Requisition No: 795205

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37970975

Position Number: 37970975

Salary: $15 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 02/28/2023

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 (37970975)

Highlands Hammock State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an OPS Park Ranger position, providing resource management technician functions along with administrative and maintenance tasks. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. This is an OPS position that will schedule up to 40 hours per week.

Supervisor: Caleb Nail, Assistant Park Manager, 863-386-6099

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:

Highlands Hammock State Park

5931 Hammock Road

Sebring, FL 33872

Located in Highlands County, Highlands Hammock State Park has more rare and endemic species than any other Florida State Park. There is a unique and richly divergent collection of plant and animal life, including deer, alligators and a variety of birds. Camping is available and hiking is encouraged along nine trails, including an elevated boardwalk through a cypress swamp. At the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, visitors can experience the Great Depression and learn about the lives of the young men who build Florida’s eight CCC parks. The park has a significant number of New Deal era structures and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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 include:

Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*). For more information consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees

• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional information and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please visit 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 per hour

Your Specific Responsibilities:

DUTIES AND 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 of Highlands Hammock State Park.

VISITOR SERVICES - Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions in an accurate and professional manner. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via presentations, walks and other programs and unit specific services as directed.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire. Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance. Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park. Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans, maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control. Implements water resources management plans. Collects and records resource management data.

MAINTENANCE - Maintains park structures, facilities, equipment and grounds through routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance practices. Conducts routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities.

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitation, vehicle usage, purchase requests and accidents. Answers telephone, operates park radio, computer and various office equipment. Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures. Collects fees, performs cash register transactions and reconciles receipts. Orders, sells and inventories resale merchandise. Answers correspondence and maintains park files.

PROTECTION - Performs routine patrols and security checks; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Opens and/or secures park facilities as appropriate. Interprets and enforces park rules pertaining to all natural and cultural resources and facilities and use thereof for the safety and enjoyment of the visitor. Responsible for security of cash fund.

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Florida’s natural and cultural resources
• basic arithmetic
• good public relations

SKILL IN:

• communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• operating a cash register and reconciling receipts
• accurately preparing reports
• interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• performing grounds and building maintenance which includes but is not limited to mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, and painting
• utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chain saws and drills
• basic plumbing, including but not limited to, repairing hose bibs, waterline repair
• basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets and circuit breakers
• basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk and fence repairs
• utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

ABILITY TO:

• participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide
• follow verbal and written instructions/directions
• work independently with minimal supervision
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
• speak in public
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations
• conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems
• clean park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms and picking up trash
• work outdoors in inclement weather
• perform physical labor
• lift 40 pounds and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100 pounds or more
• work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• maintain a valid driver's license
• properly wear uniform
• comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions
• work 40 hours per week

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.