Park Ranger Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Gloucester, VA

8d • $42,000 - $57,680 • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking a Park Ranger - Public Safety and Law Enforcement for Machicomoco State Park. This position serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer responsible for enforcing Commonwealth laws and Department regulations. The role involves providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection within the park, ensuring the safety of people, property, and resources. The Park Ranger will patrol park properties, assist with special events and search and rescue operations, respond to and investigate incidents, and serve as a public safety resource for visitors.

Requirements

• Experience working with the public and/or in customer service.
• Written and verbal skills to include 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).
• Requires the incumbent, if not already certified through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS), to meet the required steps for the initial certification as a Virginia Law Enforcement Officer within 12 months of an assigned class date to maintain employment.
• Position requires completing the agency Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain DCJS certification within 18 months of hire.
• Due to Law Enforcement requirements, the successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen, be at least 21 years old, and be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
• Work requires exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects.
• Successful candidate must be able to perform manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Successful candidate must obtain certifications in CPR and First Aid and accepts responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms and will be required to wear a uniform and related law enforcement equipment and comply with the DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.
• A valid driver’s license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting official business on behalf of the agency.
• Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school graduate or possess a GED; possess or be able to obtain certification as a LE Officer in VA from the VA Dept. of Criminal Justice Service, which includes accepting responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms.
• Shall not have a 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 a 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.
• Employment in all law enforcement positions within DCR is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation, including a criminal history record check.
• Employment conditions for this position require the successful completion of a physical agility test and a behavioral assessment.
• Also, successful completion of a physical exam is required to be identified as suitable for the position before beginning employment.
• The position involves regular outdoor work in all seasons, with exposure to weather, dust, animals, and insects.
• Candidates must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds.
• The selected applicant will be required to obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and must be willing to carry and properly use firearms as part of assigned duties.
• This role also requires wearing uniform and law enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.
• Law Enforcement Rangers are required to work various shifts, which include weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• As needed, incumbents will serve in an on-call capacity to provide security and operational efficiencies.
• Responding to calls outside scheduled hours requires a response 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

• Support Machicomoco State Park programs and services with special emphasis on providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws.
• Ensure the protection of people, property, and resources on land owned, leased, or operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation through articulated and displayed specialized knowledge of public safety and law enforcement activities.
• Patrol properties in a 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, and violations of rules, public use, safety requirements, and motor vehicle accidents, crowd control activities, responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services, and proactively protecting property resources from all forms of degradation.
• Serve as a public safety resource by interacting with park visitors.
• Assist with natural resource protection, which includes medical services, as well as facilitating stewardship and orientation.
• Assist in wilderness management, boundary enforcement, and protection of natural and cultural resources (e.g., wildlife, plants, archaeological sites, historic buildings).
• Support wildland fire suppression protection, including such duties as wildlife management.
• Maintain Park boundaries and signage, marking forest roads/trails, and completing quarterly written trail inspections as well as other forms of written documentation.
• Facilitate stewardship (e.g., diagnosing basic maintenance issues and ensuring public safety through basic facilities and grounds maintenance) and use of appropriate safety equipment and equipment.
• Supervise and train seasonal and wage staff and volunteers, and other work program participants in the maintenance of grounds, facilities, and equipment as appropriate.

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 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.

What This Job Offers

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