District Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - District 4

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; Richmond (VA); Sur place; USD 70 000 - 80 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks a District Ranger – Public Safety & Law Enforcement for District IV in Central Virginia. The role administers sworn law enforcement, emergency response, and public safety services across eight parks, with patrols, investigations, and SAR support.

Requires DCJS certification and strong leadership in safety operations. The position includes ensuring public safety, enforcing state laws, coordinating with district management, and supporting

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices.
• Experience planning and organizing a complex array of public safety and law enforcement actions and developing independent solutions.
• Experience training, encouraging, and evaluating others.
• Experience effectively addressing multiple assignments with critical deadlines and priorities.
• Experience making and supporting difficult and/or unpopular decisions to demonstrate accountability.
• Experience providing customer service in public settings.
• Experience communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• 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.

Responsabilités

• Enforce laws and park regulations within the district.
• Coordinate public safety and law enforcement activities.
• Respond to public safety incidents and conduct initial investigations.
• Assist with training and accreditation activities.
• Support SAR and wildfire response operations as needed.
• Collaborate with park management to develop safety plans.

Connaissances

Law enforcement principles

Public safety planning

Training others

Multitask management

Decision making

Customer service

Communication

Relationship building

Law enforcement experience

DCJS certification

Formation

High school diploma or GED

DCJS certification (Law Enforcement Officer)

Description du poste

Title: District Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - District 4

State Role Title:Law Enforcement Officer II

Hiring Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location:Dept Conservation & Recreation

Agency Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, providing access for outdoor recreation, strengthening communities’ flood resilience, and protecting what Virginians care about: clean water, parks, natural habitat, and open spaces. Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, DCR touches all Virginians’ lives. DCR offers 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); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer. DCR’s Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR’s efforts to CONSERVE. Join our Office of Public Safety and Law Enforcement as a District Ranger, assigned to District IV, which comprises eight parks in the Central Virginia region. District 4 (Central Virginia) is one of six Virginia State Parks districts and contains eight parks located across the central region of the state. Spanning portions of the Piedmont Region from Chesterfield County to Prince Edward County, the district features lakes, multi-use trail systems, and numerous Civil War historic sites, including battlefields and a Virginia Historic Landmark. Its parks are among the most visited recreation destinations in Virginia, offering opportunities for hiking, cycling, boating, swimming, fishing, camping, community events, and learning about Virginia’s history. Supported by 46 full-time and 239 wage staff positions, District IV blends natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and rich cultural history in the heart of Virginia. This position serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer as defined in the Code of Virginia § 9.1-101, with responsibility to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of the Department. As one of Virginia's Law Enforcement Rangers, the successful candidate supports park programs and services with special emphasis on providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws. Duties include conducting law enforcement patrols, basic investigations, and responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services. Operating under the Deputy Chief of Public Safety & Law Enforcement, or designee, with input and coordination with the District Manager, the primary purpose of this position is to 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. This will include providing law enforcement services by patrolling agency properties in a vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation. This will also include assisting with covering law enforcement staffing at specific parks in the event of staffing shortages, special events, special operations, and search and rescue operations. Additionally, this position will respond to and conduct initial and supplemental investigations of incidents, serve as a resource for public safety and law enforcement matters, assist Law Enforcement Rangers assigned to specific parks with law enforcement functions, and support the provision of statewide law enforcement services as necessary. Additional duties can include, but may not be limited to:

• Serving as a Field Training Officer, a General Instructor (as required), and as an instructor in at least one public safety and law enforcement specialty (i.e., firearms, defensive tactics, driving, etc.), or as an instructor for Basic First Aid/Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED.


• Serving as part of the Accreditation Team and supporting accreditation efforts (e.g., coordinating proofs, reviewing standards, etc.).


• Serving as an ad hoc member of working groups.


• Responding to, leading, and coordinating SAR (Search and Rescue) responses within the assigned district. Employee will be expected to obtain and maintain advanced SAR certification as appropriate.


• Responding to and assisting in the management of wildfire response incidents and supporting prescribed fire operations as necessary. Employee will be expected to meet OCR standards for prescribed fire crew members as appropriate.


• Assisting with the development of operational/ICS event plans and the I C S process, including reviewing District I C S plans, serving as a team member on the OCR SAR Team; assisting with administrative law enforcement operations including inspections and audits outlined in general orders. Employee will be expected to obtain and maintain I C S certifications.


• Coordinating the training of non-law enforcement staff in public safety, law enforcement, and crime prevention‑related topics (e.g., personal safety, identification of counterfeit currency, fraud, and theft prevention).


• Assisting with the development and reviewing Emergency Action Plans and working with District Management and Park Management to ensure that accurate, up‑to‑date EAPs are maintained at all district state parks.


• Undertaking, leading, and coordinating public‑facing public safety & law enforcement outreach and recruitment efforts in conjunction with Department, Division, Park, or other identified specific public events.


• Monitoring and evaluating OCR properties and data for public safety needs, as well as responsive and proactive crime prevention and crime reduction efforts, and making referrals for actions and resolutions as appropriate.


• Assisting with the identification and preparation of grant programs to enhance public safety and law enforcement operations.


• Assisting with the interview and selection of applicants for law enforcement positions within the district.

Minimum Qualifications

• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices.


• Experience planning and organizing a complex array of public safety and law enforcement actions and developing independent solutions to public safety and law enforcement issues with little immediate leadership input.


• Experience training, encouraging, and evaluating others.


• Experience effectively addressing multiple assignments with critical deadlines and working within program goals, objectives, and priorities.


• Experience making and supporting difficult and/or unpopular decisions to both demonstrate and elicit accountability.


• Experience providing customer service in public settings.


• Experience communicating effectively verbally and in writing.


• 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” as defined by the Code of Virginia § 9.1-101

Additional Considerations

• Law enforcement experience that includes 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.


• A working knowledge of Division of State Parks and Natural Heritage operations will enhance the District Park Ranger – Public Safety and Law Enforcement ability to respond to visitor, staff, and resource needs.


• Current certification as a DCJS Field Training Officer and General Instructor, or ability to acquire within 12 months of hire.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.Applicants must submit an online application to be considered for this position. DCR does not accept applications, résumés, cover letters, or other materials in any format outside of the online system. Please ensure your online application and/or résumé are complete and accurately reflect your duties, skills, and relevant work experience. 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. DCR encourages applications from minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those with experience with the National Park Service or the federal government. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO/AA/TT). The position will be required to reside within the boundaries of the assigned district. For District IV, these counties include Goochland, Henrico, Richmond City, Powhatan, Cumberland, Amelia, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Brunswick, Greensville, City of Emporia, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Prince Edward, Nottoway, City of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Appomattox. Full-time Law Enforcement Rangers are eligible to take home their assigned vehicle in accordance with agency General Orders. This position requires the incumbent to be a sworn law enforcement officer. Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school graduate or possess a GED; possess 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. Successful applicants 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 a 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.

Join us and make Virginia’s great outdoors part of your life — it’s one of the many ways we show our appreciation for the people who make DCR’s mission possible!

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service‑Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.