Location: Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33175
Schedule: Wednesday - Saturday; 10-hours Days; 4-days a week.
Join our team and find yourself working in the abundance of natural beauty as far as the eye can see at the largest park within the Pinellas County Park System. Parks and Conservation Resources is seeking a Chief Park Ranger to provide a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for patrons visiting Fort De Soto Park.
The Chief Park Ranger performs administrative, supervisory, direct public contact work, protecting public property by properly interpreting and enforcing rules and regulations in the operation of multiple County parks, preserves, managed lands, beach accesses, boat ramps, boat storage areas, recreation trail, and a marina. Work includes supervising Park Rangers, overseeing the general maintenance of park buildings and amenities, and responding to patron inquiries. Employees in this class report to an Operations Manager within the Parks & Conservation Resources (PCR) Department.
What Will You Do?
- Administers and supervises the operation and maintenance of multiple park facilities including boat dock areas, fishing, bathing and swimming areas, building and grounds maintenance and security patrolling.
- Supervises the training of Park Rangers, conducts hiring interviews, approves payroll, completes performance evaluations and disciplinary actions, and reviews Park Ranger’s daily logs.
- Supervises and conducts park and playground safety and maintenance inspections.
- Responds to questions from the public, advises of recreational opportunities, and explains regulations. Investigates disturbances or suspicious circumstances and, when necessary, enforces rules and regulations through appropriate intervention. Issues citations to park patrons for violations of park rules or regulations and appears in court as an expert witness when required.
- Provides general landscape maintenance.
- Patrols parks, boat ramps, beach accesses, campgrounds, and trails, using assigned vehicles or bicycles.
- Foot patrol may be necessary in areas otherwise inaccessible, or when closer scrutiny is necessary; directs and controls traffic, makes traffic counts and surveys, gives first-aid, and protects park property.
- Completes monthly reports, citations, fee collection paperwork, and work orders.
- Responds to questions from the public and gives information concerning park facilities, historical sites, rules, regulations and other related matters.
- Performs weekly safety inspections, prepares safety inspection reports and performs various maintenance duties.
- Assists in requisitioning materials and supplies for multiple park operations and maintenance.
- Performs related work as assigned or required.
What Do You Need?
Experience - General maintenance, landscaping, park operations, or related direct public contact work with 1 year of supervisory training or experience.
Education - Major or coursework in natural resources, park administration, leisure studies, forestry, botany, or related field.
- At least 5 years of experience as described above; or
- An associate degree as described above and at least 3 years of experience as described above; or
- A bachelor’s degree as described above and at least 1 year of experience as described above; or
- A master’s degree with course work as described above and some experience as described above.
- Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Driver's License upon hire with eligibility based upon evaluation of a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) driving report.
- Employee must possess and maintain a valid certification as a Parking Enforcement Specialist, as outlined in Chapter 316, Florida Statutes.
- Employee must possess and maintain valid certificates indicating successful completion of First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
- Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
Let Us Tell You What Benefits We Offer!!
- Our benefits rank among the top in the area! Check it out!
- Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
- We have tuition reimbursement, wellness, and deferred compensation programs to name a few perks. Check out these and more!
Want to learn more?
Review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands and Working Conditions at the below link.
Chief Park Ranger, C25