PARK Services Specialist - 37001310

Park Services Specialist - 37001310

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.

This position is located in Fort Pierce, Florida. Fort Pierce Inlet is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Services 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 have the ability 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.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position will deal primarily with Fort Pierce Inlet State Park; however, the responsibilities will also include Jack Island Preserve State Park and Avalon State Park.

Administration

Serves as park Volunteer Coordinator. Recruit, interview, place, manage and train volunteers. Lead school groups for the park education programs. Prepare reports as necessary including visitor use, visitor contacts, interpretive programs, wildlife sightings, population counts and volunteer hours. Answer telephone, operate computers, copy machines, scanner and fax machine. Answer correspondence and maintain park files. Assist in the operation of revenue generating activities. Monitor visitation trends and make recommendations to management. Administer the public information program of the park, including press releases and newsletters. Keep track of expenditures for various programs for the park. Prepare nominations for various awards for the Volunteer Program, Park Citizen Support Organization (CSO) and other park programs as necessary or as directed. Acts as Park's Marketing Liaison. Oversee online volunteer management system. Lead training for volunteers and staff for Turtle Walks, Nature Walks and Education Programs.

Visitor Services

Plan, research, coordinate, and lead environmental education programs, including program design, scheduling and publicity. Serves as Park Interpretive Chairperson. Coordinate the development of and update current interpretive and outreach programs. Participate in public speaking engagements. Oversee and participate in the planning and coordination of special programs and events. Assist in keeping the Park's web page and interpretive signage up to date when needed. Assist in researching and executing best practices of education and interpretive programs.

Resource Management

Participate in planning and conducting resource management activities. Oversee/conduct field data collection of park resource inventories. Assess user impact on park resources and develop plans to reduce as necessary. Research cultural and natural resource history; develop plans for restoration, implementation and interpretation. Collect and maintain cultural resource files, artifact inventories, and coordinate and participate in appropriate preservation of cultural and natural resources.

Protection

Ensures park rules and regulations are enforced pertaining to all natural and cultural facilities and resources and the use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor. Ensures park interpretive facilities, displays and exhibits and equipment utilized are free of safety hazards.

Maintenance

Maintain cleanliness of interpretive exhibits, displays, facilities and equipment. Conduct minor maintenance and repairs to park facilities and equipment.

May volunteer to snorkel.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: flora and fauna, natural communities and ecosystem functions in coastal southeast Florida, the principles of teaching and training.

Skill in: use of scanners, point of sale software, and other standard office equipment, producing slides, graphic displays and photos, researching and writing financial, educational, promotional and interpretive materials, the recruitment, training and placement of volunteers, working with and leading school students from a variety of grade levels and teachers.

Ability to: manage a large and diverse volunteer program, lead school groups of up to 50 students, work with computers, with a preference toward Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, design, organize, and schedule a variety of interpretive programs and special events, establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, other agencies and the public, operate park vehicles including UTVs, pickup trucks, golf carts and multi passenger trams, swim and work on, in and under water.

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid driver license, successful completion of Ranger Academy, and must have prior approval and pass DEP approved training course to snorkel.

Pay: $3,176.43 monthly/$38,117.16 annually.

Where You Will Work: Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949.

The shores and coastal waters at this park provide an abundance of recreational opportunities. The breathtakingly beautiful half-mile beach welcomes visitors for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving. Beachcombing, picnicking or just relaxing on the sand are also popular activities. Dynamite Point was once the training site for World War II Navy Frogmen but is now a haven for bird-watchers. Along the south end of the park, Fort Pierce Inlet is a popular place for anglers to catch their dinners. Jack Island Preserve, located 1 mile north of the park, has trails for hiking, bicycling and nature study. At the west end of the Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, visitors can climb an observation tower for a bird's-eye view of the Indian River and the island.

The benefits of working for the state of Florida include 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.