PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020688

Requisition No: 862104 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020688

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020688 

Salary:  $3,176.43/month $38,117.16/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/10/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Services Specialist (37020688)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in White Springs, FL

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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 employee duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply.

VISITOR SERVICES - Plan, organize and conduct community outreach activities, special events and festivals to expand public understanding of the Florida Park Service and the park’s management objectives. Provide research, design, and develop park specific literature for public dissemination, educational displays, and exhibits. Research, develop, coordinate, and conduct environmental education programs, interpretive programs, recreational skills programs, and special events. Explain facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment, and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and direction and attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Represent the parks and the Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations, disseminating information and promoting all opportunities provided by the park. Answer correspondence and public information inquiries on topics related to the park’s programs, facilities and activities.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Observes, maintains, and protects the natural, cultural, historic, and archaeological resources of the park. Participates in ecological natural resource management of fire type plant communities and related activities. Collects and records resource management data. Research the history of the park, both cultural and natural, and assist in developing plans for interpretation. Gather and maintain cultural resource files, photos and images, artifact inventories and participate in appropriate preservation of cultural resources.

MAINTENANCE - Maintain 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 - Performs fiscal, purchasing, and budget tracking duties for park events and marketing activities. Maintains computerized budget reporting system for events. Provides related budget reports to Event Coordinator. Assists event coordinator in the planning and administration of event contracts, use agreements and permits. Assists Event Coordinator in all purchasing related activities including research, developing bids, bidding, initiation, and payment of purchase orders. Performs and directs data entry required to maintain event records. Maintains event archival and resource files. Develops management reports and summaries for use in making management decisions and planning park activities, services, and resource management. Collect and process fees and donations.

PROTECTION - Performs routine patrols and security checks; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Opens 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. Responsible for security of cash fund.

Other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Customer service techniques

Basic math computations

Ability to:

Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Understand, apply and enforce applicable rules, regulations, directives, policies and procedures

Prepare and maintain accurate reports

Develop and conduct interpretive programs

Comprehend and work with complex technical data

Work independently

Identify, investigate, and resolve problems

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Follow verbal and written instructions

Deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful, efficient and courteous manner

Handle money and balance cash receipts

Create and maintain budgets

Create and maintain databases

Operate various computer programs including all MS Office products

Work shifts including nights, holidays and weekends

Maintain a valid driver license

Successfully complete background and fingerprint check

Successfully complete Ranger Academy

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Completion of Ranger Academy

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:

$3,176.43/month

$38,117.16/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:

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

11016 Lillian Saunders Dr.

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. Every Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May), the park hosts the Florida Folk Festival. Other special events include concerts, weekend retreats, a regional quilt show, a holiday light display and an antique tractor show.

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.

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.