Urgently Hiring Interpretive Park Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 879192 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37000615

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000615 

Salary:  $2,896.67/monthly $34,760.00/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 07/21/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Ranger (37000615)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Pool Requisition

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

This position is located in Chiefland, FL

Position Overview 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. In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department's Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.

VISITOR SERVICES - Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment, and education; meets visitors, answers questions, answers telephone, answers correspondence, provides information and directions. Collects fees, performs cash register transactions, and reconciles receipts. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and unit specific services as directed.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Observes, maintains, and protects the natural, cultural, historic, and archaeological resources of the park. Participates in vegetation and wildlife management plans; maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Implements site restoration projects. Participates in water resources management plans. Collects and records resource management data.

MAINTENANCE - Constructs, cleans, maintains, and repairs park grounds, facilities and equipment utilizing appropriate tools and equipment. Makes routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met.

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects. Operate park radio and various office equipment and maintains logs. Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures. Maintain park files.

PROTECTION - Performs routine patrols and takes appropriate action to ensure visitor safety and adherence to park rules; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Opens and/or secures park facilities as appropriate.

Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE IN:

Florida's natural and cultural resources

General methods and techniques used in the repair and/or maintenance of park facilities, equipment, and grounds

Basic math computations

Natural resource management techniques such as exotic species removal, prescribed fire, and plant community restoration

SKILLED 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

Using a variety of hand and power tools and equipment

Maintenance of facilities and grounds

The operation and use of various kinds of equipment including trucks and tractors

Utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

ABILITY TO:

Conduct inspections and maintain park facilities, equipment and grounds

Participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide

Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Identify and investigate problems

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Perform physical labor using assorted power/gas tools and equipment

Accurately prepare reports

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

Collect fees and operate cash registers

Understand and apply rules and regulations

Provide visitor assistance services

Conduct interpretive programs

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid Driver's License

Successfully complete Ranger Academy

Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays

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:

$2,896.67/monthly

$34,760.00/annually

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state's lead 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:

Manatee Springs State Park

11650 NW 115th St

Chiefland, FL 32626

Manatee Springs State Park proves boardwalks aren't only for the beach. The park's 800-foot boardwalk runs through a majestic cypress forest overlooking one of Florida's breathtaking first-magnitude springs.

People have enjoyed the cool waters of Manatee Springs for more than 10,000 years, from early Paleo Indians to modern park visitors. The first-magnitude spring releases an astounding 100 million gallons of water daily. This makes it a popular cooling-off spot and a great place to stroll on the park boardwalk and gaze into watery depths.

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 employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Tuition waivers;
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

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.

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.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.