OPS PARK RANGER - 37970813

State of Florida; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A state environmental agency is seeking an OPS Park Ranger in Sarasota, FL. This position involves providing visitor services and administering park management duties. Candidates must have a valid driver's license and strong maintenance skills. The role offers a pay of $15 per hour with responsibilities including resource management, maintenance, and ensuring park safety.

Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts

Participation in state group insurance

Qualifications

• Must possess strong visitor service and administrative skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Physical ability to lift 40 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide visitor services and ensure park protection.
• Perform maintenance on park structures and facilities.
• Conduct administrative tasks including fee collection and report preparation.

Skills

Visitor service

Administration skills

Public relations

Effective communication

Maintenance skills

Education

Valid Driver’s license

Tools

Power tools

Computer (Microsoft Office Suite)

Job description

Requisition No:858726

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37970813

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number:37970813

Salary: $15 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 10/17/2025

Total Compensation Estimator

OPS PARK RANGER (37970813)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Sarasota, FL

Overview

This position at Myakka River State Park is a self-motivated park service professional role providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. The applicant must possess strong visitor service and administrative skills, be able to work independently, and perform a variety of skilled trade functions using assorted equipment and tools with emphasis on maintenance. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. This is a 40 hour per week position.

Duties and Responsibilities

General – Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422, F.S. is mandatory. Persistent failure to comply may be grounds for discharge. This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of Myakka River 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 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

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

Skills

• 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 mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, and painting
• utilizing power tools, including chain saws and drills
• basic plumbing, including repairing hose bibs, waterline repair
• basic electrical work, including replacing outlets and circuit breakers
• basic carpentry, including boardwalk and fence repairs
• utilize a computer including software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

Abilities

• participate in resource management tasks, including prescribed fire activities and non-native plant removal (which may include 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 restrooms and trash pickup
• 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
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• properly wear uniform
• adhere to grooming standards and body art restrictions
• work 40 hours per week

Minimum Qualifications

Valid Driver’s license.

Position of Special Trust Requirement

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.

Pay

$15 per hour

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.

Where You Will Work

Myakka River State Park

13208 State Road 72

Sarasota, FL 34241

The Myakka River flows through 58 square miles of one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks consisting of over 37,000 acres. Boating, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are popular activities on the water while hikers and bicyclists explore miles of trails and backroads.Myakka River State Park is located in mid-Sarasota County. This urban setting is located close to gulf beaches. Aside from the recreational opportunities, many cultural sites are within close distances.

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 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.Candidatesrequiring 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.