PARK RANGER

Requisition No: 845420

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000919

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000919

Salary: agency to update

Posting Closing Date: 02/15/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Ranger

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Open Competitive

Closing Date 02/15/2025

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 (37000919)

Florida Caverns State Park

3345 Caverns Road

Marianna Florida 32446

Contact: Zachary Knerr, Park Manager II
850-573-7927
Zachary.knerr@floridadep.gov

A challenging opportunity is available for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Ranger position at St. Andrews State Park. This position requires strong visitor service, maintenance, administration, and resource management skills.

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:

Florida Caverns State Park is in Marinna Florida. Cool air, the sound of dripping water, a visual array of mystifying stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and draperies - this is what greets visitors when they explore the otherworldly depths of Florida Caverns.

With the Chipola River, Blue Spring, Campground and Tour Cave, Visitors will be immersed in a serene getaway where they can canoe, kayak, hike, bike, swim, fish or camp. Florida Caverns has activities for everyone!

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:

Base salary $2,730 month/$32,760 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Visitor Services - Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions in an accurate and professional manner. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via presentations, walks and other programs and unit specific services as directed.

Administration – Assists with Ranger Station operations daily. Operates PBS 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, safety and incident reports, vehicle 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 both in writing and verbally. Effectively and promptly submits Special Event Permits for all park events.

Resource Management- Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance. Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park. Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans,

maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control. Implements water resources management plans. Collects and records resource management data.

Maintenance - Maintains 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.

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.

Perform other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Florida ecosystems and resource management techniques required to manage and restore natural resources
• Basic arithmetic
• Good customer service

Ability to:

• Participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide

• Follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Complete tasks and projects using attention to details
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Speak in public
• Understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations

• Conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems
• 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

• Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• Maintain a valid driver's license
• Properly wear uniform
• Comply with grooming standards
• Successfully complete Ranger Academy

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
• Performing grounds and building maintenance which includes

but is not limited to mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, and painting

• Utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chain saws and drills

• Basic plumbing, including but not limited to, repairing hose bibs, replacing faucets, repairing toilet parts and fixing toilet leaks
• Waterline repair
• Basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets, circuit breakers, replacing cables on park equipment

• Basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk, picnic table, park benches and fence repairs
• Basic small engine maintenance, including but not limited to, checking golf cart battery terminals, replacing chainsaw blades and replacing weed-eater heads
• Utilize a computer including, but not limited to software

programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

• Perform camper registration procedures using department software
• Ability to develop program interpretation announcements using department software
• Complete on-line department trainings using department software

Working hours: 40 hours per week with rotating weekends and holidays

Minimum Qualifications:

Maintain a valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience working with volunteers, coordinating special events, and conduction interpretive programs

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.