Requisition No: 797252

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37978013

Position Number: 37978013

Salary: $15.00 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 03/20/2023

OPS Park Ranger

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

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 PARK RANGER (37978013)

Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail

Contact: Randy Rabon, Assistant Park Manager

Randy.Rabon@FloridaDEP.gov

This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated, hardworking individual with strong leadership and communication skills to fill the position of OPS Park Ranger at the Tallahassee/St Marks Geo Parks. This position provides visitor service, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management at numerous parks in and around the Tallahassee, Florida area. The applicant must have the ability to perform varied tasks utilizing equipment and tools. The applicant must also be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, holidays, and weekends.

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:

Tallahassee/St. Marks Geo Parks

1358 Old Woodville Road

Crawfordville, Florida 32327

The Tallahassee/St. Marks Geo Parks consists of eight geographically separated state parks in and around the Tallahassee, Florida area. These parks allow the opportunity to participate in all facets of park operations including trail development and maintenance, prescribed fire, interpretive programming, facilities maintenance, and park protection. This position conducts activities within the parks to improve natural communities and provide resource-based recreational opportunities for visitors. The parks included in the Tallahassee/St. Marks Geo Parks are: Econfina River State Park, Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, Lake Talquin 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 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:

$15.00 per hour, 28 hours per week

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.

This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection at the Tallahassee/St. Marks Geo Parks.

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. Ensures all park facilities and programs meet all ADA Standards and Regulations. Coordinates public outreach and internal park events. Schedules, coordinates and implements interpretive programs.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Implements ecological burning plan for fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, utilizes control burning techniques and maintains fire lanes. Implements vegetation and wildlife 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, campsites, 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, visitor 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. Answers correspondence and maintains park files. Perform computer and cash register transactions and reconciliation of receipts.

PROTECTION - Interprets park rules pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor. Opens park gates and entrance building. Secures buildings and gates before departing at closing time. Is responsible for cash fund security. Informs visitors of possible hazards in unimproved areas.

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Basic carpentry, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing concepts
• Best practices for maintenance repairs
• General maintenance of facilities and equipment
• Resource management techniques

SKILL IN:

• Using various hand tools
• Operating various equipment such as ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts
• Using power tools
• Using lawn and landscaping tools
• Safe operation of vehicles and equipment

ABILITY TO:

• Participate in all facets of resource management including prescribed fire
• 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
• Maintain a valid driver license

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

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_Recruitment@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.