PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020564

Requisition No: 884807 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020564

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020564 

Salary:  $42,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 10/16/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

#37020564 PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Stuart, Florida

Anticipated Vacancy

Position Overview 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.  In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of an 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 perform the duties of this position.

This position covers duties at St. Lucie Inlet and Seabranch Preserve State Parks.

ADMINISTRATION -   Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sightings and population counts, accidents, crisis and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle, boat and equipment operations, property records, etc.  Answers phones, operates radio equipment and maintains logs.  Assists management with purchasing, bids, work projects, requisitions, contracts, and other necessary administrative functions.  Prepares monthly reports.  Processes purchasing card transactions.  Identifies and applies for grants.    Acts as direct supervisor for the FLCC Project A.N.T. team members that are assigned to St. Lucie Preserve and Seabranch Preserve State Parks.  This includes management of the team members, setting treatment schedules, and providing direction and training to the team.  Serves as Volunteer Coordinator for the volunteer programs at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve and Seabranch Preserve State Parks, and recruits, trains and manages volunteers’ schedule.  Maintain and keep current trainings and filing requirements for the volunteer program, manage the VSYS system announcements and activity for both parks.

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.

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.  Acts as interpretive chairperson for St. Lucie Inlet Preserve and Seabranch Preserve State Parks.  Represents the parks and the Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations.  Disseminates information and promotes all opportunities provided by the park.  Provides, research, designs and develops park specific literature for public dissemination, educational displays, and exhibits.  Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services and conducts roving interpretation.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Participates in resource management activities, including but not limited to:  Prescribed fire, exotic plant removal, nuisance exotic animal removal and archaeological monitoring.  Assists Park Manager in the coordination of resource management projects and administrative tracking.  Conducts field surveys for wildlife, exotic plants and other native flora and fauna.  Assists with the tracking and mapping of resource management activities.  Identifies and applies for grants for resource management projects.

MAINTENANCE - Assists with facility maintenance including cleanliness and repair, assists field staff with tracking of facility and equipment maintenance.  Operates and maintains a variety of park equipment including ATVs, chainsaws, lawn mowers, motor vehicles, and various small engines and power tools as necessary.  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 accessible only by boat.         

Performs related work as required.

May volunteer to snorkel and/or dive.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• administrative principles and practices
• natural and cultural resource preservation and restoration techniques
• principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communications
• methods of data collection and analysis
• the principles, methods and techniques of training
• good public relation techniques

SKILL IN:

• recruiting, screening, training, and overseeing volunteers and FLCC Project A.N.T. team members
• operating and maintaining a variety of equipment
• computer operation and applications
• planning, coordinating and overseeing special events
• evaluating and analyzing data
• preparing reports on a variety of programs
• understanding and applying applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• planning and overseeing schedules
• operating a boat and kayak safely

ABILITY TO:

• successfully complete and maintain certifications/trainings in:  Open Water SCUBA certification, First Aid, CPR, Emergency Oxygen Administration and Blood Borne Pathogen Training
• effectively speak in public formats
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• develop and organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, proposals and other written documents
• utilize problem solving techniques
• perform physical labor
• work in the variable weather conditions that can be expected in Florida
• work independently
• coordinate and conduct meetings, information and orientation programs
• research topics and write articles and prepare environmental education and other information for dissemination
• monitor, evaluate and assess programs for effectiveness
• prepare and maintain records

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successfully complete ranger academy
• Must be approved to SCUBA Dive in accordance with FDEP Diving Safety Manual, and DEP Underwater Manual.  Must have prior approval and pass the FDEP training course to snorkel.
• 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 Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

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:

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

4810 Southeast Cove Road

Stuart, Florida 34997

#37020564 PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST (non-resident)

SUPERVISOR

Christopher Camargo, Park Manager, 772-219-1880

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);
• 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.