Park Ranger - 37001987
State of FloridaRequisition No: 862621
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: PARK RANGER - 37001987
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37001987
Salary: $2,896.67/month $34,760.00/year
Posting Closing Date: 10/14/2025
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Park Ranger ( 37001987)
Anticipated Vacancy
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
This position is located in Destin, FL
CLOSING DATE 10/14/2025
Position Overview and Responsibilities:
Henderson Beach State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill a Park Ranger 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.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is moderately independent work providing Visitor Services, Resource Management, Maintenance, Administration and Protection of Henderson Beach State Park.
VISITOR SERVICES - Explains facilities and services provided for public use, enjoyment and education; meets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions in an accurate and professional manner. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Provides natural and cultural history interpretive programs and services via presentations, walks and other programs and unit specific services as directed.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Participates in the execution of all facets of prescribed fire. Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance. Observes, maintains and protects the natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources of the park. Implements vegetation and wildlife management plans, maintains optimum species control via natural and chemical means. Implements site restoration projects such as reforestation and erosion control. Implements water resources management plans. Collects and records resource management data.
MAINTENANCE - Maintains park structures, facilities, equipment and grounds through routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance practices. Conducts routine inspections to ensure proper maintenance standards are met. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities.
ADMINISTRATION - Prepares forms and reports on a wide range of subjects including visitation, vehicle usage, purchase requests and accidents. Answers telephone operates park radio, computer and various office equipment. Conducts purchasing and fiscal activities in compliance with established procedures. Collects fees, performs cash register transactions and reconciles receipts. Orders, sells, and inventories resale merchandise. Answers correspondence and maintains park files.
PROTECTION - Performs routine patrols and security checks; ensures adherence to the Park Protection Plan. Opens and/or secures park facilities as appropriate. Interprets and enforces park rules pertaining to all natural and cultural resources and facilities and use thereof for the safety and enjoyment of the visitor. Responsible for security of cash fund.
OTHER – Performs other related duties as required
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Florida’s natural and cultural resources
- basic arithmetic
- good public relations
SKILL 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
- performing grounds and building maintenance which includes but is not limited to mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, and painting
- utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chain saws and drills
- basic plumbing, including but not limited to, repairing hose bibs, waterline repair
- basic electrical work, including but not limited to, replacing outlets and circuit breakers
- basic carpentry, including but not limited to, boardwalk and fence repairs
- utilize a computer including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite
ABILITY TO:
- participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to, prescribed fire activities, non-native plant removal which may include application of herbicide
- follow verbal and written instructions/directions
- work independently with minimal supervision
- establish and maintain effective working relationships
- speak in public
- understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws and regulations
- conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems
- 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
- work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
- successfully complete ranger academy
- maintain a valid driver's license
- passing of moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment, and then annually thereafter complete the light pack test
- successfully complete background & fingerprint check
- properly wear uniform
- comply with male and female hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions
Minimum Qualifications:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Completion of 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:
$2,896.67 month/$34,760.00 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:
Henderson Beach State Park
17000 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
Henderson Beach State Park is in Okaloosa County, and is named after the Henderson Family and is known for its high, picturesque dunes, and blue-green waters. At Henderson, public outdoor recreation and conservation is the designated single use of the property. The Park provides one and a half miles of white quartz-sand beaches, a home to threatened-endangered sea turtles, and dune systems.
Besides boasting a mile-and-a-half of pristine beaches for fishing and swimming, Henderson also offers the chance for visitors to stroll along dunes and coastal plant communities or stay overnight in the campground.
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 transferrable 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
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 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.
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.