District Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - District 6

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

2d•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hiring a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer for its Office of Public Safety and Law Enforcement, assigned to District 6 in Southwestern Virginia. The district includes seven state parks and natural heritage preserves, and the role also provides law enforcement support for Breaks Interstate Park. The selected incumbent must reside within the assigned district boundaries. The position protects people, property, and natural resources on lands owned, leased, or operated by DCR. Working under the Deputy Chief of Public Safety & Law Enforcement, or designee, and coordinating with the District Manager, the District Ranger enforces Commonwealth laws and DCR regulations, conducts patrols and investigations, responds to public safety calls, and supports park programs and services. Patrols may be conducted by vehicle, on foot, or by other transportation modes. The position may help cover staffing shortages, special events and operations, and search-and-rescue responses across the district and statewide. Additional duties may include field training and instruction, accreditation work, participation in working groups, coordinating search-and-rescue responses, assisting with wildfire response and prescribed-fire operations, supporting incident command planning and law enforcement inspections, training non-law-enforcement staff, maintaining emergency action plans, conducting public safety outreach and recruitment, evaluating crime-prevention needs, assisting with grant programs, and participating in law-enforcement hiring. The role involves regular outdoor work in all seasons and exposure to weather, dust, animals, and insects. It requires physically demanding activity, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds. The incumbent must wear a uniform and law-enforcement equipment, carry and properly use firearms, obtain CPR and First Aid certifications, and complete required physical agility, behavioral, physical examination, and background screening. Rangers work various shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overtime, and may be on call with a required response within a prescribed timeframe. DCR offers paid leave, at least 13 paid state holidays per year, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement plans, and eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. DCR employees also receive free parking and admission to Virginia State Parks and may qualify for camping and cabin discounts.

Requirements

Working knowledge of law-enforcement principles and practices.
Experience planning and organizing complex public-safety and law-enforcement activities and developing independent solutions with little immediate leadership input.
Experience training, encouraging, and evaluating others.
Experience handling 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.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Experience in a law-enforcement role.
Current DCJS certification, or eligibility for certification, as a law-enforcement officer under Code of Virginia § 9.1-101.
Valid driver's license required to operate a state or personal vehicle for official business.
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 through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, including acceptance of responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms.
Must meet the stated disqualifying-conviction and pre-employment drug-screening conditions.
Must successfully complete a background investigation, physical agility test, behavioral assessment, and physical examination.
Must obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and be willing to carry and properly use firearms.
Must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds.
Must wear a uniform and law-enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR standards.
Must work various shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overtime; may be required to serve on call and respond within a prescribed timeframe.
Must reside within the District 6 boundaries specified in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Law-enforcement experience including progressive patrol, training, and investigative responsibilities.
Working knowledge of recreational or conservation management principles and practices.
Involvement with recreational law-enforcement programs or experience serving 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 acquire them within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

Enforce Commonwealth laws and DCR regulations on lands owned, leased, or operated by the Department.
Conduct law-enforcement patrols by vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation.
Conduct initial and supplemental investigations and respond to public safety and law-enforcement calls.
Provide law-enforcement staffing support 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/law-enforcement specialty or first aid/CPR subject, as applicable.
Participate in accreditation efforts and working groups.
Respond to, lead, and coordinate search-and-rescue responses within the assigned district; obtain and maintain advanced SAR certification as appropriate.
Assist with wildfire response and prescribed-fire operations and meet applicable crew standards.
Assist with operational and ICS event plans, review district ICS plans, serve on the OCR SAR Team, and assist with inspections and audits.
Coordinate public safety, law-enforcement, and crime-prevention training for non-law-enforcement staff.
Help develop and review Emergency Action Plans and ensure district park plans remain current.
Lead or coordinate public-facing safety and law-enforcement outreach and recruitment efforts.
Monitor and evaluate properties and data for safety needs and crime-prevention or crime-reduction efforts, and recommend actions as appropriate.
Assist in identifying and preparing grant programs to enhance public safety and law-enforcement operations.
Assist with interviewing and selecting law-enforcement applicants within the district.

Benefits

Paid leave.
At least 13 paid state holidays per year.
Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Retirement plans, including a 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law-enforcement positions.
Federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer.
Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
Eligible staff may receive camping and cabin discounts after six months of service.