OPS PARK ATTENDANT

Florida Department of Environmental Protection; United States; Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State group insurance

401(a) FICA Alternative Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

A state environmental agency is seeking a self-motivated OPS Park Attendant to provide visitor services and maintain park facilities. This role involves ensuring good visitor relations, performing maintenance tasks, and managing administration duties. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills, basic maintenance abilities, and a valid driver’s license. Shifts will include evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position offers opportunities for professional development within state environmental service.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Driver's License.
• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Experience in visitor services and administration.

Responsibilities

• Provide visitor services in a professional manner.
• Maintain park structures and cleanliness.
• Conduct routine inspections and maintenance tasks.
• Manage park administration tasks, including fee collection.

Skills

Visitor service

Administration skills

Basic arithmetic

Building maintenance

Effective communication

Public relations

Education

Valid Driver’s License

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Power tools

Job description

Overview

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information visit the E-Verify Website. This is a unique opportunity within the Florida Park Service for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an OPS Park Attendant position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. The applicant must possess good visitor service and administration skills and be able to work independently. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

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.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – 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, assists with maintenance and optimum species control via natural and chemical means.

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. Cleans restrooms and park areas as directed.

ADMINISTRATION – Prepares forms and reports. Answers the telephone, operates park radio, computer and various office equipment. Collects fees, operates cash register/point of sale system and reconciles receipts. Orders, sells and inventories resale merchandise.

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.

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/point of sale system 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 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 preparation 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 40lbs and assist in transporting items or other supplies 100lbs or more
• Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License
• Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays

Position of Special Trust

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP Directive 422, Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility. Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

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 advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. 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

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

4150 S. Suncoast Blvd.

Homosassa FL 34446

When Homosassa Springs was a popular train stop in the early 1900s, passengers could picnic and take a dip in the spring while train cars were being loaded up with cedar, crabs, fish and spring water. On a 1924 visit, Bruce Hoover of Chicago called it “the most beautiful river and springs in the world.” In this regard, Homosassa Springs hasn’t changed much. A unique underwater structure, the Underwater Observatory allows visitors to "walk underwater" beneath the spring\'s surface to watch the various fish and manatees swim about. The park also features a variety of captive animals such as alligators, black bears, red wolf, Key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The native wildlife that reside in the park serve as ambassadors for their species, providing visitors face-to-face connections with the animals and their habitats.

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 includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial).
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit the Benefits site.

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Special Notes

DEP is committed to recruiting and onboarding talented individuals into its workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance via the following email addresses:

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources Office at [phone]. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

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.