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An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hard-working individual with strong resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance experience to fill a Resident Park Manager II position at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park located in Lakeland, Florida.
This position is responsible for the oversight and overall management of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Supervises the park staff and participates in the management of the area’s resources, facilities and public use under existing rules and operating policies to provide the proper levels of administration, resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance.
Florida state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by all through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida.
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.
Kissimmee Prairie is a land dominated by the great blue sky. Part of the Everglades headwaters, the preserve protects the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie, an ecosystem shaped by cycles of flooding and fire.
Many rare, threatened and endangered species inhabit this place, and the wide-open landscape means that birdwatchers and photographers have ample opportunity to catch sight of a grasshopper sparrow, crested caracara or burrowing owl.
Internationally recognized for its lack of light pollution, the night sky above the prairie is inky black — campers can spot the Milky Way without using telescopes or binoculars.
Click on the link to preview this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/parks-and-trails/kissimmee-prairie-preserve-state-park
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;
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers;
- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for the oversight and overall management of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Supervises the park staff and participates in the management of the area’s resources, facilities and public use under existing rules and operating policies to provide the proper levels of administration, resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance.
Administration - Reviews and implements administrative policies, procedures, guidelines and related directives; evaluate impact on operations; identifies potential problems; recommends and oversees implementation of appropriate corrective action/s; provides for employee selection, training, supervision and discipline; prepares, implements and controls the work scheduling and assignments for the staff; prepares budget requests, provides for effective expenditure of appropriations, supervises the collection of fees, is responsible for all facility and equipment inventories, and implements established policies for fiscal control and accountability.
Resource Management - Oversees the activities relating to land management, recreation and resource management; implements and guides the resource management plan for the area including ecological burning, water manipulation, native species propagation, erosion control, exotic plant and animal control.
Maintenance - Oversees planning, implementation and control of the area’s maintenance program. Identifies maintenance needs and provides supervision and management to staff for maintenance of the facilities and support equipment for efficient area operation; assists in the inspection of plans for recreational development, construction and renovations to ensure compliance with code specifications, permits and quality workmanship.
Visitor Services - Implements and supervises the area’s interpretive programs; meets the public, interprets the area’s resources, facilities and services; resolves visitor complaints; responds to public inquiries and provides good public relations; coordinates with local and state government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and volunteers, in an effort to get community and organizational support in achieving park goals and objectives.
Protection - Ensures Park rules are enforced pertaining to all natural and cultural resources and facilities, while providing access and safe enjoyment for the visitor.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: advanced management principles, practices and techniques; Florida ecosystem functions and resource management techniques required to manage/restore natural communities; cultural resource preservation and restoration techniques; methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data; building maintenance and construction; business principles.
Ability to: supervise people; prepare and maintain schedules; analyze programs and proposed projects; prepare reports and records; plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; plan and prepare educational, interpretive and promotional material and programs; understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; operate personal computers.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Valid driver’s license.
- Reside on Park Property.
- Successful completion on annual moderate pack test.
- Successfully complete a background and fingerprint check.
- Must successfully meet position specific DRP Burn Standards for Prescribed Fire.
Passing of moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment, and annually thereafter. Prior to being hired, applicants will be given a single opportunity to take and successfully complete a supervised moderate pack test at a date and location to be announced. Pack test requires applicant to complete a two mile walk while carrying 25 pounds in under 30 minutes.
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: This position is a Position of Trust. Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.
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
HR_ER@dep.state.fl.us
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.