PARK RANGER

Requisition No: 844764

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37001997

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37001997

Salary: agency to update

Posting Closing Date: 01/30/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Ranger

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

CLOSING DATE: 01/30/2025

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 (37001997)

TALLAHASSEE/ST. MARKS GEO PARKS

An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hard-working and well-organized

individual, with strong resource management, visitor services, protection,

administrative and maintenance experience to fill a unique “roving” Park Ranger

position at the Tallahassee/St Marks Geo. Parks. This position also supports park operations at the Tallahassee/St. Marks Geo Parks which includes: Econfina River State Park, Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, St. Marks River Preserve State Park, and the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail.

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:

The parks that make up the Tallahassee/St Marks Geo Parks are; Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, Lake Talquin State Park, Natural Bridge Historic Battlefield State Park, St Marks River Preserve State Park, San Marcos de Apalachee Historic State Park, Econfina River State Park, the Tallahassee to St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail. The Tallahassee/St. Marks Geo Parks grouping of parks offer and exciting cultural and natural resource experience to both the visitor and staff assigned to these unique areas. The office for this position is located inside the Tallahassee/St Marks Geo Parks Administration complex along the Tallahassee to St Marks Historic Railroad Trail in Wakulla Station, 1358 Old Woodville Rd. Crawfordville, FL 32327

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 $2,813.33 monthly / $33,760.00 annually

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 – Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, 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 programs.

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

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

ADMINISTRATION – Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including fees, receipts, visitors use, visitor contacts, patrols wildlife sightings and population counts, accidents, crisis and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle, boat, and equipment operations, property records, purchase orders and requisitions, etc. Answers telephone, operates radio equipment and maintains logs. Answer telephone reconciliation of receipts.

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

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Carpentry, electrical and mechanical repairs
• General maintenance of facilities and equipment
• Good public relations and ability to deal with people effectively
• Resource management techniques and ability to participate in all aspects of resource management
• Basic prescribed/wildfire concepts

SKILL IN:

• Using various hand tools
• Small engines
• Using power tools
• Operations of vehicles

ABILITY TO:

• Handle computer and cash register transactions and reconciliation of receipts
• Participate in all facets of resource management
• Communicate effectively verbally, and in writing
• Work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Understand and apply rules, directives, laws, regulations and policies
• Effectively work with others
• Identify and investigate problems
• Conduct various environmental and cultural history interpretive programs and services
• Learn two-way radio communication equipment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Required to complete ranger academy
• Must successfully meet position-specific DRP Burn Standards for Prescribed Fire

Other Job-Related Requirements for this position:

• Passing of moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment, and annually thereafter. Prior to being hired, applicant will be given a single opportunity to take and successfully complete a supervised moderate pack test at a date and location to be announced. Pack test requires applicant to complete a two mile walk while carrying 25 pounds in under 30 minutes.

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

Contact: James Schaeffer, Assistant Park Manager James.Schaeffer@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.