Chief Ranger Law Enforcement - Kiptopeke State Park

Title: Chief Ranger Law Enforcement - Kiptopeke State Park

State Role Title: Natural Resource Specialist II

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

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Kiptopeke 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 (DCR) 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

Kiptopeke State Park is the previous site of the Virginia Ferry Corporation’s northern terminus of the Norfolk to Eastern Shore Ferry. In 1949, when the terminus was moved from Cape Charles, the site was named Kiptopeke Beach in honor of the younger brother of a king of the Accawmack Indians who had befriended early settlers to the area. Kiptopeke means Big Water. Ferry service ended in 1964 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was opened. The park opened on Memorial Day weekend in 1992. Today the park totals 562 acres. Overnight accommodations at the park include 4 cabins; 5 lodges; 138 campsites, some with water, electric, and sewer; 4 yurts; and a bunkhouse. The site also has two picnic shelters, playground, boat ramp, 24-hour lighted fishing pier, and 1.5 miles of unguarded swimming beach on the Chesapeake Bay. Over 5 miles of hiking and biking trails are available for public use. Seasonal interpretive and educational programs focus on natural history, birding, and bay ecology. Resource management efforts include 126 acres of reforested or pollinator plantings, maritime forest, and inter-dune wetlands, annual managed deer hunts for herd control, and working closely with the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory on migratory bird habitat and counts. Annual visitation tops 300,000 guests and annual revenues at this park average around $1,500,000. The park’s yearly operating budget is about $600,000 (excludes classified staff salaries) with 7 full-time staff and around 30 wage staff operating and managing the site.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief Ranger Law Enforcement (LE) is primarily responsible for providing direct, day-to-day supervision of full-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and volunteers in the protection of state park lands, natural and cultural resources, and maintenance, operation and repair of state park structures, facilities, equipment, and utility systems. This position will assist with reports, accounts payable, procurement, cash management, visitor service functions, budget and the annual operation plan; and assist with recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling and evaluating wage employees and volunteers.

The Chief Ranger LE will assist with visitor and community service activities by meeting/greeting park guests, resolving customer complaints, registering overnight/day guests through the computer system, and working actively with internal and external groups for development of project and special events that enhance community engagement.

The Chief Ranger will ensure employee and visitor safety and resource protection by enforcing OSHA, VOSH, and other health and safety standards. The Chief Ranger LE is also responsible for providing public safety and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws as a certified conservation officer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work independently with excellent organizational skills
• Experience in grounds and building maintenance and/or vehicle and equipment maintenance, to include associated tools, vehicles, and equipment
• Demonstrated experience in managing, supervising, training staff and/or volunteers
• Experience providing customer service to diverse populations.
• Possess verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to complete the agency required Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain DCJS certification within 18 months of hire.

Additional Considerations

• Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
• Resource management experience.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations.
• Experience with procurement transactions.
• Training or certification as a sawyer, prescribed burn crew member, or pesticide technician.

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.

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 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.

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.

Ability to work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects. Ability to perform heavy manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. Valid VA Driver’s License or ability to attain required. Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certifications within 12 months of employment.

Chief Ranger LE positions require shift work which includes weekends, holidays, evenings and overtime. As a non-exempt position, Chief Ranger LE is covered by the FLSA minimum wage and overtime requirements. DCR has elected to grant overtime leave instead of overtime pay when non-exempt employees work more than 40 hours in any work week. When 80 hours of overtime leave have been accumulated, hours worked over 40 in a work week will be compensated by time & one-half rate of pay. These positions are required to wear state-issued uniforms and equipment. On occasion, critical agency business needs may require position reassignments within the salary range. Chief Ranger incumbents must reside in state-owned housing to provide security and operational efficiencies during non-working hours which requires entering into a lease agreement and acquisition of liability and personal property insurance.

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.

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.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.

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.

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

Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check including a criminal history record check.

Contact Information

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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.