Park Ranger Jobs

Requisition No: 801633

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37020596 1

Position Number: 37020596

Salary: $2,600 month/$31,200 year

Posting Closing Date: 05/19/2023

PARK RANGER

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY TO BE CONSIDERED

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 RANGER (37020596)

Bryon Maxwell, Park Manager

[email protected]

(941)964-2965

Cayo Costa State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a park ranger position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. The applicant must possess good visitor service and administrative skills, be able to work independently and have the ability to perform a variety of skilled trade functions using assorted equipment and tools. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. The applicant must be able to operate motorized boats in all weather conditions

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:

Cayo Costa State Park

880 Belcher Road

Boca Grande, Florida 33921

Cayo Costa is best accessed from the areas of Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Pine Island. Cayo Costa State Park protects the Charlotte Harbor Estuary and provides visitors with a majestic piece of untouched Florida. The park is separated from the mainland by Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, and is only accessible by boat. The Park consists of 30 primitive campsites, 12 primitive cabins, and 9 miles of unspoiled shoreline for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, fishing, bird-watching and exploration along with several walking and bicycling trails.

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:

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• Tuition waivers;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• And more!
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Pay:

$2,600 month/$31,200 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of Cayo Costa State Park.

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 Cayo Costa 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:

• Operating a cash register and reconciling receipts
• Utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic plumbing, including but not limited to, repairing hose bibs, waterline repair
• 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
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• Interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• Basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets and circuit breakers
• Basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk and fence repairs
• Accurately preparing reports

ABILITY TO:

• Properly wear uniform
• Conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems
• Speak in public
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Successfully complete background & fingerprint check
• 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
• Clean park facilities, including but not limited to, cleaning restrooms and picking up trash
• Work outdoors in inclement weather
• Comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions
• Lift 40 pounds and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100 pounds or more
• Perform physical labor
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• Maintain a valid driver's license
• Successfully complete ranger academy
• Understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations

Minimum qualifications:

Valid Driver’s license.

Preferred criteria:

Ability to handle motorized watercraft up to 32 feet.

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:

[email protected]

[email protected]

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.