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OPS PARK RANGER (MERMAID/MERMAN) - 37971552 1

Date: Jul 25, 2025

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce\_operations/human\_resource\_management/for\_job\_applicants/e\_verify) .

Requisition No: 857358

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: OPS PARK RANGER (MERMAID/MERMAN) - 37971552 1

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 37971552

Salary: $15 PER HOUR

Posting Closing Date: 08/13/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)

OPS PARK RANGER (MERMAID/MERMAN) (37971552)

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This position is located in Spring Hill, FL

Multiple vacancies may be filled from this posting

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is looking for a self-motivated park service professional to fill an OPS 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 choreographed shows. The applicant must be able to work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position is 24-29hours per week.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compliance with the processing requirements of Chapter 215.422, F.S. is mandatory. Persistent failure to comply with this section by any agency of the state shall constitute good cause for discharge of employees duly found responsible, or predominantly responsible, for failure to comply.

VISITOR SERVICES: Performs in choreographed shows and provides interpretive programs following all safety protocols. Performs underwater shows in the evenings, and at offsite locations to include Aquariums, which may contain wildlife. Employees shall conduct themselves, on and off the job, in a manner that will not bring discredit to the park, the state or the Service at offsite promotional events. Greets visitors, answers questions, provides information and directions. Attempt to resolve visitor complaints while maintaining good public relations. Treats park visitors, co-workers and partners with respect. Dives as required.

PROTECTION: Adhere to the requirements of the DEP Underwater Operations Manual. Responsible for maintaining compliance with all safety regulations, dive safety protocols, personal certifications, and training. Maintains knowledge of best practices to preserve all natural and cultural resources. Maintains knowledge of park rules and enforces as needed. Employee will embrace safety as a personal responsibility for themselves and their co-workers. All safety issues will be corrected, if possible, and reported to a supervisor immediately. Review and be aware of all applicable MSDS sheets. Review and be familiar with Emergency Action Plan and all applicable Dive Plans employee is participating in.

MAINTENANCE: Responsible for completing daily assignments and reporting any unsafe conditions or faulty equipment immediately to the supervisor. Routine, ongoing maintenance duties include cleaning air hose after each show, daily removal of excess water on floors in tube room, locker room and washer room. Maintenance removal of hydria, Lyngbya sp. and other nuisance algae from underwater theater to include, but not limited to all viewing windows, underwater props, stage, air curtain, air locks and air manifolds, Clean and maintain underwater theater area as directed. Maintain staff areas and locker in clean, safe, and organized manner. Repair and fabricate tails and other costume items.

ADMINISTRATION: Maintains all required dive safety certifications and requirements to remain in compliance with the DEP Underwater Operations Manual. Prepares and completes all required logs and reports on time. Complete all required training and exams. Answers phones, operates radio equipment, and maintains all required reports.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Maintains knowledge of and best practices to preserve all natural and cultural resources. Ensure compliance with DEP UOM, in regard toMaintenance and Removal of Lyngbya and other Nuisance Algae.

OTHER – Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment required for the position: Ability to:

Follow written and verbal instructions; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; prepare reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; deal with visitor inquiries in a tactful, efficient and courteous manner; understand and apply rules, directives and policies, laws and regulations; conduct routine inspections, identify and investigate problems; use assorted power tools and equipment; sew costumes, prepare and present performances, programs and other interpretive programming to the public; work rotating shifts including days, nights, weekends and holidays; do grounds and building cleaning and maintenance; work in and out-of-doors and underwater; lift 40 pounds; operate radio equipment; operate State vehicles; maintain a valid driver’s license, Valid open water SCUBA certification, Current First Aid, Current CPR, Current Emergency Oxygen Administration, Current Blood Borne Pathogen Training. Position must be Medically Monitored. Successful completion of background and fingerprint screening

AN AUDITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO QUALIFY, CONSISTING OF:

+ Complete a 400-yard swim under 16 minutes

+ Demonstrate neutral buoyancy

+ Breath-hold dive

+ Breath-hold swim underwater as far as you can go

+ Smile and wave

+ Ballet

Must be approved to SCUBA Dive in accordance with FDEP Underwater Operations Manual.

Incumbent of this position will participate in the DEP Medical Monitoring Program for DEP divers.

Minimum Qualifications:

Valid class E Driver’s License

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:

$15 per hour

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:

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

6131 Commercial Way

Spring Hill, FL 34606

Approximately one hour north of Tampa, Weeki Wachee is perhaps the best-known symbol of the yesteryear of Florida tourism. Iconic mermaids perform in pure aquamarine water that flows from a first-magnitude spring. This Old Florida site is also home to the deepest freshwater cave system in the country

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*).

+ State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan, for more information, please visit Corebridge Financial (https://www.corebridgefinancial.com/rs/opsfl/plan-details/social-security-alternative-plan#accordion-e1292cd3b8-item-0be1bc4b3d) ).

+ Flexible Spending Accounts.

+ And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours on average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Special Notes: DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable 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 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.

Location:

WEEKI WACHEE, FL, US, 34606 SPRING HILL, FL, US, 34606

Nearest Major Market:Tampa