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Pasco County, FL

Program Specialist - Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources

Pasco County, FL, New Port Richey

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Salary: $19.68 - $27.55 Hourly
Location : New Port Richey, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 13346-0825
Department: Parks, Recreation, & Natrl Resources
Division: Natural Resources Passive Parks
Opening Date: 08/08/2025
Closing Date: 8/21/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Salary Range: $19.68 - $27.55
Pay Grade: N33 (Non-exempt position)
Salary Disclosure: Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity.
General Description
JOIN OUR TEAM AS A PROGRAM SPECIALIST!
This is a semi-entry level position responsible for developing and conducting educational programs, outdoor recreation, special events and interpretive materials to educate the public about the historical, cultural, and environmental nature of parks.
Essential Job Functions
Conducts environmental educational and outdoor recreation activities for the general public including youth, teen, seniors, schools and private organizations within the Parks and Trails Division. Supports, develops, and implements outdoor recreation programs and activities, including Pasco Outdoors Adventures, which is comprised of archery, camping, fishing, geocaching, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and nature photography. Oversees and coordinates camp activities for youth. Supports, develops, and implements environmental educational outreach programs to increase awareness of environmental conservation issues within the community. Develops educational materials and promotes environmental conservation activities using social media, and traditional advertising methods (flyers, tabling, etc.).
Assists with various park projects with staff and volunteer groups for habitat restoration and nature program purposes. Assists with campground and cabin reservations and maintenance of campground facilities. Supervises a group of participants, planning activities, and administering discipline in a camp situation or playground program or at a recreational facility. Gathers all necessary equipment or supplies for programs. Assists with light maintenance and custodial work required to support recreation programs.
Possesses intermediate computer knowledge. Assists with maintaining basic written records, data collection, and reports pertaining to daily and weekly activities. Assists in administration of environmental center such as answering telephone, registering participants, opening and closing facility, setting up and taking down equipment and facilities according to assignment and schedule. Lift and/or move up to 20lbs and push or pull heavy objects. Assists with and performs related work as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of techniques for developing educational and outdoor recreational programs and activities related to county facilities.
  • Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of environmental management and natural systems.
  • Knowledge of Florida's ecosystems and the ability to design interpretive materials.
  • Ability to organize and conduct programs and events and evaluate program results.
  • Ability to develop visual aids and other instructional materials and present to the general public.
  • Ability to courteously and respectfully work with the public.
  • Skill in speaking before groups and conducting demonstrations and tours.
Minimum Requirements
PHYSICAL SKILLS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Ability to walk and stand extensively in some cases over rough terrain, in an outdoor setting for several hours and climb, bend, stretch, kneel, reach, stoop and squat frequently. Lift and/or move up to 20lbs and push or pull heavy objects. May use a handling device (dolly, cart, etc.) or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessively heavy objects. Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication. Must be able to work a flexible schedule that includes days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited college or university with anAssociate degree in natural resources or a related field and three (3) years of experience in recreation or a related field OR aHigh School Diploma or equivalency and five (5) years of experience. One (1) year of experience in environmental education/outdoor recreation and program planning and implementation preferred.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Florida driver's license. Certified Florida Master Naturalist preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including some nights and weekends.
ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE : Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE : Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.
PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP WORK PLACES FOR 2021
Benefits include:
  • Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement plan
  • PTO (Paid Time Off)
  • Paid holidays
  • Group insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Deferred compensation
  • Medical leave pool
  • Annual medical leave buy-back
  • Mid-management/Professional grade, and management personnel may receive 40 hours of admin leave per calendar year.

Effective July 1, 2011, FRS members must contribute 3% of their salary as retirement contributions, on a pre-tax basis (the salary is reduced by the amount of the employee contribution before determining the federal income tax deduction). The employer will automatically deduct the employee contributions.
01
I am aware that the following supplemental questions will determine my eligibility for this position.
  • Acknowledge
  • Decline

02
Are you a current Pasco County BOCC employee?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Which best describes your highest level of COMPLETED education?
  • GED
  • High School
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctorate
  • None of the above

04
Which best describes the years of experience you have in recreation or related field?
  • Ten or more years of experience
  • Nine years but less than ten
  • Eight years but less than nine
  • Seven years but less than eight
  • Six years but less than seven
  • Five years but less than six
  • Four years but less than five
  • Three years but less than four
  • Two years but less than three
  • One year but less than two
  • Less than one year of experience

05
Which best describes the years of experience you have in environmental education/outdoor recreation and program planning and implementation?
  • Ten or more years of experience
  • Nine years but less than ten
  • Eight years but less than nine
  • Seven years but less than eight
  • Six years but less than seven
  • Five years but less than six
  • Four years but less than five
  • Three years but less than four
  • Two years but less than three
  • One year but less than two
  • Less than one year of experience
  • No experience

06
Do you possess a valid Florida driver's license or have the ability to obtain the license within 30 days from date of hire?
  • Yes
  • No

07
Are you able to work a flexible schedule which may include evenings and weekends?
  • Yes
  • No

08
Do you possess a valid Florida driver's license or have the ability to obtain the license within 30 days from date of hire?
  • Yes
  • No

09
Are you a certified Florida Master Naturalist?
  • Yes
  • No

10
Are you a veteran who served as a member of the armed forces of the United States during a period of war, defined in Title 38, U.S.C., and who was separated from such service under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran? (SUPPORTING DOCUMENTION IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION OR NEXT BUSINESS DAY).
  • Yes
  • No

11
I hereby acknowledge that Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law, and consent to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing, and agree to abide by the program and policy if employed by Pasco County BOCC.
  • Acknowledged
  • Declined

12
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? Note: If hired, a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be completed at the start of employment.
  • Yes
  • No

13
Have you recently retired from the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or Investment Plan within the last 6 months?
  • Yes
  • No

14
Please specifically explain how your prior work experience and education match the qualifications for this position. (1000 characters or less)
15
How did you hear about this position?
  • Billboard
  • Facebook
  • Friend/Family Referral
  • Indeed
  • Job Fair
  • LinkedIn
  • Magazine publication
  • Pasco County employee
  • Pasco County Traffic Sign
  • Utility bill insert
  • Pasco County website/Governmentjobs.com
  • Other

16
If a Pasco County employee referred you, please provide the name of the employee.
Required Question