OPS SAFETY SPECIALIST - 37970140

Requisition No: 874020 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS SAFETY SPECIALIST - 37970140

 Pay Plan: Seasonal

Position Number: 37970140 

Salary:  15.00 / Hour 

Posting Closing Date: 04/30/2026 

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OPS SAFETY SPECIALIST - 37970140

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

Closing Date: 04/30/2026

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an OPS SAFETY SPECIALIST position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration and resource management.  The applicant will be responsible for working in the recreation area, with a playground, picnic shelters, restrooms, fishing dock, and swimming area. The applicant must possess good visitor services, 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. 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

VISITOR SERVICES - 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. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via presentations, walks and other programs and unit specific services as directed.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT –. Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance. Observes, maintains, and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park.

MAINTENANCE - Maintains park structures, facilities, equipment and grounds through routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance practices. Conducts routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities.

 ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitation, vehicle usage, purchase requests and accidents. Answers telephone, operates park radio, computer and various office equipment. Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures.

PROTECTION - Performs routine patrols and security checks; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Open and/or secures park facilities as appropriate. Interprets and enforces park rules pertaining to all natural and cultural resources and facilities and use thereof for the safety and enjoyment of the visitor. Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

 KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Florida’s natural and cultural resources
• basic arithmetic
• good public relations

SKILL IN:

• communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• accurately preparing reports
• interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• performing grounds and building maintenance which includes

but is not limited to mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, and painting

• utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chain saws and drills

• basic plumbing, including but not limited to, repairing hose bibs, waterline repair
• basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets and circuit breakers

• basic carpentry, including but not limited to picnic table and fence repairs
• utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

ABILITY TO:

• follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• work independently with minimal supervision
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
• speak in public
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations

• conduct routine inspections, identify, and investigate problems
• clean park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms and picking up trash

• work outdoors in inclement weather
• perform physical labor
• lift 40 pounds and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100 pounds or more

• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• maintain a valid driver's license
• properly wear uniform
• comply with hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions

Minimum Qualifications:

 Candidate must have a 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Lifeguard Certification

Pay:

$15.00 per hour

24 hours per Week

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:

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

3540 Thomasville Rd.

Tallahassee, FL 32309

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park (1,184 acres) is located in Leon County within the city limits of Tallahassee with a recreation area, trail system and a 28-acre masterpiece of floral architecture.

The beautiful ornamental gardens were first planted in 1923 by Alfred B. and Louise Maclay after they purchased the property for their winter home. The gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, secret garden, reflection pool, walled garden, and hundreds of camellias and azaleas. Peak blooming season is from January 1 through April 30, with the floral peak in mid-to-late March.

Lake Hall provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Pavilions and grills along the lakeshore provide the perfect setting for a picnic. Two short nature trails meander through the woods overlooking the lake. Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians can enjoy six miles of shared-use trails and five miles of designated biking trails winding through the woods surrounding Lake Overstreet.

Click the attached link to learn more about this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/MaclayGardens

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 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.

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.