Tractor Operator Jobs in Sebring, FL (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 880899 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS TRACTOR OPERATOR- 37970117 1 1

Position Number: 37970117 

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

Posting Closing Date: 08/09/2026 

OPS Tractor Operator (37970117)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Sebring FL

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hardworking individual to fill a non-residential OPS Tractor Operator position at Highlands Hammock and Lake June in Winter Scrub Preserve State Parks. This position is 40 hours per week. The candidate will work days, evenings, nights as required.

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. 

Candidate would work 40 hours per week, operating the park's tractors to prepare burn zones for the prescribed fire program at both parks to include a JD 6170R, CAT skid steer with mulcher head and a JD 4320 tractor. Implements include bush-hog, bucket, forks, grappler, Brown's tree cutter, Tiller, Rome Disk, harrow, and Road Maintainer. The operator is expected to know the appropriate implements to achieve the desired goals environmentally while maintaining this equipment and tractors to a state of high readiness. The position would also be included to a lesser degree in park road repairs, tree removal, prescribed fire operations, and other tasks to assist park rangers in park projects. The operator is also expected to report equipment needs and make minor repairs to these pieces of equipment as needed with help from other staff to fix in-house where possible

 ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

The applicant would have the knowledge of how to achieve desired environmental goals in preparing prescribed burn zones in a variety of natural habitats to include upland scrub, mesic flatwoods, and floodplain wetlands. Avoiding mechanical problems while operating the three tractors and their assorted implements safely and effectively. Knowing what both a tractor and implement can and cannot do is essential on 11, 000 acres of two state parks. The applicant would work for hours at a time without direct supervision in remote areas of the park before returning with their equipment each day to the Shop Compound at the end of the workday.  Good operational judgement is required to maintain all park boundary lines on a quarterly basis to protect the park from internal or external wildfire threats. Prior experience in the operation and maintenance of all equipment and implements is preferable. An understanding of Florida's natural communities and prescribed burning is preferred to grasp why and how fire preparations need to be done effectively. Safe operation of other small engine equipment is also desired to include chainsaws, pole-saws, hand tools and other park vehicles.

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:

$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:

Highlands Hammock State Park

5931 Hammock Road

Sebring, FL 33872

Located in Highlands County, Highlands Hammock State Park has more rare and endemic species than any other Florida State Park.  There is a unique and richly divergent collection of plant and animal life, including deer, alligators and a variety of birds. Camping is available and hiking is encouraged along nine trails, including an elevated boardwalk through a cypress swamp. At the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, visitors can experience the Great Depression and learn about the lives of the young men who build Florida's eight CCC parks.  The park has a significant number of New Deal era structures and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for eligible OPS employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  

• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional information and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please visit  Social Security Alternative Plan (Corebridge.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.

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

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

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.