Job Description

Requisition No: 871818

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37000546

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37000546

Salary: $3,176.43 monthly

Posting Closing Date: 03/26/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Park Services Specialist (37000546)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Niceville, FL

CLOSING DATE 3/26/2026

AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park seeks a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Services Specialist position, providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration, as well as cultural and natural 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. Professionalism and the ability to perform as part of a close-knit team are essential attributes for any applicant to this position. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

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.

• PROGRAM COORDINATION—Coordinates educational programs for outdoor recreation and education. Writes, edits, inventories, orders park brochures and interpretive publications. Plans, prepares, produces, evaluates, and presents environmental education programs, interpretive programs, and tours. Plans, coordinates recreational opportunities within the park, and outparcels.
• VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR—Recruits, screens, trains and oversees volunteers. Utilizes established system to coordinate the park’s volunteer and manpower augmentation program. Determines park needs and coordinates volunteer placement. Develops volunteer job descriptions, procedural manuals, and evaluations. Plans and oversees volunteer schedules, tracks hours, prepares reports, and coordinates awards program.
• VISITOR SERVICES—Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via tours, guided walks, evening programs, and other presentations. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Implements emergency program procedures. Demonstrates a team work ethic and treats parks visitors and co-workers with respect.
• RESOURCE MANAGEMENT—Be knowledgeable of natural resource activities such as prescribed burning plan for the fire type plant communities; recognizes communities, water monitoring, exotic removal, erosion control, timber management, upland and aquatic plant restoration, wildlife monitoring, and other related activities. Remains informed of the cultural resource management activities such as archaeological monitoring, cultural landscapes, and obtaining historical information for the park archives. Monitors historic facilities and objects for detrimental actions, and other related activities.
• MAINTENANCE—Provide effective routine, preventative and corrective maintenance on a proactive basis. Tracks hours on monthly log and reports maintenance when due. Performs routine maintenance, cleanliness, and repairs to buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, docks, and all other facilities, as necessary. Completes and submits work orders for repairs unable to complete. Demonstrates skill, proficiency and safety while operating numerous types of power, handheld, and heavy equipment.
• ADMINISTRATION—Operates point of sale system, accurately collects, records, and reconciles revenue collected. Accurately and legibly completes all required forms on a wide range of subjects including receipts, visitor use, visitor contacts, patrols, wildlife sightings, safety and incident reports, vehicle boat and radio equipment and submits in a timely manner. Enters and submits flex schedule and work hours in People First system in a timely manner. Utilizes the DEP email system to provide additional communication. Communicates effectively in writing and verbally.
• PROTECTION—Maintain and conduct patrols of park and other park parcels for security at gates, entrances, equipment, and facilities. Responsible for cash fund security, bank deposits when necessary. Informs visitors of possible hazards. Implement emergency program procedures. Enforces park rules, regulations, and other related guidelines in a courteous manner. Investigates and prepares forms and reports on safety and miscellaneous incidents. Prevents accidents and injuries by timely reporting and correction of hazards.
• OTHER—Perform other related duties as required

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of: Florida ecosystems and resource management techniques required to manage/restore natural communities; cultural resource preservation and restoration techniques; technical report writing and effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques; computers and related software; FPS volunteer and CSO policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of and ability to: use assorted power/gas tools and equipment to perform physical labor; handle cash register transactions and reconciliation of receipts.
• Skilled in: public speaking, writing, and program presentation; producing photographs and slides.
• Ability to: research, plan and prepare educational, interpretive and promotional materials and programs; work independently; plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; travel occasionally; coordinate special events; compile, organize and analyze data, programs and proposed projects; perform a variety of skilled trade functions; learn two-way radio communications equipment.

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:

$3,176.43 month/$38,117.16 annual

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:

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

4281 Highway 20 West

Niceville, FL 32578

A former WWII gunnery and bombing practice range has been transformed into a stunning natural landscape shaded by longleaf pines, some over 300 years old.

In the late 1950s, Colonel Fred Gannon, Director of Civil Engineering at Eglin Air Force Base, proposed to convert the range into a public area. The Engineering group began the initial construction of the park under his direction following his proposed designs for the proposed park.

In 1966, shortly after completion of the road and trail work, the lands were purchased by the state and became part of the Florida State Park system.

This beautiful park’s centerpiece is Rocky Bayou, the trailing arm of Choctawhatchee Bay, popular for boating and fishing. A prime spot for saltwater fishing, visitors also enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing and observing the park’s diverse wildlife communities.

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 to answer questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

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.

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.