OPS PARK RANGER - 37970959

Requisition No: 856921 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37970959

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37970959 

Salary:  $15 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 07/31/2025 

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OPS PARK RANGER-FIRST MATE (37970959)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Spring Hill, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

 An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hardworking individual to fill an OPS Park Ranger (First Mate) position at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.  The successful candidate will assist the Boat Captain with the safety and interpretation aspects of the Weeki Wachee River Boat Ride. 

The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position is up to 29 hours per week. 

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. 

SAFETY/MAINTENANCE- Control guests loading and unloading at the river boat. Control guest movements. Use lift device appropriately to assist guests needing this accommodation.  Ensure the dock/boat is safe and there are no loose boards or trip hazards.  Ensure that the boat dock and steps are not slippery.  Display appropriate safety signage.  Ensure child guards are in proper location and secure.  Ensure gates are open/closed during the day. Check that fire extinguishers are up to date and the correct number of fire extinguishers are on the boat.  Place/remove overboard life ring on boat.  Turn on/off waterfalls, fans and lift on dock.  Sweep and mop boats. Keep front walkway and dock area clean.  Remove cobwebs from dock and boats.  Place any trash (litter) found on dock/boat into the appropriate receptacle. Remove any trash found in water around dock.  Assist in maintaining dock garden.

VISITOR SERVICES – Narrates information during cruise.  Keeps up to date on park activities. Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions in an accurate and professional manner.  Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. 

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• good public relations
• safe boating procedures
• park activities

SKILL IN:

• communicating effectively verbally
• accurately preparing reports
• interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner

ABILITY TO:

• stand for extended periods of time
• follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
• speak in public
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations
• use park radios correctly and during emergencies
• prepare and use microphones for cruise narration
• safely control guest movements while waiting for boat ride and while loading and unloading
• use lift device appropriately
• conduct routine inspections, analyze and repair safety on boat and around boat dock.
• work outdoors in inclement weather
• perform physical labor
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• maintain a valid driver's license
• properly wear uniform
• comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions
• work 29 hours per week
• participate in Drug Consortium (random drug testing required by the Coast Guard.

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s license. 

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency

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:

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

6131 Commercial Way

Spring Hill, FL 34606

Approximately one hour north of Tampa, Weeki Wachee is perhaps the best-known symbol of the yesteryear of Florida tourism.   Iconic mermaids perform in pure aquamarine water that flows from a first-magnitude spring.  This Old Florida site is also home to the deepest freshwater cave system in the country

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 on 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.