Park Manager - Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Title: Park Manager - Smith Mountain Lake State Park

State Role Title: Natural Resource Manager II

Hiring Range: $60,000 - $84,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Agency Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

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.

On the second largest freshwater lake in the state, this picturesque park is the water enthusiast's paradise. There are numerous water activities, including swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp, and a universally accessible fishing pier. Families can also enjoy picnicking, a visitor center, an amphitheater, special programs, camping, miles of trails, and cabins with boat docks.

As a Park Manager, you will:

• Direct personnel, operations, and expenditures in the operation of state parks providing for programs and services to ensure visitor expectations are met and the park’s natural, historical, and cultural resources are protected for future generations.
• Ensure department, division, and park support through civic activities, media relations, and interaction with other governmental officers and/or agencies.
• Manage compliance with regulatory agencies for health and safety and provide intra-agency resources for the advancement of the Agency's mission.

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

• Strong personnel management skills to include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Experience providing effective interpersonal communications and leading individuals, small groups, and work units in accomplishing programmatic functions.
• Considerable business management experience, including budget planning and revenue generation.
• Experience coordinating work programs effectively and efficiently on a seasonal schedule with minimal impact on the public use of the facilities.
• Experience with custodial, building, facility, grounds, and systems that may impact public safety and/or customer service.
• Knowledge of practices relating to the conservation, preservation, and restoration of natural, cultural, historical, or recreational resources.
Knowledge of interpretation and public relations in a park and/or natural, cultural, or recreational operational setting.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with business management and revenue generation in relationship to the operation of a park or similar facility with multiple revenue streams.
• Knowledge and implementation experience of park policies and rules that directly impact visitors.
• Advanced experience with managing partnerships with Friends groups, Foundations, or similar organizations.

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. Applications will only be accepted on-line through the State Job website. Applications must include all work history and references. The decision to interview an applicant is solely based on the information provided in the application materials. Therefore, it is essential to provide enough information to make this assessment.

A valid Driver's License is required.

Selected candidate(s) for positions within Virginia State Parks will be required to satisfactorily complete a criminal history background check. References, work history, and DMV driving record will be verified prior to employment.

The Park Manager position requires shift work, which includes weekends and holidays. 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. This position is required to wear state-issued uniforms and use state-issued equipment. Selected candidate will work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects and be required to perform heavy manual labor including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. Will be required to obtain First Aid and CPR certifications within 12 months of employment.

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.

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 Parks 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.