Chief Ranger Law Enforcement - Westmoreland State Park

Title: Chief Ranger Law Enforcement - Westmoreland State Park

Hiring Range: $40,000 - $60,289

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Westmoreland 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 41 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 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 41 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; and 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
On the Potomac River’s Northern Neck, Westmoreland State Park offers many opportunities for family fun. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a bathhouse, meeting area, snack bar, camp store and power-boat ramp. You’ll also find a visitor center, campgrounds, camping cabins, cabins, a playground, a fishing pier, boat rentals and 6 miles of trails

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Chief Ranger Law Enforcement (LE) assists in the overall management of the park by recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising classified and seasonal staff, volunteers, and other work program participants. The Chief Ranger assists other park management staff in the overall management of: maintenance of buildings and grounds, including all related tools and equipment; effective operation of all facilities, and the delivery of a variety of programs that promote the natural, environmental, cultural, and historical assets of the park.

With the use of Conservation Officer Powers, the Chief Ranger LE supports park programs and services with special emphasis on providing for public safety and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws.

Minimum Qualifications:

As it relates to MINIMUM qualifications, successful applicants will highlight in their applications:

• Implementing the operations and marketing of park interpretive programs to include verbally delivering information about the park’s natural and historical features to the public, and assisting with advertising, promotion, and outreach activities for interpretive programs.
• Ability to develop and present curriculum for education programming, school field trips and other education-focused tours and workshops.
• Experience with public speaking and ability to plan, organize, and conduct tours.
• Experience providing customer service to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated skills in effective verbal communications with diverse audiences as well as subordinate and auxiliary staff.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and training staff, including the ability to provide performance feedback, on topics such as: the proper identification of native flora and fauna, craft projects, development of Special Events and Programs.
• Skill in leading and ensuring quality of work.
• Demonstrated ability to reach logical conclusions, apply policies, rules, and regulations.
• Skill in leading work related to the interpretation, conservation, preservation, and rehabilitation of natural, cultural, or historic resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

As it relates to PREFERRED qualifications, successful applicants will highlight:

• Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
• Demonstrated work history or volunteer experience in a parks and recreation or similar environment.
• Resource management experience.
• Knowledge of State Government procurement policies and practices.
• Bachelor’s degree in resource management, wildlife management, and/or environmental or natural science or equivalent work experience.
• Skill in leading work related to the interpretation, conservation, preservation and rehabilitation of natural, cultural, or historic resources.
• Previous experience managing project budgets. Prior experience or education in biology, history, parks and recreation or wildlife studies.

Special Instructions: 

When on-call, Chief Ranger incumbents must reside in state-owned/provided 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.

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

Valid VA Driver’s License or ability to attain required. Fingerprint-based criminal history record check, references, work history and DMV driving record will be verified prior to 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. Ability to obtain First Aid, CPR certifications within 12 months of employment.

State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:59 pm on the closing date through the Recruitment Management System (RMS). State applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax, or in person will not be considered. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS Account to check the status of your application for this position. 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.

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

Contact Information:

Name: Theresa Brevard

Phone: 804-786-4579

Email: theresa.brevard@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 Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.