OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Requisition No: 842789

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR - 37979236

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979236

Salary: $16.00 per hr

Posting Closing Date: 01/07/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPS Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

Closing date: 12.24.2024

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:

OPS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR -37979236

Part Time – 30 hours a week.

Do you want to be part of a proven winning team that makes a difference? An exciting opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard-working individual, with strong mechanical maintenance experience and heavy equipment operation skills to fill an OPS Heavy Equipment Operator position for the Florida Park Service at Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve in Haines City, Florida. This position is also part of the Lake Kissimmee State Park Team as Catfish Creek is a satellite park.

Contact: Andrea Hennry, APM; 863.696.1112

Andrea.Henry@Floridadep.gov

The Difference You Will Make:

Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by 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:

Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve

4335 Firetower Rd

Haines City, FL 33884

Located along the beautiful Lake Wales Ridge, Catfish Creek Preserve covers more than 8,000 acres of scrub, sandhill and flatwoods in addition to 65 acres of submerged land.

This Preserve is home to some of the oldest and tallest dry soils and one of the rarest natural communities in the state. The preserve offers 6 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of equestrian trails, a covered pavilion, fishing and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The preserve is home to numerous rare plants, such as the scrub morning glory, scrub plum, pygmy fringe tree and cutthroat grass, and several protected animal species including the Florida scrub-jay, bald eagles, gopher tortoises and Florida scrub lizards.

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

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*). For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

For a more benefits information, 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.

Pay:

$16.00 per hour; $17.00 per hr w/CDL

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position will work along with the Park Service Specialist and independently in the field in remote locations prepping fire lines throughout Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve. This position will operate large tractors such as John Deere and New Hollands, Catapiller: Skid Steers, excavators, and Bull Dozers; using implements such as Bush Hogs, batwing mowers, tree cutters, fecon heads, and Disks.

Incumbent will ensure proper operation of vehicles, equipment and tools. Cleans and services all vehicles, equipment and tools. Ensure repairs are made to equipment, either by a repair shop or in-house. Perform routine maintenance on all park equipment (oil changes, greasing, filter changes, etc.). Secures all tools, vehicles and equipment. Completes and submits monthly vehicle logs.

Performs other related duties as required including but not limited to completing daily routine (checking well and maintain, car counters, empty trashcans, etc.), maintaining visitor areas and trails, facility maintenance and assisting throughout Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve and Lake Kissimmee State Parks as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Microsoft Office programs and basic program troubleshooting
• The principals and techniques of the skilled mechanical repair work
• Safety procedures required in maintenance and repair work
• Protection and monitoring of Florida’s natural and cultural resources.

Skill in:

• communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• be able to fill in short reports and communicate effectively with internal emails and timesheets
• complete monthly vehicle logs
• operating heavy equipment
• interpreting resources and park policies to visitors

Ability to:

• work rotating shifts including nights, holidays and weekends
• follow verbal and written instructions
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• accurately prepare reports
• read and follow a map
• work in remote and isolated locations independently: perform physical labor with minimal supervision
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws, and regulations
• identify and investigate problems for equipment and repair them onsite
• operate and maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment
• drive a manual (stick shift) vehicle
• apply maintenance trades

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience and training in heavy equipment operations.
• Possession of CDL license

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 to answer questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@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.