New Job Park Ranger In Florida

Requisition No: 782041

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37001135

Position Number: 37001135

Salary: $2,600.00 monthly

Posting Closing Date: 11/29/2022

PARK RANGER

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 Ranger- 37001135

An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hard-working individual, to fill a Park Ranger position at Hontoon Island State Park. This island, located in the St. Johns River in Volusia County, welcomes visitors to enjoy nature and history in quiet solitude. The island is accessible only by private boat or park ferry.

Contact: Devin Whitney, Park Manager

386.736.5309 or [email protected]

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:

Hontoon Island State Park

2309 River Ridge Road

Deland, FL 32720

Welcome to Hontoon Island State Park, a true island located on the St. Johns River, southwest of DeLand. It is surrounded by waterways with the St. Johns River to the north and east, the Hontoon Dead River to the west and Snake Creek to the south. Recreational activities include hiking, biking, camping, paddling, fishing, picnicking and wildlife viewing. We have 8 miles of trails, with 6 miles that are bike friendly and the full 8 miles available for hiking/walking.

Click the attached link to learn more about this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/hontoon-island-state-park

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:

$2,600 monthly/$31,200 annually

Your Specific Responsibilities:

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. Registers’ campers, collects fees for day use and camping and takes reservations.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Implements ecological burning plan for fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, control burning techniques and maintain fire lanes. Implements vegetation and wildfire 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 resource management plans.

MAINTENANCE - Constructs, maintains, and repairs small buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, campsites, picnic sites, boat ramp, 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 sighting and population counts, accidents, crisis and miscellaneous incidents, vehicle, boat, and equipment operations, property records, etc. Answers multi-line telephone, operates radio equipment, personal computer and maintain logs. Answers correspondence and maintains park files.

PROTECTION - Ensures park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archaeological facilities and resources and use thereof for enjoyment of the visitor.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• navigational skills;
• safe boating operation;
• good public relations;
• basic arithmetic.

Skill in:

• utilizing and operating motor vehicles;
• power using various hand tools, small engines and tools.

Ability to:

• safely operate boats of up to 30’ in length with outboard motor and canoes/kayaks, in all types of conditions on a daily basis;
• follow verbal and written instructions/directions;
• communicate effectively, verbally and in writing;
• perform physical labor;
• operate radio equipment;
• perform cash register transactions;
• deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful and courteous manner;
• understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations;
• prepare reports;
• work independently with minimum supervision;
• participate in all aspects of resource management;
• work outdoors;
• lift 40 pounds;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• work rotating shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends;
• operate personal computers;
• maintain a valid driver’s license;
• work with reservation system;
• successfully complete ranger academy;
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A 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:

[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.