PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37001520

Requisition No: 849833 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37001520

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001520 

Salary:  agency to update 

Posting Closing Date: 05/14/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Service Specialist (37001520)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Closing Date: 05/14/2025

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 Service Specialist (37001520

STEPHEN FOSTER FOLK CULTURE CENTER STATE PARK

Contact: Debra Walker

Debra.L.Walker@FloridaDEP.gov

386-397-4466

This is a specialized professional position working in public relations marketing, advertising, sponsorship programs, grants, research, education, development and implementation of resource management, visitor services, interpretive and recreational programs and projects for Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park and Big Shoals Public Lands.

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:

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

11016 Lillian Saunders Drive

White Springs, FL 32096

Situated on the banks of the legendary Suwannee River, this center honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster, who wrote "Old Folks at Home," the song that made the river famous. The museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs, and his music can be heard emanating from the park's 97-bell carillon throughout the day.

Hiking, bicycling, canoeing and wildlife viewing are popular activities. Miles of trails wind through some of the most scenic areas of North Florida. Overnight visitors can stay in the full-facility campground or in a cabin.

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:

$3,093.09/month or $37,117.08/year

Your Specific Responsibilities:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 This is a specialized professional position working on the Special Event Team, planning and managing events of varying sizes and purposes. Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, work with established vendors as well as research and recruit new vendors, assist with CSO and other sponsorship programs, grants, research, education, development and implementation of resource management, visitor services, interpretive and recreational programs and projects for Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park and Big Shoals Public Lands.

ADMINISTRATION - Participates in employee training, supervision and discipline.  Supervises the staff in fiscal and purchasing procedures and policies.  Ensures property procedures and policies are applied.  Participates in the administration of the collective bargaining agreement and maintains good employee relations.  Coordinates work schedules and assignments.  Checks reports, fee collection and miscellaneous records prepared by the staff.

VISITOR SERVICES - Coordinates interpretive programs, activities and schedules for park unit.  Meets the public, interprets the resources, facilities and services, resolves problems and provides for good public relations. Provide visitor services. Assists in the setup and production of numerous special events including the Florida Folk Festival. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 This is a specialized professional position working in public relations marketing, advertising, sponsorship programs, grants, research, education, development and implementation of resource management, visitor services, interpretive and recreational programs and projects for Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park and Big Shoals Public Lands.

• Plans and coordinate park information program including news releases, articles, advertising, web sites and media relations.  Writes and edits text for park brochures and informational materials.  Answers correspondence and public information inquiries on topics related to the park’s programs, facilities and activities.  Maintain park photographic and image collection.  Represents the parks and the Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations, disseminating information and promoting all opportunities provided by the park.

• Designs and implements public marketing relation programs to encourage corporate and/or private support of the park.  Researches and identifies available public and private partnership programs having potential benefit for park operations.  Researches and identifies available grants having potential benefit for park operations; applies for and manages grants.

• Plans, organizes and conducts community outreach activities, special events and festivals to expand public understanding of the Florida Park Service and the park's management objectives. Provides research, designs and develops park specific literature for public dissemination, educational displays and exhibits.  Researches, develops, coordinates and conducts environmental education programs, interpretive programs, recreational skills programs and special events. 

• Researches the history of the park, both cultural and natural, and assists in developing plans for interpretation. Gathers and maintains cultural resource files, artifact inventories, and coordinates and participates in appropriate preservation of cultural resources.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• principles and techniques of marketing including advertising and promotions;
• principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communications;
• administrative principles and practices;
• methods of data collection and analysis;
• cultural resource preservation and restoration techniques;
• the principles, methods and techniques of training;
• good public relations techniques;
• the techniques of photography.

SKILL IN:

• working with volunteers; computer operation and applications.

ABILITY TO:

• plan, coordinate and oversee park marketing program;
• plan, coordinate and oversee park advertising program;
• plan, coordinate and oversee park grant program;
• plan, coordinate and oversee special events;
• coordinate and conduct meetings, information and orientation programs; effectively speak in public formats;
• effectively speak with media;
• evaluate and analyze data;
• prepare reports on a variety of programs;
• research topics and write articles and prepare environmental education and other information for dissemination;
• understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
• plan and oversee schedules;
• develop and organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, proposals and other written documents;
• utilize problem solving techniques; work independently;
• recruit and screen volunteers;
• monitor, evaluate, and assess programs for effectiveness;
• prepare and maintain records;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
•  work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays;
• maintain a valid driver's license;
• successfully complete a background check with fingerprinting.

Minimum Qualifications: 

·Valid driver’s license class E

·Successfully complete background check

 ·Work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays

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_ER@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.

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.