District Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - District 6

DHRM • Richmond, VA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is hiring a District Ranger for its Office of Public Safety and Law Enforcement, assigned to District 6 in Southwestern Virginia. District 6 includes seven state parks and natural heritage preserves and provides law enforcement support to Breaks Interstate Park. The position serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer responsible for enforcing Commonwealth laws and Department regulations and protecting people, property, and resources on DCR-owned, leased, or operated land.

The Ranger provides public safety and law enforcement services through patrols by vehicle, on foot, and by other transportation; responds to calls; conducts initial and supplemental investigations; and supports park-based Law Enforcement Rangers and statewide operations. The position may assist with staffing shortages, special events and operations, search and rescue, wildfire response, and prescribed-fire operations. Other work can include training staff, supporting accreditation, planning and reviewing emergency and incident-management plans, conducting outreach and recruitment, evaluating safety needs and crime-prevention efforts, supporting grants, and participating in hiring.

The position operates under the Deputy Chief of Public Safety & Law Enforcement, or designee, with input and coordination from the District Manager. The selected incumbent must reside within the boundaries of District 6, which includes specified counties and cities in Southwest Virginia. The work involves regular outdoor duties in all seasons, variable shifts including weekends and holidays, overtime, and on-call response as needed. The role requires firearms use, a uniform and law-enforcement equipment, and physical work including frequently lifting 50 pounds.

DCR offers paid leave, at least 13 paid state holidays per year, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement plans, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Employees also receive free admission and parking at Virginia State Parks and, subject to eligibility and stated terms, discounts on overnight stays.

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.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• 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 Code of Virginia § 9.1-101.
• Valid driver’s license to operate a state or personal vehicle for official agency 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 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, including acceptance of responsibilities related to carrying and using firearms.
• Must meet the stated criminal-history and pre-employment drug-screening conditions.
• Employment is contingent on a satisfactory background investigation, including a criminal history record check.
• Must successfully complete a physical agility test, behavioral assessment, and physical exam 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 wear a uniform and law enforcement equipment according to DCR standards.
• Must work various shifts, including weekends and holidays, and overtime; on-call service and response within a prescribed timeframe may be required.
• Must reside within the boundaries of the assigned District 6 counties or cities.

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 acquire them within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Enforce Commonwealth laws and DCR regulations and protect people, property, and resources on agency properties.
• Conduct law enforcement patrols by vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation.
• Respond to public safety and law enforcement calls and conduct initial and supplemental investigations.
• Provide law enforcement staffing support at parks during staffing shortages, special events, special operations, and search and rescue operations.
• Serve as a resource on public safety and law enforcement matters and assist park-assigned Law Enforcement Rangers.
• Support statewide law enforcement services as necessary.
• Depending on assignment, serve as a Field Training Officer, General Instructor, specialty instructor, or first aid, wilderness first aid, CPR, or AED instructor.
• Participate in accreditation work, including coordinating proofs and reviewing standards.
• 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 prescribed-fire operations; meet prescribed-fire crew standards as appropriate.
• Assist with incident command system event plans and processes, review District ICS plans, serve on the OCR SAR Team, and assist with administrative law enforcement inspections and audits.
• Obtain and maintain ICS certifications.
• Coordinate public safety, law enforcement, and crime-prevention training for non-law-enforcement staff.
• Assist with developing and reviewing Emergency Action Plans and ensure current plans are maintained at district parks in coordination with district and park management.
• Lead or coordinate public-facing safety and law-enforcement outreach and recruitment efforts at relevant events.
• Monitor and evaluate agency properties and data for public safety needs and crime prevention and reduction opportunities, and refer issues for resolution 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.
• 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.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
• Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• Eligible DCR staff may receive overnight stay discounts, including specified free camping and 50% cabin discounts, subject to service and seasonal conditions.

What This Job Offers

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