Chief Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Prince William, VA

3d•$57,200 - $75,904•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking a Chief Ranger - Public Safety and Law Enforcement for Leesylvania State Park. This role involves serving as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer responsible for enforcing state laws and departmental regulations. The position supports park programs and services by ensuring public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection. The Chief Ranger will patrol properties, assist with special events and search and rescue operations, and conduct initial investigations of incidents. This role also includes providing oversight at assigned parks, serving as a contact for daily law enforcement operations, and coordinating special operations and security plans. Additionally, the Chief Ranger will assist in wilderness management, boundary enforcement, protection of natural and cultural resources, and wildland fire suppression support. Responsibilities also include maintaining park boundaries and signage, completing trail inspections, and facilitating stewardship through basic maintenance and safety equipment use.

Requirements

Experience working with the public and/or customer service experience.
Ability to problem-solve and develop solutions.
Ability to work with teams or independently with minimal supervision.
Familiarity with 2-way radios, electronic devices, and computers, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Basic knowledge of home/grounds maintenance (e.g., cleaning, debris removal, or minor home maintenance).
Must possess and maintain a Law Enforcement Officer certification through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
Must possess and maintain a Law Enforcement Officer certification through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
A valid driver’s license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting official business on behalf of the agency.
The selected incumbent must become a Sworn Conservation Officer.
Must possess certification as a law enforcement officer in Virginia through DCJS.
Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
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.
Employment in all law enforcement positions within DCR is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation, including a criminal history record check.
Employment conditions for this position require the successful completion of a physical agility test and a behavioral assessment.
Also, successful completion of a physical exam is required to be identified as suitable for the position before beginning employment.
The position involves regular outdoor work in all seasons, with exposure to weather, dust, animals, and insects.
Candidates must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds.
The selected applicant will be required to obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and must be willing to carry and properly use firearms as part of assigned duties.
This role also requires wearing uniform and law enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.
Law Enforcement Rangers are required to work various shifts, which include weekends, holidays, and overtime.
As needed, incumbents will serve in an on-call capacity to provide security and operational efficiencies.
Responding to calls outside scheduled hours requires a response within a prescribed timeframe.

Nice To Haves

Will be expected to obtain and maintain appropriate SAR certification(s) and support the DCR Search and Rescue (SAR) Team/Virginia Department of Emergency Management during operations at their group of assigned parks or a geographic area.
Will be expected to obtain and possess knowledge of controlled burns and wildfire response to provide appropriate public safety and law enforcement response at their assigned park(s) or a geographic area as approved by leadership of the Division of State Parks and OPSLE.
May also be required to obtain and maintain certifications to serve as First/Aid CPR Instructor, or obtain CPTED certification, or other similar activities as approved by leadership of the Division of State Parks and OPSLE.
Basic knowledge of park/recreation operations (e.g., building and grounds maintenance, resource management, etc.).
Experience planning and conducting programs and events.
Experience in leading, directing, and training others.
Experience reaching logical conclusions from interpreting policy and regulations.
Experience in responding to or handling emergencies.
DCR encourages applications from minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those with experience with the National Park Service or the federal government.

Responsibilities

Support Leesylvania State Park programs and services with special emphasis on providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws.
Ensure the protection of people, property, and resources on land owned, leased, or operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation through articulated and displayed specialized knowledge of public safety and law enforcement activities.
Patrol properties in a vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation.
Assist with special events and search and rescue operations.
Respond to and conduct initial investigations of incidents, including felonies, crimes, and violations of rules, public use, safety requirements, and motor vehicle accidents, crowd control activities, responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services, and proactively protecting property resources from all forms of degradation.
Serve as a public safety resource by interacting with park visitors.
Provide PSLE oversight at home and nearby parks as required, including reviewing reports as requested and ensuring compliance with General Orders, laws, codes, and regulations.
Serve as primary contact for daily LE operations with District Ranger, serving as Acting District Ranger when requested.
Provides ongoing law enforcement operational awareness and statistical awareness to the site PM for assigned sites, ensuring PM awareness of trends or issues that could impact site operations.
Requests and coordinates site-specific LE special operations proactively and in response to issues, and coordinates preparation of assigned site event operational/security plans for routing to District Ranger and DM.
Coordinates scheduling of site Park Ranger PSLE with site PMs and District Ranger PSLE to ensure appropriate coverage.
Assists in wilderness management, boundary enforcement, protection of natural and cultural resources (e.g., wildlife, plants, archaeological sites, historic buildings), and supporting wildland fire suppression protection, including such duties as wildlife management.
Maintains Park boundaries and signage, marking forest roads/trails, and completing quarterly written trail inspections as well as other forms of written documentation.
Facilitates stewardship (e.g., diagnosing basic maintenance issues and ensuring public safety through basic facilities and grounds maintenance) and use of appropriate safety equipment and equipment.

Benefits

Paid leave
A minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
Retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions)
Federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
Overnight stay discounts for DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service): Free camping outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day season for sites accommodating up to six people.
Free Sunday–Thursday camping (excluding the night before holidays) during the Memorial Day–Labor Day period.
50% off cabins (up to three bedrooms) outside the Memorial Day–Labor Day season for up to 14 nights. Two nights minimum required. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one-night yurt stays receive a 25% discount.
Full-time Law Enforcement Rangers are eligible to take home their assigned vehicle in accordance with agency General Orders.