Title: Chief Ranger – Law Enforcement – Shenandoah River State Park
State Role Title: Natural Resource Specialist II
Hiring Range: $40,000 – $60,289
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation
Location: Shenandoah River State Park
Agency Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public – G
Job Duties
This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants will not need to reapply to be considered for this position.
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
This park is on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and has more than 1,600 acres along 5.2 miles of shoreline. The park opened in June 1999. In addition to the meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. A large riverside picnic area, picnic shelters, trails, river access and a car-top boat launch make this a popular destination for families, anglers and canoeists. Twelve riverfront tent campsites, a campground with water and electric sites, cabins, camping cabins and a group campground are available. With more than 24 miles of trails, the park has plenty of options for hiking, biking, horseback riding and adventure.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The primary purpose of the Chief Ranger is to provide direct, day-to-day supervision of paid permanent and wage employees in the protection of state park lands, natural and cultural resources, and the maintenance, operation, and repair of state park structures, facilities, equipment, and utility systems.
The Chief Ranger also ensures public safety and resource protection by enforcing park rules/regulations, and state laws through use of sworn conservation officer powers.
Minimum Qualifications
As it relates to MINIMUM qualifications, successful applicants must highlight in their applications:
- Supervision and/or management experience.
- Experience in team-based work environments.
- Skills performing/leading in areas such as plumbing, carpentry, painting, grounds-keeping tasks.
- Experience providing customer service to diverse audiences.
- Experience in evaluating situations, applying rules and guidelines, determining, and carrying out appropriate course of action to achieve desired results.
Additional Considerations
- The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology or Management, Park Management, Outdoor Recreation, Criminal Justice or a closely related field and/or several years of job-related work experience.
- Demonstrated work history or volunteer experience in a parks and recreation or similar environment.
- Knowledge and experience leading and overseeing volunteers and projects.
- Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
- Experience with project planning and budget management.
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.
State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 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. 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. 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.
As a condition of employment, this position provides security and operational efficiencies to the property of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation-responding to calls outside normally scheduled business hours and handling activities normally reserved for residentially-based staff. Because Agency-owned housing is not currently available, a supplement will be provided to compensate for these additional duties and responsibilities. However, it should be noted that, as a condition of employment, incumbent’s primary residence must be close enough to the park to be able to respond within a reasonable time when in on-call status. The employee will be required to move into Agency provided housing once it becomes available.
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; 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.
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.
Contact Information
Name: Amber K. Wiley
Phone: 804-510-3420
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.