Title: Park Ranger Law Enforcement - Widewater State Park

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

Hiring Range: $40,000 - $56,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Widewater State Park

Agency Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

THE AGENCY
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is the state’s lead conservation agency and it takes a diverse agency to work for a diverse commonwealth. DCR protects what people care about – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water and safe infrastructure. We manage 43 Virginia State Parks, which has thousands of campsites, hundreds of cabins, beaches, festivals, educational programs, more than 500 miles of trails … the list goes on.
If you’re someone who wants to love what you do, and make a difference, DCR is the place for you!
THE DIVISION
The Division of Virginia State Parks fulfills its mission “to conserve the natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth and provide recreational and educational opportunities consistent with the good stewardship of these lands, waters and facilities that leaves them unimpaired for future generations” by operating a system of 43 state parks that encompass over 75,000 acres; over 1200 buildings, almost 1700 campsites; over 300 cabins; over 700 miles of trails; nearly 500 miles of shoreline; 36 lakes and ponds; 11 swimming beaches; 4 international dark sky sites, and offers over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.
Managed by a full time staff of 275 and a wage staff of 1000 during the prime season, Virginia’s award-winning state park system boasts an incredible and diverse array of natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources; including parks in the mountains; on the ocean; on the Chesapeake Bay; on 8 major rivers; on 4 major lakes; 4 rail trails; and 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. It is our honor and privilege to play host to more than 8 million visitors annually and to offer recreational enjoyment that positively impacts local communities and the Commonwealth overall (to the tune of an economic impact that exceeds $324 million).
THE PARK
On a peninsula at the confluence of Aquia Creek and the Potomac River, Widewater State Park provides public access to both bodies of water. Opened to the public in 2018, the park currently boasts four picnic shelters, two paddle launches, a motorboat ramp, and over two miles of trail. The park highlights Stafford Virginia’s natural, historic, and recreational resources.
THE OPPORTUNITY
In this role, you will join a winning team and assist the Chief Ranger Law Enforcement, Park Manager, and other staff in the overall management and safe operation of the park. The Park Ranger Law Enforcement will be responsible for maintenance and cleaning of facilities and grounds along with the operation of all related tools and equipment. This position also supervises and trains seasonal and wage staff, volunteers, and other work program participants in the maintenance of grounds, facilities, and equipment. The incumbent will also assist with natural resource and trail management which includes, but is not limited to, forest, wildlife, and pest management, maintaining park boundaries and signage, maintaining forest roads/trails, and completing quarterly written trail inspections as well as other forms of written documentation.
Further, the Park Ranger Law Enforcement position serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer as defined in the Code of Virginia § 9.1-101, with responsibility to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of the Department. As one of Virginia's Law Enforcement Rangers, the successful candidate supports park programs and services with special emphasis on providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws. Duties include conducting law enforcement patrols, basic investigations, and responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services. The position requires the incumbent, if not already certified through Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), to meet the Required Steps for the Initial Certification as a Virginia Law Enforcement Officer within 12 months of an assigned academy class date to maintain employment.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; 12 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to lead, direct, and train individuals and/or small groups.
• Experience with effective verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer service in public settings.
• Skill and experience performing grounds maintenance and basic construction/maintenance trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry.
• Basic computer skills including knowledge of Word and Excel.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain by start of employment.

Additional Considerations

• Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
• First Aid, CPR, & AED certification.
• Previous work experience in parks and recreation or similar environment.
• Training or certifications as a sawyer, prescribed burn crew, pesticide technician, and trail construction.
• Familiar with well operations and public water production.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

PARK HOUSING WILL BE OPTIONAL FOR THIS POSITION. If chosen by the incumbent, the following will apply:
In accordance with 10.1-109.B of the code of Virginia, this position is required to reside in Department-controlled housing for the purposes of providing security and operational efficiencies to the property of the Department. The incumbent must enter into a lease agreement and demonstrate possession of liability and personal property insurance.
Position requires the incumbent to become a Sworn Park Ranger Law Enforcement Officer. Sworn Park Ranger Law Enforcement Officer requirements: Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; H.S. grad or possess GED; pass a background investigation including fingerprint-based criminal history records check; possess or be able to obtain certification as a Law Enforcement Officer in Virginia from the Virginia Dept. of Criminal Justice Service which includes accepting responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms. Successful applicants: shall not have a felony conviction(s) or have pled no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in VA; shall not have a misdemeanor conviction(s) involving moral turpitude, including larceny, concealment, uttering, embezzlement or perjury; shall not have conviction(s) for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; shall not have positive results on pre-employment drug screening.
Conditions of employment for this position require the successful completion of a physical agility test and behavioral assessment. Also, successful completion of a physical exam is required to be identified as suitable for the position after being selected for employment.
Ability to work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects. Ability to perform heavy manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs.
Must possess or have the ability to obtain: a valid driver’s license; certifications in CPR, First Aid, or other certifications as required.
Park Ranger-LE positions require shift work which includes weekends, holidays, and overtime. As a non-exempt position, the Park Ranger LE is covered by the FLSA minimum wage and overtime requirements. DCR has elected to grant overtime leave instead of overtime pay when non-exempt employees work more than 40 hours in any work week. When 80 hours of overtime leave have been accumulated, hours worked over 40 in a work week will be compensated by time & one-half rate of pay. These positions are required to wear state-issued uniforms and equipment. On rare occasions, critical agency business needs may require position reassignments within the salary range.
Contact Information

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In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.