Chief Park Ranger (Operations)

Title: Chief Park Ranger (Operations)

State Role Title: 

Hiring Range: $44,000 - $60,564

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Clinch River State Park

Agency Website: https://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.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hiring! Join us in preserving what people care about most – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. Clinch River State Park is accepting applications for the position of Chief Park Ranger (Operations).

The Chief Park Ranger will provide supervision and oversight to staff and volunteers in the protection of state park lands, and natural and cultural resources. Primary for this position include:

• Assisting with the overall management and operation of the park.
• Performing preventive maintenance of park buildings, trails and ground.
• Supervising staff who perform buildings and grounds maintenance activities.
• Serving as the park’s primary Site Safety Officer.
• Reviewing and completing various tasks using maintenance management software such as timekeeping, creating schedules, assigning work, project tracking, procurement, and various reports.
• Assisting Park management with the development of the park budget and annual operating plan.
  
  

DCR offers paid leave; 13 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; as well as retirement plans including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. DCR is also a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer and a certified Virginia Values Veteran (V3) employer.

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 working independently with excellent organizational skills.
• Experience with managing, supervising, and training staff or volunteers including scheduling work, assigning tasks, and ensuring results meet standards.
• Experience providing customer service in a public setting.
• Knowledge, skill and ability to perform preventive maintenance on buildings, trails, equipment and grounds.
• Familiarity with using computers, electronic devices, and software to create schedules, develop and track work assignments, asset management, timekeeping, and other technological tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Valid Driver's License required.

Additional Considerations

• Demonstrated work history or volunteer experience in parks and recreation or similar environment.
• Experience with administrative functions such as project planning, budget and cash management, and procurement.
• Knowledge of OSHA and Bloodborne Pathogens policies and procedures.
• Experience in public education programming.
• Experience in resource management.
• Relevant certifications or licenses such as CPR/First Aid/AED, Pesticide Applicator’s License, or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Special Instructions

You will be provided with 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 online through the State Job website. Applications must include all work history and references.

PARK HOUSING IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: 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. This is a non-law enforcement position.

Selected candidate(s) for positions within Virginia State Parks will be required to satisfactorily complete a criminal history background check. Selected candidates must 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/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

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.