Ops Park Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 881950 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER - 37979228 1 1

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37979228 

Salary:  $15 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 08/25/2026 

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OPS PARK RANGER (37979228)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Thonotosassa, FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

 Hillsborough River State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a park ranger position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, and resource management. The applicant must possess good visitor service and administrative skills, be able to work independently and be able to perform a variety of skilled trade functions using assorted equipment and tools. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.  This position is 29 hours per week.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422, F.S. is mandatory. Persistent failure to comply with this section by any agency of the state shall constitute good cause for discharge of employees duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply. 

This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Natural Resource Management, Maintenance, and Administration of Hillsborough 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 programs and 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 - Maintain park structures, facilities, equipment, and grounds through routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance practices. Conduct 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. Collect 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 OF:

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

SKILL IN:

• 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 but is 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 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 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.
• properly wear uniform.
• comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions.
• work 29 hours per week.
• successfully complete background and fingerprint check 

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:

Hillsborough River State Park

15402 N. US 301

Thonotosassa, FL 33592

Opened in 1938 as one of Florida's first state parks, this park is divided by the swiftly flowing Hillsborough River.  Fort Foster, a replica of an 1837 fort from the Second Seminole War, is located on the park grounds adjacent to the river. 

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:

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.