Requisition No: 808883

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000556

Position Number: 37000556

Salary: $2,730.00 monthly

Posting Closing Date: 08/11/2023

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

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 – 37000556

An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard- working individual to fill a Park Ranger position at Silver Springs State Park located east of Ocala, Florida. Silver Springs resources include nearly 5,000 acres of unique plant and animal communities and many diverse recreational opportunities such as camping, picnicking, nature appreciation, canoeing and hiking on miles of trails and the beautiful scenic Silver River, contained entirely within the park boundary.

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:

Silver Springs State Park

1425 N.E. 58th Avenue

Ocala, FL 34470

Located in the Central Florida city of Ocala, Silver Springs State Park is considered one of America’s largest and best loved springs. The parks’ main spring is surrounded by serene gardens and historic structures reminiscent of the days when Silver Springs was a major destination for Northerners arriving by steamship!

Click on the link to preview this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings

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:

$2,730.00 month/$32,760.00 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

VISITOR SERVICES – Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, answers telephone, provides information and directions. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via tours, walks, and campfire program. Maintains visitor related records and follows procedures for fee collection and other visitor related activities.

MAINTENANCE – Constructs, maintains, and repairs buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, campsites, picnic sites, boat ramp, docks, and all other necessary facilities. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities.

ADMINISTRATION – Prepares forms and reports related to tracking work time, accidents, incidents, vehicle, boat, and equipment operations, property records, p-cards, purchase orders and requisitions, and maintains logs. Operate radio equipment, personal computer answers correspondence and maintains park files.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Implements ecological burning plan for fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, prescribed burning techniques and maintains fire lanes. Implements vegetation and wildfire management plans; recognizes communities and maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Reports and tracks wildlife sightings. Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control. Implements water resource management plans. Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire. Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park.

PROTECTION – Ensures park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for enjoyment of the visitor.

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: good public relations; basic arithmetic.

Skill in: operating & utilizing motor vehicles; using various hand tools, small engines, power tools.

Ability to: follow verbal and written instructions/directions; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; perform physical labor; operate radio equipment; perform cash register transactions; deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful and courteous manner; understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations; prepare reports; work independently with minimum supervision; participate in all aspects of resource management; work outdoors; lift 40 pounds; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; work rotating shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends; operate personal computers; maintain a valid driver’s license; successfully complete ranger academy; successfully complete background/fingerprint check.

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

Contact: Nicky Aiken, APM; 352-286-8283

Nicky.Aiken@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.

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.