District Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - District 4

DHRM•Richmond, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hiring a District Ranger in its Office of Public Safety and Law Enforcement, assigned to District IV in Central Virginia, which includes eight state parks. The role is a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement position responsible for enforcing Commonwealth laws and Department regulations and protecting people, property, and resources on lands owned, leased, or operated by DCR. The District Ranger supports park programs and services with an emphasis on public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection. The position conducts patrols by vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation; responds to calls; and conducts initial and supplemental investigations. It may provide law enforcement coverage at parks during staffing shortages, special events, special operations, and search-and-rescue operations, and assists park-based Law Enforcement Rangers and statewide law enforcement services. Additional assignments may include field training and instruction, accreditation work, search-and-rescue coordination, wildfire response and prescribed-fire support, incident command and event planning, staff training, emergency action plan development, public outreach and recruitment, crime prevention and reduction, grant preparation, and participation in law enforcement hiring. The position operates under the Deputy Chief of Public Safety & Law Enforcement, or designee, with input and coordination from the District Manager. The job involves regular outdoor work in all seasons and exposure to weather, dust, animals, and insects. Rangers work various shifts, including weekends and holidays, and may work overtime or be on call. The incumbent must reside within the boundaries of the assigned district, carry and properly use firearms as required, and wear a uniform and law enforcement equipment. A valid driver’s license is required for official vehicle use. Full-time Law Enforcement Rangers may be eligible to take home their assigned vehicle under agency General Orders.

Requirements

Working knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices.
Experience planning and organizing complex public safety and law enforcement activities and independently developing solutions with little immediate leadership input.
Experience training, encouraging, and evaluating others.
Experience managing multiple assignments with critical deadlines while working within program goals, objectives, and priorities.
Experience making and supporting difficult or unpopular decisions and demonstrating and eliciting accountability.
Experience providing customer service in public settings.
Experience communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Experience in a law enforcement role.
Current DCJS certification, or eligibility for certification, as a law enforcement officer under Virginia Code § 9.1-101.
Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
Must possess Virginia law enforcement officer certification from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, including acceptance of responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms.
Must have no disqualifying felony conviction or plea, misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude, or misdemeanor crime-of-domestic-violence conviction; must not have a positive pre-employment drug screening result.
Must satisfactorily complete a background investigation, including a criminal history record check.
Must successfully complete a physical agility test, behavioral assessment, and physical exam establishing suitability before employment.
Must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds.
Must obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and be willing to carry and properly use firearms.
Must have a valid driver’s license to operate a state or personal vehicle for official agency business.
Must be able to work regular outdoor assignments in all seasons and shifts, including weekends and holidays, and overtime; must be available for on-call assignments as needed.
Must reside within the boundaries of District IV.

Nice To Haves

Law enforcement experience involving progressive patrol, training, and investigative responsibilities.
Working knowledge of recreational or conservation management principles and practices.
Involvement with recreational law enforcement programs or service as a Law Enforcement Ranger.
Knowledge of agency organizational functions.
Working knowledge of Division of State Parks and Natural Heritage operations.
Current DCJS Field Training Officer and General Instructor certifications, or ability to obtain them within 12 months of hire.
Experience with the National Park Service or federal government.

Responsibilities

Enforce Commonwealth laws, DCR regulations, and park rules.
Protect people, property, and resources on DCR-owned, leased, or operated lands.
Conduct law enforcement patrols by vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation.
Respond to calls for public safety and law enforcement services and conduct initial and supplemental investigations.
Provide coverage at parks during staffing shortages, special events, special operations, and search-and-rescue operations.
Serve as a resource for public safety and law enforcement matters and assist park-assigned Law Enforcement Rangers.
Support statewide law enforcement services as needed.
Serve as a Field Training Officer, General Instructor as required, and instructor in a public safety and law enforcement specialty or first aid, wilderness first aid, CPR, or AED, as assigned.
Support accreditation efforts, including coordinating proofs and reviewing standards.
Participate in working groups as an ad hoc member.
Respond to, lead, and coordinate search-and-rescue responses within the assigned district; obtain and maintain advanced SAR certification as appropriate.
Respond to and assist with wildfire incidents and support prescribed-fire operations; meet prescribed-fire crew standards as appropriate.
Assist with operational and ICS event plans, review District ICS plans, serve on the OCR SAR Team, and obtain and maintain ICS certifications.
Assist with administrative law enforcement operations, including inspections and audits outlined in general orders.
Coordinate training for non-law enforcement staff in public safety, law enforcement, and crime-prevention topics.
Help develop and review Emergency Action Plans and work with district and park management to keep plans current.
Lead and coordinate public-facing public safety and law enforcement outreach and recruitment efforts at relevant events.
Monitor and evaluate DCR properties and data for public safety needs and crime prevention and reduction opportunities, and refer issues for action or resolution.
Assist with identifying and preparing grant programs to enhance public safety and law enforcement operations.
Assist with interviewing and selecting law enforcement applicants within the district.
Work various shifts, including weekends and holidays; work overtime and serve on call as needed, responding to calls outside scheduled hours within a prescribed timeframe.
Reside within the boundaries of the assigned district.
Carry and properly use firearms as part of assigned duties and wear the required uniform and law enforcement equipment.

Benefits

Paid leave.
A minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year.
Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Retirement plans, including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer status.
Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
Overnight stay discounts for eligible DCR classified, retired, and wage staff after six months of service, including free camping outside the Memorial Day–Labor Day season at sites accommodating up to six people; free Sunday–Thursday camping during that season except the night before holidays; and 50% off qualifying cabins outside that season for up to 14 nights, subject to stated conditions.