Requisition No: 827098

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000558

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000558

Salary: $3003.00 per month

Posting Closing Date: 04/25/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Anticipated Vacancy

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 Services Specialist 37000558 (residency required)

St. Andrews State Park
4607 State Park Lane

Panama City, FL 32408
Contact: Aaron Miller, Park Manager
850-708-6100
Aaron.D.Miller@FloridaDEP.gov

A challenging opportunity is available for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Services Specialist 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:

St. Andrews State Park is located in Panama City, Florida. With the Gulf of Mexico on one side and St. Andrews Bay on the other, visitors who crave swimming, snorkeling or surfing will be more than satisfied.

Besides boasting a mile-and-a-half of pristine beaches for fishing and swimming, St. Andrews also offers the chance for visitors to stroll through pines and along dunes and coastal plant communities or stay overnight in the campground.

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 $3,003 month/$36,036 annually

Volunteer Coordination Monitor and define suitable park volunteer needs and coordinates volunteer placement. Designs and organizes volunteer recruitment related to natural and cultural resource management programs. Monitors and defines suitable park volunteer needs related to resource management. Plans and conducts volunteer orientation and training sessions related to resource management. Develop and maintain volunteer job descriptions, procedural manuals, personnel records, and evaluations. Plan and oversee all volunteer schedules. Track volunteer hours prepare appropriate reports, and coordinate awards programs.

Visitor Services Plans, organize and conduct community outreach activities to expand public understanding of the Florida Park Service and the park’s management objectives. Represent St. Andrews State Park and the Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations, disseminating information and promoting all opportunities provided by the park. Conduct environmental education programs, interpretive programs, and services via guided walks, interpretive programs, and other presentations. Answers public inquiries and assists with visitors as needed. Attempt to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Demonstrate a teamwork ethic and treats park visitors and co-workers with respect.

Administration Completes time entry, data entry, a variety of monthly and quarterly reports as assigned and follows proper purchasing procedures and guidelines. Plans, organizes, and conducts in-service training programs to meet the needs of the park staff. Oversees and assists with Ranger Station operations on weekends and holidays. Accurately collects, records, and reconciles revenue collected. Accurately completes all required forms on a wide range of subjects including receipts, visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sightings, 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. Utilize the DEP email system to provide additional communication. Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally.

Resource Management Observes, maintains, and protects the natural and cultural resources of the parks. Participates in vegetative and wildlife management plans and activities, including non-native invasive species removal. Collects and records resource management data and submits related reports. Be knowledgeable of natural resource activities such as prescribed burning plan for the fire type plant communities; recognize communities, water monitoring, exotic removal, erosion control, wildlife monitoring and other related activities. Remain informed of the cultural resource management activities such as archaeological monitoring and obtaining historical information for the park archives. Monitor historic sites and objects for detrimental actions, and other related activities. Participates in prescribed fire program.

Maintenance Performs and assists in park Maintenance Sensitivity program. Plans and implements universal accessibility projects. Perform routine maintenance, cleanliness, and repairs to buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, and all other facilities as necessary. Notify management of repairs unable to complete. Demonstrate skill, proficiency and safety while operating numerous types of power, handheld, and heavy equipment. Operates a variety of park maintenance equipment including tractors, mowers, chain saws, boats, and various other skilled trade tools.

Protection Coordinate training of volunteers to promote a safe work environment. 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. Enforce Park rules, regulations, and other related guidelines in a courteous manner. Investigates and prepares forms and reports on safety and miscellaneous incidents. Prevent accidents and injuries by timely reporting and correction of hazards.

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.
• Technical report writing and effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques.
• Skill in producing photographs and slides.

Ability to:

• Research, plan and prepare educational, interpretive and promotional materials and programs.
• Compile, organize and analyze data, programs and proposed projects.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
• Coordinate special events.
• Reside on park property.
• Successfully complete background and fingerprint check.
• Successfully complete annual pack test
• Participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide.

Skill in:

• Public speaking, writing, and program presentation;
• Producing photographs and presentations.
• Researching, planning and preparing educational, interpretive and promotional materials and programs
• Performing a variety of skilled trades including plumbing, electrical and carpentry
• Maintaining grounds, facilities, and equipment

Required Requirements for this position:

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.