Chief Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - Leesylvania State Park

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Prince William, VA

18d • $57,200 - $75,904 • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Ranger – Public Safety and Law Enforcement (PS&LE) serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer under the Code of Virginia. The role supports Leesylvania State Park programs and services, with an emphasis on public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection, enforcing park rules, Department regulations, and state laws.

The Chief Ranger protects people, property, and natural and cultural resources on Department-owned, leased, or operated properties. Duties include patrolling by vehicle, on foot, and by other transportation; assisting with events and search-and-rescue operations; and responding to and conducting initial investigations of incidents, crimes, violations, and motor vehicle accidents. The ranger also interacts with visitors as a public safety resource.

Chief Rangers provide PS&LE oversight at their home and nearby parks, review reports as requested, and ensure compliance with applicable orders, laws, codes, and regulations. They coordinate daily law enforcement operations with the District Ranger, may serve as Acting District Ranger when requested, coordinate staffing and special operations, and prepare or coordinate event operational and security plans. The role also includes wilderness and boundary management, resource protection, support for wildland fire suppression, trail inspections and documentation, and basic facilities and grounds stewardship.

The position requires regular outdoor work in all seasons and may involve varied shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call response. The selected employee must become a Sworn Conservation Officer, maintain required law enforcement certification, obtain applicable search-and-rescue and CPR/First Aid certifications, and be willing to carry and properly use firearms. The role requires wearing a uniform and law enforcement equipment.

Requirements

• Current DCJS certification, or eligibility for certification, as a law enforcement officer under Code of Virginia § 9.1-101; the selected incumbent must possess Virginia DCJS law enforcement certification.
• Experience working with the public and/or in customer service.
• Ability to problem-solve and develop solutions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with two-way radios, electronic devices, computers, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Basic knowledge of home or grounds maintenance, such as cleaning, debris removal, or minor maintenance.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate a state or personal vehicle for official agency business.
• Must meet the stated disqualifying-conviction and pre-employment drug-screening conditions.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a criminal history record check, physical agility test, behavioral assessment, and physical exam.
• Must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds.
• Must be willing to work varied shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call assignments as required.
• Must obtain and maintain applicable search-and-rescue certifications and support SAR operations.
• Must obtain and possess knowledge of controlled burns and wildfire response as approved by leadership.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and be willing to carry and properly use firearms.
• Must wear a uniform and law enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR standards.

Nice To Haves

• Basic knowledge of park and recreation operations, such as building and grounds maintenance or resource management.
• Experience planning and conducting programs and events.
• Experience leading, directing, and training others.
• Experience reaching logical conclusions by interpreting policy and regulations.
• Experience responding to or handling emergencies.
• May be required to obtain and maintain certifications as a First Aid/CPR Instructor, CPTED certification, or similar certifications as approved by leadership.

Responsibilities

• Enforce park rules, Department regulations, and state laws while supporting park programs and services.
• Protect people, property, and natural and cultural resources on Department-owned, leased, or operated properties.
• Patrol park properties by 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, felonies, crimes, rule or safety violations, and motor vehicle accidents; provide crowd control and respond to public safety and law enforcement calls.
• Interact with park visitors as a public safety resource.
• Provide PS&LE oversight at the home park and nearby parks, review reports as requested, and ensure compliance with General Orders, laws, codes, and regulations.
• Serve as the primary contact for daily law enforcement operations with the District Ranger and serve as Acting District Ranger when requested.
• Provide ongoing law enforcement operational and statistical awareness to site Park Managers, including communicating trends or issues that may affect site operations.
• Request and coordinate site-specific law enforcement special operations and coordinate preparation of event operational and security plans for review by the District Ranger and District Manager.
• Coordinate scheduling of site Park Ranger PS&LE staff with site Park Managers and the District Ranger PS&LE to ensure appropriate coverage.
• Assist with wilderness management, boundary enforcement, protection of natural and cultural resources, wildlife management, and wildland fire suppression protection.
• Maintain park boundaries and signage, mark forest roads and trails, and complete quarterly written trail inspections and other documentation.
• Support stewardship by diagnosing basic maintenance issues and helping ensure public safety through basic facilities and grounds maintenance.
• Obtain and maintain appropriate search-and-rescue certifications and support the DCR Search and Rescue Team and Virginia Department of Emergency Management during operations in assigned parks or geographic areas.
• Obtain and maintain knowledge of controlled burns and wildfire response to provide appropriate public safety and law enforcement response.
• Obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and carry and properly use firearms as part of assigned duties.
• Respond to calls outside scheduled hours within the prescribed timeframe when serving on call.

Benefits

• Paid leave.
• A minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Retirement plans, including a 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer eligibility.
• Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• Eligible staff may receive discounts on overnight stays, including camping and cabins after six months of service.
• Full-time Law Enforcement Rangers are eligible to take home their assigned vehicle in accordance with agency General Orders.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED