Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement

Title: Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

Hiring Range: $45,000 - $60,564

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Machicomoco State Park

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, providing access for outdoor recreation, strengthening communities’ flood resilience, and protecting what Virginians care about: clean water, parks, natural habitat and open space.

Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation touches all Virginians’ lives.

DCR offers paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 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.

Job Summary

The Chief Ranger Law Enforcement position at Machicomoco State Park 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. You will also assist with special events, special operations, and search and rescue operations as knowledge and skills permit.

Job Duties

• Working directly with management and maintenance staff to ensure routine maintenance projects are scheduled and completed on time.
• Recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising classified and seasonal staff, volunteers, and other work program participants.
• Overseeing maintenance of buildings, trails, and grounds, including tools, equipment, and preventive maintenance performed by staff.
• Ensuring the effective operation of all park facilities.
• Performing hands-on preventive maintenance of park buildings and grounds as needed.
• Assisting with developing and monitoring park budgets, including maintenance projects and the annual operating plan.
• Reviewing and completing various tasks using maintenance management software to perform timekeeping, create schedules, assign work, procurement, and accident reports.
• Assisting with the development of the park budget and annual operating plan.
• Performing grounds, trails, and facilities development; construction, management, and maintenance of assigned construction/site improvement projects, and natural resource management.
• Work requires exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects. A successful candidate must be able to perform manual labor, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 pounds. The successful candidate must obtain certifications in CPR and First Aid and accepts responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms and will be required to wear a uniform and related law enforcement equipment and comply with the DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of how to prioritize operations and staffing based on seasonal needs.
• Experience managing, supervising, and training staff or volunteers, including scheduling work, assigning tasks, and ensuring that results meet standards.
• Knowledge of and experience with plumbing, carpentry, painting, and groundskeeping tasks.
• Knowledge in the use of computer programs, Microsoft Office products.
• Experience working in teams and providing customer service to the general public.
• Must be able to complete the agency-required Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain DCJS certification within 18 months of hire.
• Due to law enforcement requirements, you must be at least 21 years old, be a U.S. citizen, and be a High School graduate or possess a GED.

Additional Considerations

• Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
• Practical experience in custodial maintenance, such as cleaning facilities, restrooms, and general housekeeping.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations.

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., in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application and/or resume are complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

A valid Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

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

This position requires the incumbent to be or become a Sworn Conservation Officer and attend a 21-week Law Enforcement Academy located in Salem, Virginia. Selected candidates are provided with living accommodation during the academy. Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school graduate or possess a 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.

Employment conditions 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 before beginning employment.

The position involves regular outdoor work in all seasons, with exposure to weather, dust, animals, and insects. Candidates must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds. The selected applicant will be required to obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and must be willing to carry and properly use firearms as part of assigned duties. This role also requires wearing uniform and law enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO LIVE IN PARK HOUSING.
In accordance with 10.1-109.B of the Code of Virginia, this position is required to reside in Department-controlled housing for the purpose 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 before 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.

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.