Title: Chief Ranger Law Enforcement (LE) – Lake Anna State Park
State Role Title: Natural Resource Specialist II
Hiring Range:$42,000 – $58,800
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation
Location:Lake Anna 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 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
Lake Anna State Park has a beach on one of Virginia’s most popular lakes, a fishing pond accessible to children and the disabled, a bathhouse-concessions complex and a boat launch. Overnight stays are made possible by camping, six camping cabins, four yurts, two six-bedroom lodges and 10 two-bedroom cabins. Seven cabins and the lodges have views of the lake. With more than 15 miles of trails, the park offers many hiking, biking and horseback riding options. Visitor center exhibits trace the history of the area’s gold mining and highlight the park’s natural features. Nature and gold panning programs are popular, and the park offers guided tours of the Goodwin Gold Mine.
THE OPPORTUNITY
In this role, the Chief Ranger, Law Enforcement ensures public safety and protects natural and cultural resources by enforcing park rules/regulations, and state laws as a sworn conservation officer. This position will also: supervise and manage work projects were hourly and volunteer labor is needed; assist with coordinating special events/concerts; work actively with internal and external groups/programs to accomplish park natural and cultural resource goals; and provide customer service, and assist with public relations efforts to promote and enhance community engagement. The Chief Ranger LE performs OSHA site checks of facilities, conducts the semi-annual review and update of safety data sheets; completes monthly fire extinguisher and AED inspections; and completes quarterly well water sample tests.
The Chief Ranger LE will make weekly work assignments for interns, wage employees, and full-time staff; and provide supervision and mentoring to staff as needed. The Chief Ranger LE will assess hiking and biking trails and coordinate and conduct trail maintenance projects. This position 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.
This position will also have administrative responsibilities such as conducting and documenting employee evaluations, completing wage employee separation paperwork; performing and documenting procurement transactions for materials and services, assisting with inventorying materials/equipment; and have responsibility for completing/compiling/updating reports, records, logs, and calendars for park operations as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience supervising and training staff and volunteers.
- Demonstrated experience providing comprehensive services to customers.
- Knowledge of buildings and grounds equipment, materials, and tools maintenance.
- Experience managing facilities and grounds.
- Skills in effective verbal communication with diverse audiences as well as subordinate and auxiliary staff.
- Demonstrated ability to reach logical conclusions and apply policies, rules, and regulations.
Additional Considerations
- Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification
- Experience supervising/managing recreational or park operations related to volunteerism.
- Considerable experience and abilities using tool/equipment/materials used to perform facilities, vehicle and equipment maintenance.
- Knowledge of natural/cultural resource management techniques.
- Work experience and knowledge of procurement procedures and policies of the Commonwealth of Virginia (eVa, SWAM, & SPCC).
- Experience with standard business operations including retails sales and cash management.
Special Instructions
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.
All LE applicants must successfully complete physical agility and behavioral assessments.
Must possess or have the ability to obtain: a valid driver’s license; certifications in CPR, First Aid, other certifications as required.
Chief Ranger LE positions require shift work which includes weekends, holidays, and overtime. As a non-exempt position, Chief Ranger LE is covered by the FLSA minimum wage and overtime requirements and is compensated for overtime with overtime leave accruals and 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.
Contact Information
Name: Theresa Brevard
Phone: 804-786-4579
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 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.