and natural sciences. 

Skills: Skill in the operation of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), MS office, and Adobe Software. Familiarity with tools and equipment used in natural resource survey (e.g. Avenza maps and other survey applications) and invasive plant control, including hand, power/ gas tools, herbicide sprayers, and all-wheel drive equipment.  

Abilities:  Ability to perform assigned field work despite excessive heat, cold, biting insects, and other adverse environmental conditions. Ability to carry heavy backpacks while traversing uneven terrain.  Ability to work as a team member or independently.  Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license. Ability to work rotating shifts. Abilty to satisfactorily complete background and fingerprint check.

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:

$15 per hour

Our Organization and Mission: 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s leading 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:

Highlands Hammock State Park

5931 Hammock Road

Sebring, FL 33872

Located in Highlands County, Highlands Hammock State Park has more rare and endemic species than any other Florida State Park.  There is a unique and richly divergent collection of plant and animal life, including deer, alligators and a variety of birds. Camping is available and hiking is encouraged along nine trails, including an elevated boardwalk through a cypress swamp. At the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, visitors can experience the Great Depression and learn about the lives of the young men who build Florida’s eight CCC parks.  The park has a significant number of New Deal era structures and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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 eligible OPS employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  

• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional information and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please visit  Social Security Alternative Plan (Corebridge.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.

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

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.