Invasive Plant Control Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 880287 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN - 37970342 1 1

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37970342 

Salary:  $16 - $18 per hour commensurate with experience 

Posting Closing Date: 08/07/2026 

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OPS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN (37970342)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Lithia, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

 A challenging opportunity is available for self-motivated, hardworking team players to fill anon-resident OPS Resource Management Technician positions to help Alafia River State Park restore their native ecosystems through integrated vegetarian management, including chemical and mechanical invasive plant removal, prescribed fire and re-vegetation.  This position is scheduled for 40 hours per week. 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.  Communicates equipment maintenance needs to management.

ADMINISTRATION:

Tracks daily progress on data sheets and enters into database. This will include accurate reporting of gross acreage covered, treated, treatment amount and type, hours, location, species, and species coverage.

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.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver's license. 

Pay:

$16-$18 per hour, commensurate with experience

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: 

 Alafia River State Park

14326 South County Road 39

Lithia, FL 33547

Standing out from the relatively flat topography of Central Florida is Alafia River State Park, a reclaimed phosphate mine with some of the most radical elevation changes in the state. This makes it a hot spot for mountain bikers who traverse the scenic and challenging International Mountain Bike Association trails.

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:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

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 (850) 245-2511. 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.