Park Ranger Public Safety & Law Enforcement

DHRM•Gloucester, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Park Ranger – Public Safety and Law Enforcement (PS&LE) position serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer responsible for enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This role supports park programs and services with an emphasis on public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection. The position involves patrolling properties, assisting with special events and search and rescue operations, and responding to and investigating incidents. The Park Ranger will also serve as a public safety resource by interacting with park visitors.

Requirements

Experience working with the public and/or in customer service.
Written and verbal skills, including public speaking communication.
Experience solving problems and developing solutions.
Experience working 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 be a U.S. citizen.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
Must obtain certifications in CPR and First Aid.
Must accept responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms.
Must wear a uniform and related law enforcement equipment and comply with DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.
Must be able to perform manual labor including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 pounds.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Must be or become a Sworn Conservation Officer.
Must successfully complete a physical agility test.
Must successfully complete a behavioral assessment.
Must successfully complete a physical exam.
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 be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds.
Must be willing to carry and properly use firearms as part of assigned duties.
Must work various shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overtime.
Must serve in an on-call capacity as needed.
Must respond to calls outside scheduled hours within a prescribed timeframe.

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.
Experience in responding to or handling emergency situations.

Responsibilities

Enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws.
Ensuring the protection of people, property, and resources.
Patrolling properties in a vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation.
Assisting with special events and search and rescue operations.
Responding to and conducting initial investigations of incidents, including felonies, crimes, and violations of rules, public use, and safety requirements.
Conducting investigations of motor vehicle accidents.
Performing crowd control activities.
Responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services.
Proactively protecting property and resources from degradation.
Serving as a public safety resource by interacting with park visitors.
Assisting with natural resource protection, including medical services.
Facilitating stewardship and orientation.
Assisting in wilderness management, boundary enforcement, and protection of natural and cultural resources.
Supporting wildland fire suppression protection and wildlife management.
Maintaining park boundaries and signage.
Marking forest roads/trails.
Completing quarterly written trail inspections and other forms of written documentation.
Diagnosing basic maintenance issues and ensuring public safety through basic facilities and grounds maintenance.
Using appropriate safety equipment.
Supervising and training seasonal and wage staff and volunteers in the maintenance of grounds, facilities, and 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)
Federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
Overnight stay discounts for DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service): Free camping outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day season for sites accommodating up to six people.
Free Sunday–Thursday camping (excluding the night before holidays) during the Memorial Day–Labor Day period.
50% off cabins (up to three bedrooms) outside the Memorial Day–Labor Day season for up to 14 nights. Two nights minimum required.
Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one night yurt stays receive a 25% discount.