PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020203

Requisition No: 861791 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: PARK SERVICES SPECIALIST - 37020203

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 37020203 

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

Posting Closing Date: 10/20/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator

Park Services Specialist (37020203)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Tallahassee, Florida

Post Closing Date 10-20-2025

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated, hard-working individual with experience working with cultural resource management tactics and best practices, operating and maintaining gas and diesel equipment, utilizing various hand and power tools, and have strong communication skills to fill a Park Services Specialist position at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. This position is responsible for providing visitor services, maintenance, protection, administration and resource management. The applicant will serve as the project coordinator by providing training, direction, and leadership to staff, volunteers and AmeriCorps members to accomplish cultural resource work projects. The applicant must possess good visitor services, 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.

VISITOR SERVICES - Meets visitors, answer questions, provides information and directions. Interprets park resources and the need for their preservation. Attempts to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Plans and conducts community outreach activities to expand public understanding of the Florida Park Service resource management and protection objectives. Represents the park and Florida Park Service to outside agencies and organizations, disseminating information and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities provided by the park. Participates in guided walks, plant care workshops, tours, recreational skills programs, special events and other interpretive activities. Collects fees, operates cash register/point of sale system in accordance with the direction established by the Bureau of Finance and Accounting and the Park Revenue Collection Procedures.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - 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. Participates in resource management projects including prescribed burning, invasive species removal, reforestation, plant community restoration, erosion control, pest species control and native wildlife management. Participates in planning and conducting resource management activities by implementing resource management techniques required to manage and restore natural and cultural resources. Assists in the development of resource inventories and management plans. Candidate researches the history of the park, both natural and cultural, maintains natural and cultural resource files, coordinates and participates in planning for appropriate preservation of cultural resources, and participates in implementation of such plans. Recognizes biological communities and the natural processes required for their maintenance. Serves as the project coordinator by providing direction and leadership to staff, volunteers and AmeriCorps members to accomplish natural and cultural resource work projects .

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. Operates equipment, power and hand tools related to plumbing, carpentry, electrical, masonry, landscaping, etc. Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on equipment and assigned vehicles daily. Communicates equipment and facility maintenance needs to management. Constructs, maintains and repairs small buildings, fences, trails, service roads, fire lanes, boardwalks, picnic sites, and all other necessary facilities, including historic structures. Operates a variety of equipment including chainsaws, lawn mowers, tractors and motor vehicles. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities.

ADMINISTRATION - Prepares a wide variety of reports, forms and logs related to all aspects of park operations. Answers the telephone, operates a park radio, uses computers with Florida Park Service software and various office equipment. Provides research, development, and library of funding sources for the park via corporate/foundation and public support entities including grant funding efforts. Designs and implements public marketing relations program to encourage corporate/foundation and private support of the park.

PROTECTION - Ensures park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural, historical and archeological facilities and resources and use thereof for the enjoyment of the visitor. Maintains cleanliness of grounds and facilities. Ensures all aspects of security and safety are maintained.

OTHER  –  Performs 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
• principles for monitoring and preservation of prehistoric archeological resources
• technical report writing and effective verbal and written communication principles and techniques
• computers and related software
• grant writing
• general maintenance

Skill in:

• communicating effectively verbally and in writing
• Accurately preparing reports
• Operation of Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
• Interacting with all internal and external customers and the general public in a professional, tactful and courteous manner
• Utilizing power tools, including but not limited to, chain saws and drills
• Utilizing two-way radios and computers including, but not limited to software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite

Ability to:

• work rotating shifts including special events, nights, holidays, and weekends
• Participate in resource management tasks, including but not limited to 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, blowing sidewalks, 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
• Maintain a valid driver's license
• Successfully complete background & fingerprint check
• Comply with uniform standards
• Comply with hair grooming standards and body art and piercing restrictions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Complete Background Screening
• Valid Driver’s License

Position Of Special Trust Requirement:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with Directive 422, Position 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

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:

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

3540 Thomasville Road

Tallahassee, FL 32309

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park (1,184 acres) is located in Leon County within the city limits of Tallahassee with a recreation area, trail system and a 28-acre masterpiece of floral architecture.

The beautiful ornamental gardens were first planted in 1923 by Alfred B. and Louise Maclay after they purchased the property for their winter home. The gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, secret garden, reflection pool, walled garden, and hundreds of camellias and azaleas. Peak blooming season is from January 1 through April 30, with the floral peak in mid-to-late March.

Lake Hall provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Pavilions and grills along the lakeshore provide the perfect setting for a picnic.

Two short nature trails meander through the woods overlooking the lake.

Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians can enjoy six miles of shared-use trails and five miles of designated biking trails winding through the woods surrounding Lake Overstreet.

Click the attached link to learn more about this beautiful park:

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*). For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com)and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;

For a more benefits information, visit .

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:

[email protected]

[email protected]

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.