PARK Services Specialist - 37020357

Park Services Specialist

This position is located in Homosassa, FL. 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. Discover the wild side of Florida with endangered Florida panther, red wolf, manatee and whooping crane, plus black bear, bobcat and, of course, alligators.

This position is moderately independent work providing visitor services, resource management, maintenance, administration, and protection of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This position is assigned to the wildlife care operation of the Park. Performs routine maintenance, water quality standards and cleaning of the Manatee pools to meet Park and USDA Standards. Performs wildlife husbandry, preventative maintenance and basic repairs to wildlife exhibits and related equipment. Dives as required. Oversee park rangers and volunteers who work within the Wildlife department on proper procedures and policies working with and around wildlife. Conduct interpretive programs and evaluates and instructs employees and volunteers on interpretive program development and presentation. Perform visitor services by providing information to visitors, address visitor complaints about the Park operations, maintain good relations with park visitors, answer inquiries and answer phones. Uses a computer to perform fiscal and administrative duties. Compiles and records information and statistics regarding the captive animal collection including animal inventory databases. Take appropriate action to ensure visitor safety and adherence to Park rules and ensure adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Participates in exotic invasive plant removal and animal control as required. Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of park service management and operations
• Skill in communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• Skill in accurately preparing reports
• Skill in interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to plan, develop, coordinate and conduct interpretive programs
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments and develop schedules
• Ability to research topics, analyze data, prepare reports and records
• Ability to work with the public in a courteous manner
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Ability to provide visitor assistance services
• Ability to ensure visitor safety and adherence to Park rules
• Ability to ensure adherence to the Park Protection Plan
• Ability to perform routine maintenance, water quality standards and reports
• Ability to perform wildlife husbandry
• Ability to perform preventative maintenance and basic repairs to wildlife exhibits and related equipment
• Ability to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Successfully complete background and fingerprint check
• Successfully complete ranger academy
• Lift 50lbs consecutively

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Driver's License
• Ability to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Successfully complete Ranger Academy

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: $3,176.43/month $38,117.16/annually

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• 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
• Tuition waivers
• And more!

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

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its 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.

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.

Location: Homosassa, FL, US, 34446 Nearest Major Market: Inverness