OPS PARK RANGER

Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Fellsmere (FL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State group insurance

401(a) tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

A state environmental agency in Florida seeks an OPS Park Ranger to support resource management activities. Duties include managing invasive species, performing maintenance on park facilities, and ensuring visitor education and compliance with park regulations. The role requires strong communication skills, knowledge of Florida's ecosystems, and the ability to work in challenging conditions. Benefits available include state insurance and retirement plans, with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of both native and non-native plants.
• Ability to perform physical labor in adverse environments.
• Experience in maintaining and operating tools and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage invasive plant species through coordination and treatment.
• Perform maintenance on park facilities and equipment.
• Educate visitors on park services and natural resources.

Skills

Knowledge of Florida natural communities

Invasive plant control techniques

Effective communication

Heavy equipment operation

Education

Valid Driver’s license

Tools

GPS devices

Herbicide sprayers

All-wheel drive equipment

Job description

OPS PARK RANGER - 37971390

A challenging opportunity is available for self-motivated, hardworking team players to fill an on-resident OPS Resource Management Technician position to help St Sebastian River Preserve State Park restore their native ecosystems. This opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hardworking individual with strong resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance experience to work in Brevard and Indian River.

This position requires a person motivated to learn all aspects of prescribed fire and attend training to assist in implementing the preserves annual burn plan. Works to accomplish annual invasive plant management goals through mechanical and/or chemical means. This includes direct efforts as well as ongoing training and surveying to meet the demands of a constantly evolving workplace. May include other resource management activities. Communicates and coordinates treatments and surveys with park team. Stewardship responsibilities for all park operations as needed. Qualified applicants must be willing to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. Medical benefits are available.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

Works to accomplish annual invasive plant management goals by correctly identifying and removing non-native plants that are identified by the FISC as Category I and II and those identified by CISMA local Early Detection, through mechanical and/or chemical means. This includes direct efforts as well as ongoing training and surveying to meet the demands of a constantly evolving workplace. May include other resource management activities including restoration and prescribed burning. Communicates and coordinates treatments with park team.

MAINTENANCE:

Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on all equipment and assigned vehicles daily. 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 neat and orderly appearance and cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Communicates equipment maintenance needs to management.

ADMINISTRATION:

Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects equipment and maintains 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.

VISITOR SERVICES:

Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge: Florida natural communities, including both native and non-native plants; land management techniques used to control invasive species; basic equipment operation and safety; natural systems management; prescribed fire.

Skills: Familiarity with tools and equipment used in natural resource survey (e.g. GPS devices, Avenza maps and other survey applications) and invasive plant control, including hand, power/ gas tools, herbicide sprayers, all-wheel drive equipment, and tractors. Operating heavy equipment within its operational limits; strong trailering experience and skills with equipment maintenance and repair; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to: perform assigned field work despite excessive heat, cold, biting insects, and other adverse environmental conditions while walking across uneven terrain; differentiate between native plant species and invasive plant species; operate 4x4 trucks and ATV/UTVs in variable terrain; work as a team or independently; follow verbal and written instructions; read and follow a map; deal with others in a positive manner and maintain good public relations; work in remote and isolated locations independently: perform physical labor with minimal supervision; operate and maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s license
• Successful completion of background check

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s leading 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.

St. Sebastian River State Park is situated in Southern Brevard and Northern Indian River County. The park totals almost 22,000 acres protecting critical habitats of imperiled species. The park provides quality resource-based recreation, with over 60 miles of multi-use trail for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature study and access to more than ten miles of the St. Sebastian River and its tributaries for paddling, boating, and fishing.

Click on the link to preview this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/St-Sebastian

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 www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

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

Special Notes:

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable 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:

[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 (HR) 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.