PARK RANGER - 37020218

Requisition No: 842333 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37020218

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020218 

Salary:  $33,760.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/17/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem. 

The Work You Will Do:

PARK RANGER 37020218 (non-resident)

SUPERVISOR

Chris Camargo, Park Manager, 772-219-1880

Seabranch Preserve State Park 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. 

The Difference You Will Make:

Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by all through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida. SM

How You Will Grow:

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:

SEABRANCH PRESERVE STATE PARK and ST. LUCIE INLET PRESERVE STATE PARK

4810 Southeast Cove Road

Stuart, Florida 34997

Ancient oceans shaped the physical landscape of this park, allowing a variety of habitats to develop over time.

Today, this preserve provides a unique opportunity to experience several different natural communities in a relatively short distance. In less than a mile, visitors can see rare sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods, a baygall community and a mangrove swamp. Hikers can explore these natural communities on 4 miles of trails.

A small picnic shelter is also available. Future recreational development is planned for this preserve, including the addition of interpretive displays and an elevated boardwalk.

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);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Pay:

$2,813.33 month/$33,760.00 annual

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422, F.S. is mandatory.  Persistent failure to comply with this section by an 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 will cover ranger duties at both St. Lucie Inlet and Seabranch Preserve State Parks. 

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 roving interpretation.

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.  Operates a variety of equipment including chainsaws, lawn mowers, tractors, ATVs, motor vehicles up to 2-ton class hauling debris, fill, etc., including attending appropriate training to securing valid certificates.  Maintains the physical ability to assist in transporting lumber, supplies, etc., equivalent to 50 pounds singly and 100 pounds jointly.  Travel to and from areas of the park only accessible by water

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Recognizes a variety of plant communities.  Implements ecological burn plan for fire type plant communities and maintains fire lanes.  Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans, recognizes native and non-native vegetation, maintains communities and maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means.  Implements water resources management plan.  Participate in nuisance exotic wildlife removal program.  Collects and records resource management data.

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, P-Card transactions, crisis and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle, boat and equipment operations, property records, purchase orders and requisitions, etc.  Answers telephone, operates radio equipment and maintains logs.

PROTECTION - Ensures park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor.

May volunteer to dive and/or snorkel.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

SKILL IN:

• operating trucks, tractors up to 2-ton level, mowers, chainsaws and standard power and manual tools

ABILITY TO:

• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• successfully complete ranger academy
• properly wear uniform
• comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• follow verbal and written instructions
• operate computers
• deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful, efficient and courteous manner
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• enforce rules and regulations
• handle money and balance cash receipts
• participate in all aspects of resource management, including physical and chemical exotic plant removal
• lift approximately 50 pounds and assist in transporting lumber and supplies weighing 100 pounds or more
• perform physical labor utilizing power/electrical/gas tools and equipment in maintenance and repair work
• prepare and keep accurate records
• conduct interpretive programs
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• safely operate boats of up to 30’ in length with outboard motor and canoes/kayaks, in all types of conditions on a daily basis
• swim and work on, in and under water
• maintain a valid driver license
• successfully complete Department’s watercraft operations training
• perform house and groundskeeping duties and apply maintenance trades
• successfully complete and maintain current certifications/trainings in:  Open Water SCUBA certification, First Aid, CPR, Emergency Oxygen Administration and Blood Borne Pathogen Training

Other Job Related Requirements for this position: 

• Valid driver license
• Successful completion of ranger academy
• Must be approved to SCUBA Dive in accordance with FDEP Diving Safety Manual, and DEP Underwater Manual
• Incumbent of this position will participate in the DEP Medical Monitoring Program for DEP divers

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT:

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.  

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable 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

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.