Park Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - Lake Anna State Park

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 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 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, you will join a winning team and serve as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer as defined in the Code of Virginia § 9.1-101, with responsibility to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of the Department. As one of Virginia's Law Enforcement Rangers, the successful candidate supports park programs and services with special emphasis on providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws. Duties include conducting law enforcement patrols, basic investigations, and responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services. The position requires the incumbent, if not already certified through Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), to meet the Required Steps for the Initial Certification as a Virginia Law Enforcement Officer within 18 months of an assigned academy class date to maintain employment.

In addition, the Park Ranger Public Safety & Law Enforcement position assists the Chief Ranger Law Enforcement, Park Manager, and other staff in the overall management and safe operation of the park. The Park Ranger will be responsible for maintenance and cleaning of facilities and grounds along with the operation of all related tools and equipment. This position also supervises and trains seasonal and wage staff, volunteers, and other work program participants in the maintenance of grounds, facilities, and equipment. The incumbent will also assist with natural resource and trail management which includes, but is not limited to, forest, wildlife, and pest management, maintaining park boundaries and signage, maintaining forest roads/trails, and completing quarterly written trail inspections as well as other forms of written documentation.

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

• Supervisory skills to lead, direct, and train others.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer service in public settings.
• Experience in facilities and/or grounds maintenance and with the use of tools and equipment to perform tasks such as mowing, landscaping, snow removal, tree work, and trail maintenance.
• Valid Virginia driver's license is required.
• 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.
• First Aid, CPR, & AED certification.
• Previous work experience in parks and recreation or similar environment.
• Familiar with well operations and public water production.
• Training or certifications as a sawyer, prescribed burn crew, pesticide technician, and trail construction.

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.

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.

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.

The position also requires the incumbent, if not already certified through Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), to meet the required steps for the initial certification as a Virginia Law Enforcement Officer within 12 months of an assigned academy class date to maintain employment. The incumbent must be able to complete the agency required Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain DCJS certification within 18 months of hire. 

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 after being selected for 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.

Must possess or have the ability to obtain: a valid driver’s license; certifications in CPR, First Aid, or other certifications as required.

Park Ranger-Public Safety & Law Enforcement positions require shift work which includes weekends, holidays, and overtime. As a non-exempt position, the Park Ranger-PS & 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 rare occasions, critical agency business needs may require position reassignments within the salary range.