PARK RANGER

Requisition No: 849008

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37002044

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37002044

Salary: $2,813.33 monthly

Posting Closing Date: 03/31/2025

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Park Ranger

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

CLOSING DATE: 03/31/2025

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 RANGER (37002044)

EDWARD BALL WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK

An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hardworking individual to fill the position of Park Ranger at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Flexibility and a high level of commitment are required for this position. Professionalism and the ability to perform as part of a close-knit team are essential attributes for any applicant to this position.

SUPERVISOR

Lance Kelly, Park Manager

Lance.Kelly@FloridaDEP.gov

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.

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:

EDWARD BALL WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK

465 Wakulla Park Drive

Crawfordville, Florida, 32327

Home to one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, the sapphire water of Wakulla Springs boasts manatees, alligators and a host of diverse wildlife that can be viewed from a riverboat or the diving platform. Visitors can also marvel at a 1930s Spanish style lodge with its period furniture, original elevator and colorful painted ceilings that depict wildlife and Old Florida scenes.

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:

$2,813.33 / month, $33,760 / year

Your Specific 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.

VISITOR SERVICES – Represents Wakulla Springs and the Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations, disseminating information and promoting all opportunities provided by the park. Conducts environmental education programs, interpretive programs, and services via boat tours, guided walks, evening programs, and other presentations. Complies with scheduled tour times and boat assignments. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Implements emergency program procedures. Demonstrates a teamwork ethic and treats park visitors and co-workers with respect.

ADMINISTRATION – Operates point of sale system, accurately collects, records, and reconciles revenue collected. Accurately and legibly completes all required forms on a wide range of subjects including receipts, visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sightings, safety and incident reports, vehicle boat and radio equipment and submits in a timely manner. Enters and submits flex schedule and work hours in People First system in a timely manner. Utilizes the DEP email system to provide additional communication. Communicates effectively in writing and verbally.

MAINTENANCE – Provide effective routine, preventative and corrective maintenance and paint worn areas on a proactive basis with assigned Boat. Reports PM maintenance when due. Keeps assigned boat clean and orderly. Performs routine maintenance, cleaning, and repairs to buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, docks and all other facilities as necessary. Completes and submits work orders for repairs unable to complete. Demonstrates skill, proficiency and safety while operating numerous types of power, handheld and heavy equipment.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Be knowledgeable of natural resource activities such as prescribed burning plan for the fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, water monitoring, exotic removal, erosion control, timber management, upland and aquatic plant restoration, wildlife monitoring and other related activities. Remain informed of the cultural resource management activities such as archaeological monitoring, cultural landscapes, and obtaining historical information for the park archives. Monitor historic facilities and objects for detrimental actions, and other related activities.

PROTECTION - Maintain and conduct patrols of park and other park parcels for security to gates, entrances, equipment and facilities. Responsible for cash fund security, bank deposits when necessary. Inform visitors of possible hazards. Implements emergency program procedures. Enforce park rules, regulations and other related guidelines in a courteous manner. Investigates and prepares forms and reports on safety and miscellaneous incidents. Prevents accidents and injuries by timely reporting and correction of hazards.

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Carpentry, electrical and mechanical repairs and general maintenance of facilities and equipment

SKILL IN:

• Using various hand tools, small engines, power tools and operations of vehicles.

ABILITY TO:

• Handle computer and cash register transactions and reconciliation of receipts.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Understand and apply rules, directives, laws, regulations and policies
• Conduct various environmental and cultural history interpretive programs and services
• Effectively work with others
• Learn two-way radio communication equipment
• Operate department equipment, vehicles and vessels
• Successfully complete Ranger Academy

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver 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_ER@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.