PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

Requisition No: 841411

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020405

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020405

Salary: $3,093.09 monthly

Posting Closing Date: 12/10/2024

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RESIDENT PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Job Vacancy

Open Competitive

Closing date: 12.10.2024

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:

Resident Park Services Specialist- 37020405

An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard-working team player, with strong resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance experience to fill a Park Service Specialist position at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park 25 miles northwest of Okeechobee, Florida. This preserve protects the largest remaining stretch of Florida dry prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals. The park offers excellent seasonal birding opportunities and is home to the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow, as well as the Crested Caracara and Sand-Hill Crane. Over 110 miles of dirt roads allow hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians to explore prairies, wetlands, and shady hammocks. Ranger-led buggy tours take visitors to remote areas of the park.

Contact: Andrea Henry, Assistant Park Manager; 863.696.1112

Andrea.Henry@FloridaDEP.gov

The Difference You Will Make:

This position represents the heart of the park. You will provide visitors with first-hand knowledge on every aspect of the park and what it offers to guests.

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:

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

33104 NW 192nd Avenue

Okeechobee, FL 34972

Located 25 miles northwest of Okeechobee, Florida, Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve protects the largest remaining stretch of Florida dry prairie, home to an array of endangered plants and animals.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is Florida’s first dark sky park. It’s a popular destination for stargazing and many other low-impact outdoor recreational activities. The park welcomed over 40,000 visitors last year.

Click the attached link to learn more about this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/kissimmee-prairie-preserve-state-park

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 $3,093.09 monthly/$37,117.08 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining resource management activities; for maintaining and improving park operations and facilities; for establishing and maintaining good public relations; for carrying out public information and visitor service programs; for carrying out professional training programs for the park.

Maintenance – Identify needs through daily checks. Maintain maintenance schedules and work needs lists. Oversee staff. Oversee and assist with the maintenance and repair of facilities, building, roads, bridges, trails, water systems, vehicles, equipment, etc. Ensure proper repairs are made. Maintain the park grounds. Follow all labels instructions on all chemicals etc. Clean and service all tools, vehicles, and equipment. Notify a supervisor when a piece of equipment needs repair or service. Construct, maintain, and repair buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, campsites, picnic area, picnic tables and all other park facilities and/or park equipment. Operate equipment and vehicles, such as power tools, chain saws, tractors, air boat, dump trucks, mowers, UTV’s and ATV’s. Ensure proper operation of vehicles, equipment and tools.

Resource Management – Participates in park’s exotic plant and animal removal program.

Participate in the park’s hydrological restoration program. Assist in various other restoration projects. Assist in maintaining the park’s fire lanes and fence lines. Complete all resource management related reports. Participate in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire.

Administration – Complete all required reports and assignments. Tracking of park inventories and making supply orders. Maintain tools and equipment inventories. Assist in maintaining property and sensitive items inventory. Proper purchasing of needed supplies and payments for repairs to park facilities and equipment.

Visitor Services – Greet visitors and give out information which includes running and operating the office and reservation systems.

Protection – Lock and secure all facilities, tools, vehicles, and equipment. Enforcement of park rules, regulations and laws. Provide emergency assistance when necessary.

Perform related work duties required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Florida ecosystems and resource management techniques required to manage/restore natural communities; the principals and techniques of the skilled building trades and mechanical repair work; safety procedures required in maintenance and repair work.

Skill in/to: safely operate hand tools, power equipment, ATV’s, utv’s, airboat, 4x4 trucks, tractors, and tractors implements.

Ability to: perform prescribed burning; compile, organize and analyze data, programs, and proposed projects; operate an airboat, tractors, and 4x4 vehicles; operate personal computer; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; follow verbal and written instructions; deal with people in a positive manner and maintain good public relations; work well with others;

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Must be able to reside on Park property: 3bd/2bth mobile home
• Successfully complete background/fingerprint check
• Passing moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment
• Medical Monitoring

This position requires a moderate pack test to be involved with fire management, you must be able to successfully complete a 2-mile walk carrying 25lbs under 30 minutes.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). 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.