Park Ranger – Maintenance

Genesis Turfgrass LLC.; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision, and life ins.

Retirement plans (401a Cash Match, 457

PSLF employer

Free parking

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Sky Meadows State Park seeks a seasoned farm manager to lead agricultural operations, animal care, and crop production while supporting park maintenance and public education.

You will supervise seasonal staff, coordinate equipment use, and assist with trail and resource management. This full-time role requires weekend/holiday work and strong leadership abilities.

Qualifications

• Vegetable production and/or crop field management.
• Experience with animal husbandry.
• Experience using farm machinery such as tractors, planters, harvesters.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer service.
• Ability to lead, direct, and train others.
• Experience in grounds maintenance (mowing, landscaping, snow removal, tree work, trail maintenance).
• Skills in basic construction/maintenance trades (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry).
• Proficient with computers and various software applications.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor up to 50 pounds.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs and implements all agricultural operations within Sky Meadows including animal care, farm operation planning, and crop planting/production.
• Supervises and trains seasonal and wage staff, volunteers, and other work program participants in agricultural enterprises.
• Performs maintenance and cleaning of facilities, grounds, and operation of all related tools and equipment.
• Assists with natural resource and trail management and related documentation.
• Performs duties related to public interaction, education and visitor assistance.
• Educates visitors on park rules and regulations.

Skills

Vegetable production

Animal husbandry

Farm machinery

Customer service

Leadership

Grounds maintenance

Construction trades

Computers/software

Heavy lifting

Driver's license

Job description

Hiring Range: $40,000 – $56,000

Open to theGeneral Public

Job Duties:

THE AGENCY

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to work for a diverse commonwealth. DCR protects what people care about – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. We manage 43 Virginia State Parks, which has thousands of campsites, hundreds of cabins, beaches, festivals, educational programs, more than 500 miles of trails … the list goes on. If you’re someone who wants to love what you do and make a difference, DCR is the place for you!

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; 12 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

THE DIVISION

The Division of Virginia State Parks fulfills its mission “to conserve the natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth and provide recreational and educational opportunities consistent with the good stewardship of these lands, waters and facilities that leaves them unimpaired for future generations” by operating a system of 43 state parks that encompass over 75,000 acres; over 1200 buildings, almost 1700 campsites; over 300 cabins; over 700 miles of trails; nearly 500 miles of shoreline; 36 lakes and ponds; 11 swimming beaches; 4 international dark sky sites, and offers over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.

Managed by a full-time staff of 275 and a wage staff of 1000+ during the prime season, Virginia’s award-winning state park system boasts an incredible and diverse array of natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources including parks in the mountains, on the ocean, on the Chesapeake Bay, on 8 major rivers, on 4 major lakes, 4 rail trails, 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. It is our honor and privilege to play host to more than 10 million visitors annually and to offer recreational enjoyment that positively impacts local communities and the Commonwealth overall (to the tune of an economic impact that exceeds $324 million).

The PARK

Rich in history, Sky Meadows State Park provides recreational offeringsthat engagevisitors and help connect them with farming practices that formed its unique pastoral landscape. This 1,860-acre park has scenic views, woodlands and the rolling pastures of a historic farm that captures the colonial through modern life of the Crooked Run Valley. Nature and history programs are offered year-round. Hiking, picnicking, fishing and primitive hike-in camping for families and groups are favorite activities in this peaceful getaway on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park has 10.5 miles of bridle trails, 22 miles of hiking trails, 9 miles of bike trails and Appalachian Trail access.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This position will be the primary farm management position of the park and will carry additional responsibilities for general park maintenance, cleaning of facilities, grounds, and operation of all related tools and equipment. Primary job duties include:

• Plans, directs and implements all agricultural operations within Sky Meadows including animal care, farm operation planning, and crop planting/production.
• Supervises and trains seasonal and wage staff, volunteers, and other work program participants in all agricultural enterprises including the application of pesticides and fertilizers, maintenance of grounds, facilities, and equipment.
• Performs maintenance and cleaning of facilities, grounds, and operation of all related tools and equipment.
• Assists with natural resource and trail management which includes, but is not limited to forest, wildlife, and pest management; maintaining park boundaries and signage; maintaining forest roads/trails; and completing quarterly written trail inspections as well as other forms of written documentation.
• Performs duties related to public interaction, education and visitor assistance.
• Educates visitors on park rules and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Vegetable production and or crop field management.
• Experience with animal husbandry of various livestock and their individual levels of care.
• Experience using farm machinery such as tractors, planters, harvesters or heavy equipment operation.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer service.
• Ability to lead, direct, and train others.
• Experience in grounds maintenance (I.E., mowing, landscaping, snow removal, tree work, and trail maintenance).
• Skills in basic construction/maintenance trades (I.E., carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry etc.).
• Skilled in computers and the use of various software applications.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license.

Additional Considerations:

• Resource management experience including herbicide application and trail maintenance.
• Previous work experience withinparks and recreation or similar environment.
• Training or certifications as a sawyer, prescribed burn crew, mechanical repair, herbicide technician, or trail construction.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.

Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check including a criminal history record check.

Pesticide applicator’s license or ability to obtain required. Must be able to work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals and insects.

This position requires shift work, which includes weekends and holidays. In addition, this position will serve in an on-call capacity, as needed, to provide security and operational efficiencies. Responding to calls outside scheduled hours requires a response within a prescribed timeframe.

DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.

Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.

DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service) are entitled to overnight facility discounts such as:

• 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 prior to 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. All reservations require a two-night minimum. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one night yurt stays only receive a 25% discount.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer.