Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement

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: Claytor Lake 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 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.

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, 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. It is our honor and privilege to play host to more than 10 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
Ideal for swimming, camping, hiking and picnicking, Claytor Lake is known for sport fishing and boating. The park has a full-service marina with docking slips, supplies, fuel, boat rentals and refreshments. The Water's Edge Meeting Facility is perfect for weddings, receptions and reunions, and wedding packages are available. Three lodges and 15 cabins overlook the 4,500-acre lake, offering visitors a scenic retreat. The historic Howe House has interactive exhibits describing the ecology of the lake and the surrounding areas.

THE OPPORTUNITY
In this role you will join a winning team and assist the Park Manager in the direction of personnel, expenditures, and operations for the general management of a major state park.

The Chief Ranger is primarily responsible for providing direct day-to-day supervision of permanent, seasonal, and temporary employees and volunteers in the protection and care of state park lands, natural and cultural resources, and the maintenance, operation and repair of state park structures, facilities, equipment, and utility systems. Specifically, the incumbent of this position will be responsible for supervising staff in the completion of park preventive maintenance activities related to, facilities, grounds, and equipment; and ensuring operations comply with park and regulatory standards. The Chief Ranger will assist in performing resource management activities including invasive species treatment, prescribed burns, boundary marking and assists with managed deer hunts.

Other duties include, but are not limited to, participating in the recruitment process for wage/seasonal employees; providing park operations and safety training to employees; providing exemplary customer service and responding to customer complaints; providing input to assist with park budget preparation and tracking; and procuring materials and services in accordance with all state policies and procedures.

The Chief Ranger will assume the role of head of park operations in the absence of the Park Manager and Assistant Manager, so all park operations continue. In addition to the above duties, the Chief Ranger ensures public safety and resource protection by enforcing park rules and regulations and state laws as a sworn conservation officer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience demonstrating the knowledge of grounds/facility maintenance practices.
• Experience demonstrating the knowledge of personnel management/supervision, and work experience providing staff training.
• Experience performing duties related to revenue collection/reporting, and financial/budget tracking.
• Experience demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to external and internal stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of resource management techniques, procedures, and guidelines.

Additional Considerations

• Sworn conservation officer designation with certification in CPR/AED and First Aid.
• Considerable knowledge of natural and cultural resource issues and processes, and regulatory requirements with the ability to accommodate them into facility management.
• Working knowledge of major trades and constructions techniques.
• Possession of a Pesticide License.
• Experience in heavy equipment operations.
• Experience in chainsaw operations.

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. To be considered for an interview, the candidate must demonstrate the minimal qualifications within their application or resume.

A valid Virginia 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.

Position requires the incumbent to become a Sworn Conservation Officer. Sworn Conservation 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 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.

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. The position requires shift work, which includes weekends and holidays. The Chief ranger is required to wear state-issued uniforms and use state issued equipment.

Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check including a criminal history record check. References, work history and DMV driving record will be verified prior to employment. Applicants must be ability to work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals and insects. Requires the ability to perform heavy manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. Will be required to obtain First Aid, CPR certifications within 12 months of employment.

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.

DCR is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and the highest ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that our greatest strength lies in the individual differences, experiences, and skillsets that our employees bring to the table. Because of this, we strongly encourage applications from all walks of life, and we welcome all contributions in terms of age, beliefs, color, culture, disability, education, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, language, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran’s status.

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

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.