Chief Ranger Law Enforcement - Hayfields State Park

Title: Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement

State Role Title: Natural Resource Specialist II

Hiring Range: $42,000 to $58,800

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Hayfields State Park

Agency Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

If you have always wanted to work in a beautiful and serene environment? Then we have the perfect position for you at Hayfields State Park!

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.

Virginia’s award-winning state park system, a division of DCR, 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, 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. Our parks encompass over 75,000 acres, offering campsites, cabins, trails, shorelines, lakes and ponds, international dark sky sites, and over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Chief 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, you will support park programs and services by providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws. You will ensure the protection of people, property, and resources on land owned, leased, or operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation through articulated and displayed specialized knowledge of public safety and law enforcement activities. This includes providing public safety and law enforcement services by patrolling agency properties in a vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation. Will also assist with special events, special operations, and search and rescue operations as knowledge and skills permit.

As a Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement at Hayfields State Park you will also be responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising classified and seasonal staff who provide support for park operations. Duties include:

• Assist in the planning, development and construction of the property that is to become Hayfields State Park.
• Assist with the overall management and operation of the park, acting as secondary supervisor of the park in the absence of the park manager.
• Perform preventive maintenance of park buildings and grounds.
• Review and complete various tasks using maintenance management software such as timekeeping, creating schedules, assigning work, procurement, and accident reports.
• Assist with the development of the park budget and annual operating plan.
• Perform grounds, trails and facilities development; construction, management and maintenance of assigned construction/site improvement projects, and natural resource management.

You will also:

• Assist in the recruitment and supervision of volunteer where work project and programming labor is needed.
• Assist in planning and organization of an efficient volunteer program.
• Coordinate development and presentation of public interpretive education programs and special events.
• Work actively with internal and external groups/programs to accomplish park natural and cultural resource goals.
• Provide customer service and assist with public relations efforts to promote and enhance community engagement.
• Serve as the park site safety officer.
• Complete reports related to accounts payable, procurement, cash management, visitor service functions, budget and the annual operation plan.

Chief Ranger Law Enforcement also works with district resource management staff and park management in performing resource management activities including invasive species treatment, prescribed burns, boundary marking, vegetation surveys, and long-term land management planning and implementation such as haying and grazing contracts. This position will also assist Division and park management identify potential new property acquisitions to fulfill the overall future master plan for the park.

DCR offers paid leave; 13 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. DCR is a V3 employer…Veterans are encouraged to apply.

DCR’s Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR’s efforts to CONSERVE.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience supervising and providing training staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience providing customer service in a public setting.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform preventive maintenance on buildings and grounds using a variety of tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Familiarity with using computers, electronic devices, and software to create schedules, develop and track work assignments, asset management, timekeeping, and other technological tasks.
• 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. Must be able to complete the agency required Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain DCJS certification within 18 months of hire.
• Valid Driver's License is required.

Work requires exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals and insects. Successful candidate must be able to perform manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. Must obtain certifications in CPR and First Aid.

Additional Considerations

• Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
• Demonstrated work history or volunteer experience in a parks and recreation or similar environment.
• Experience with project planning and budget management.
• Knowledge of OSHA and Bloodborne Pathogens policies and procedures.
• CPR/First Aid/AED, Pesticide Applicator’s and/or CDL license.
• Experience in cash management.
• Experience in public education programming.
• Experience in resource management.
• Knowledge of State Government procurement policies and practices.
A combination of training and experience indicating possession of knowledge and abilities in natural resources, resource management, parks and recreation, criminal justice, public administration, or a related field

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. Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

Position requires incumbent to be or become a Sworn Conservation Officer and attend a 21-week Law Enforcement Academy located in Salem, Virginia. Candidates selected for hire are provided living accommodations during the academy. Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; H.S. grad or possess GED; possess or be able to obtain certification as a LE Officer in VA from the VA 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 prior to beginning employment.

Chief Ranger LE positions require shift work which includes weekends, holidays, and overtime. In addition, this position will serve in an on-call capacity, as needed, to provide security and operational efficiencies. Responding to calls outside scheduled hours requires a response within a prescribed timeframe. Chief Ranger's required to wear state-issued uniforms and equipment.

A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency. Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.

DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.

• Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service) are entitled to overnight facility discounts such as:
  • Free camping outside of the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period in sites designed for up to six people.
  • Free camping Sunday night through Thursday night (excluding the night prior to a holiday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
  • Fifty percent discount on cabins (up to 3 bedrooms) outside of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, for a maximum of 14 nights. All reservations require a two-night minimum. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one night yurt stays only receive a 25% discount.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: NA

Email: hr@dcr.virginia.gov

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.