Requisition No: 826616

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000925

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000925

Salary: $3003.00 per month

Posting Closing Date: 05/14/2024

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Park Services Specialist

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

OPEN COMPETITIVE

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 (37000925)

FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK

Contact: Sasha Craft, Assistant Bureau Chief

Sasha.Craft@FloridaDEP.gov

An exciting and challenging opportunity awaits a self-motivated and active individual with strong interpretive and leadership skills to fill the position of Park Services Specialist at Florida Caverns State Park. The selected applicant will be required to coordinate and implement all facets of the park volunteer program, plan and coordinate the park’s interpretive program, assist park management with the planning of special events, assist the park manager in the operation of the park’s cave tour program.

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

3345 Caverns Rd

Marianna, FL 32446

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. Florida Caverns offers visitors a rarity in the state, a chance to explore stunning caves. While moving between the large underground rooms, one can observe the many chisel marks made by 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps workers. These hard-working men enlarged the cave passageways by hand so visitors could stand upright during the guided tours. They also built the park’s spacious visitor center.

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 $3,003.00 per month $36,036.00 annual

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.

Responsible for establishing and maintaining good public relations and for carrying out public information programs, developing and coordinating private and governmental manpower and financial support systems, visitor service and volunteer programs, and assists in park maintenance and resource management programs.

Develops and administers a comprehensive volunteer program, including campground hosts, local volunteers, and Citizen Support Organization members. Conducts all necessary activities and correspondence to maintain a volunteer program, such as recruitment, interviewing, placement, training, and recognition. Maintain volunteer records, files, database, and manpower augmentation reports in order to properly track the volunteer program and needs. Attends CSO meetings and serves as a representative for the park in these meetings.

Supervises the collection and reconciliation of all park fees, checks daily cash receipts, closes out registers, programs registers, prepares deposits and fiscal reports, and accounts for all revenue.

Addresses visitor complaints about the park operation. Maintains good relations with park visitors. Supervises and trains staff in visitor services; providing information, answering inquires, and answering phone.

Designs, researches, and develops park specific literature for public dissemination. Explains facilities and services provided for public use and attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations.

Ensures park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archeological facilities and resources and use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor. Ensures all aspects of park security and safety are maintained at all times.

Serves as liaison between the park and the District’s park programs personnel. Assist management with organization and resource management training programs to meet the needs of the park’s employees.

Prepares a wide variety of reports, forms and logs related to all aspects of park operations. Operates cash registers and reconciles receipts. Operates two-way radio equipment, computers, and other office equipment.

Provides research planning, coordination and conducts the interpretation of the natural and cultural resources within the park, including guided walks, campfire programs, guided tours, recreation skills programs and special events. Explains facilities and services provided for public use and attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations.

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.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Natural and cultural resource management techniques
• Technical report writing and effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques
• Computers and related software
• FPS volunteer and CSO policies and procedures

SKILL IN:

• Public speaking, writing and program presentation

ABILITY TO:

• Handle point of sale transactions and reconciliation of receipts
• Research, plan and prepare educational, interpretive and promotional materials and programs
• Work independently
• Plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Travel occasionally
• Work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Compile, organize and analyze data, programs and proposed projects
• Perform a variety of skilled trade functions and perform physical labor
• Enter developed and undeveloped caves for interpretive and resource management purposes

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver’s License

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_Recruitment@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.