Requisition No: 792402

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000615

Position Number: 37000615

Salary: $2,600 Month; $31,200 Year

Posting Closing Date: 02/05/2023

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Anticipated Vacancy

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 (37000615)

MANATEE SPRINGS STATE PARK

Contact: Joleen Dudley

Joleen.Dudley@FloridaDEP.gov

352-493-6072

The Park Ranger position will focus on maintaining parks resources while providing the best visitor service experience possible. This will include facility maintenance, resource management (natural/cultural) and interpretation. This position will have a focus on safety and ability to perform administrative tasks.

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:

Manatee Springs State Park

11650 NW 115 Street

Chiefland, FL 32626

Manatee Springs State Park proves boardwalks aren’t only for the beach. The park's 800-foot boardwalk runs through a majestic cypress forest overlooking one of Florida’s breathtaking first-magnitude springs. True to its namesake, manatees can be seen in the cooler months, and birds, mammals and fish are spotted year-round. The park also offers 8.5 miles of nature trails and a safe connection to the 32-mile Nature Coast State Trail.

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:

$2,600 month/$31,200 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

DUTIES 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 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.

VISITOR SERVICES - Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, answers telephone, answers correspondence, provides information and directions. Collects fees, performs cash register transactions and reconciles receipts. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and unit specific services as directed.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park. Participates in vegetation and wildlife management plans; maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Implements site restoration projects. Participates in water resources management plans. Collects and records resource management data.

MAINTENANCE - Constructs, cleans, maintains, and repairs park grounds, facilities and equipment utilizing appropriate tools and equipment. Makes routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met.

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects. Operates park radio and various office equipment and maintains logs. Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures. Maintains park files.

PROTECTION - Performs routine patrols and takes appropriate action to ensure visitor safety and adherence to park rules; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Opens and/or secures park facilities as appropriate.

Other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Florida’s natural and cultural resources
• general methods and techniques used in the repair and/or maintenance of park facilities, equipment and grounds
• basic math computations
• natural resource management techniques such as exotic species removal, prescribed fire, and plant community restoration.

SKILL IN:

• communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• operating a cash register and reconciling receipts
• accurately preparing reports
• interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• using a variety of hand and power tools and equipment
• maintenance of facilities and grounds
• the operation and use of various kinds of equipment including trucks and tractors
• utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

ABILITY TO:

• conduct inspections and maintain park facilities, equipment and grounds
• participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• identify and investigate problems
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• perform physical labor using assorted power/gas tools and equipment
• accurately prepare reports
• 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
• collect fees and operate cash registers
• understand and apply rules and regulations
• provide visitor assistance services
• conduct interpretive programs
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• maintain a valid driver license
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• successfully complete ranger academy

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: This position is a Position of Trust. 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@dep.state.fl.us

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.