Park Manager - Holliday Lake State Park

Title: Park Manager - Holliday Lake State Park

State Role Title: Natural Resource Manager II

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

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Holliday Lake State Park

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants will have to re-apply. 

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 42 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 42 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 8 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

Holliday Lake State Park was built in the 1930s by the Works Projects Administration (WPA) and originally operated as The Surrender Grounds Forest, a day use recreation area, by the US Forest Service. In 1972, when campsites were built, it became a state park. Holliday Lake State Park nestled deep in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Fishing for largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill is popular. Swimming at the park’s beach and the “Critter Hole” play area are visitor favorites. The park has several hiking trails and the Carter Taylor Multi-use Trail, located within the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, may be accessed by hikers on Lakeshore Trail or by bicyclists along State Park Road at our entrance sign. Visitors enjoy its campgrounds, picnic shelters, playgrounds, snack bar, gift shop and boat ramp. The park rents canoes, kayaks, jon boats, stand-up paddleboards and paddle boats.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This position 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.

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.   

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 leading individuals, small groups, and work units in accomplishing programmatic functions in a park or similar setting.
• Experience with custodial, building, facility, grounds, and utility system maintenance and diagnosing breakdowns and disruptions in buildings, facilities, grounds, and systems that may impact public safety and/or customer service.
• Knowledge of how to prioritize operations and staffing based on seasonal needs.
• Experience with budget planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of Site Safety Operations to include developing and implementing Emergency Response Plans.
• Experience with interpretation in a park and/or natural, cultural, or recreational operational setting.

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of capital development planning in a park setting.
• Knowledge and experience implementing park policies and rules that directly impact visitors.
• Advanced experience managing partnerships with Friends groups, Foundations, or similar organizations.
• Experience with business management to include revenue generation.

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.

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. Position requires shift work, including weekends and holidays.

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.