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 create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.
The Work You Will Do:
An opportunity is anticipated for a self-motivated, hard-working individual, with strong mechanical maintenance experience and heavy equipment operation skills to fill an OPS Heavy Equipment Operator position for the Florida Park Service at Wekiva River Basin Geo State Park in Apopka Florida.
The Difference You Will Make:
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. SM
How You Will Grow:
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:
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Cir
Apopka FL 32712
With emerald springs feeding the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks, this unique park just minutes from downtown Orlando is perfect for observing abundant wildlife or cooling off on a summer day.
Miles of trails beg to be explored on foot, bike or horseback, and canoes and kayaks are available on-site. It’s easy to see why visitors have been flocking to beautiful Wekiwa Springs since the mid-19th century.
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).
- Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).
- State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan).
- Flexible Spending Accounts.
Pay:
$18.00 per hour
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This position will work along with the Park Service Specialist and independently in the field in remote locations prepping fire lines throughout Wekiva River Basin Geo State Parks. This position also conducts mechanical treatment of overgrown habitat with a John Deer Tractor with mowing and disking attachments.
Incumbent will be operating equipment and vehicles, such as chain saws, tractors, bulldozers, tree cutters, and mowers. Will ensure proper operation of vehicles, equipment and tools. Cleans and services all vehicles, equipment and tools. Ensure repairs are made to equipment, either by a repair shop or in-house. Perform routine maintenance on all park equipment (oil changes, greasing, filter changes, etc.). Secures all tools, vehicles and equipment. Completes and submits monthly vehicle logs.
Performs other related duties as required including but not limited to completing daily routine (checking well and maintain, car counters, empty trashcans, etc.), maintaining visitor areas and trails, facility maintenance and assisting throughout Wekiva River Basin Geo State Parks as needed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- Microsoft Office programs and basic program troubleshooting.
- The principals and techniques of the skilled mechanical repair work.
- Safety procedures required in maintenance and repair work.
- Protection and monitoring of Florida’s natural and cultural resources.
Skill in:
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Be able to fill in short reports and communicate effectively with internal emails and timesheets.
- Complete monthly vehicle logs.
- Operating heavy equipment.
- Interpreting resources and park policies to visitors.
Ability to:
- Work rotating shifts including nights, holidays and weekends.
- Follow verbal and written instructions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Accurately prepare reports.
- Read and follow a map.
- Work in remote and isolated locations independently: perform physical labor with minimal supervision.
- Understand and apply rules, directives, policies, laws, and regulations.
- Identify and investigate problems for equipment and repair them onsite.
- Operate and maintain vehicles, tools, and equipment.
- Drive a manual (stick shift) vehicle.
- Apply maintenance trades.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Skills:
- Previous experience and training in heavy equipment operations.
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_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov
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.
