Park Ranger - Public Safety and Law Enforcement - New River Trail

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Wythe, Virginia, VA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position at New River Trail State Park is for a Park Ranger focused on Public Safety and Law Enforcement. The role involves serving as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer responsible for enforcing state laws and park regulations. The job offers the opportunity to work in a beautiful and serene environment within Virginia's award-winning state park system, which manages over 75,000 acres of diverse natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources. The park system includes various landscapes like mountains, oceans, rivers, lakes, and rail trails, offering numerous recreational activities and educational programs.

Requirements

• Experience working with the public and/or in customer service.
• Written and verbal skills in public speaking and communications.
• Ability to solve problems 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 obtain Virginia Law Enforcement Officer certification within 12 months of an assigned class date.
• Must complete the agency-required Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain DCJS certification within 18 months of hire.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
• Shall not have 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 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.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history records check, physical exam, and behavioral assessment.
• Must be able to perform manual labor, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Must assume responsibilities associated with carrying and using firearms.
• Must wear a uniform and law enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.

Nice To Haves

• Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
• Basic knowledge of park/recreation operations (e.g., building and grounds maintenance, resource management, etc.).
• Experience in 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.
• Certification in Search and Rescue and/or First Aid/CPR/AED.

Responsibilities

• Support park programs and services with an emphasis on public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws.
• Ensure the protection of people, property, and resources on Department of Conservation and Recreation land through specialized knowledge of public safety and law enforcement activities.
• Patrol properties via 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, violations of rules, public use, safety requirements, motor vehicle accidents, and crowd control activities.
• Respond to calls for public safety and law enforcement services.
• Proactively protect property and resources from degradation.
• Serve as a public safety resource by interacting with park visitors.
• Assist with natural resource protection, including medical services, stewardship, and orientation.
• Assist in wilderness management, boundary enforcement, and protection of natural and cultural resources.
• Support wildland fire suppression protection and wildlife management.
• Maintain park boundaries and signage, mark forest roads/trails, and complete quarterly written trail inspections and other documentation.
• Facilitate stewardship, including diagnosing basic maintenance issues and ensuring public safety through basic facilities and grounds maintenance.
• Use appropriate safety equipment.
• Supervise and train seasonal and wage staff and volunteers, and other work program participants in the maintenance of grounds, facilities, 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 or admission to all Virginia State Parks
• Overnight facility discounts (for classified, retired, and wage staff after six months of service)
• Free camping outside of the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period in sites designed for up to six people.
• Free camping Sunday night through Thursday night (excluding the night before a holiday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
• Fifty percent discount on cabins (up to 3 bedrooms) outside of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, for a maximum of 14 nights.
• Employee discounts

What This Job Offers

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