State Parks - Powhatan State Park - Natural Resource Spec II - Closes on 10/25/2026

Virginia State Parks; Iowa; On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

Vacation and leave

Retirement plan

Disability plan

Life insurance

Deferred compensation

Job summary

Virginia State Parks is seeking a Park Ranger at Powhatan State Park to maintain and improve facilities, grounds, and systems. The role includes supervising staff and volunteers, safeguarding guests, and delivering park services.

This full-time, salaried position offers healthcare plans, vacation, family and sick leave, retirement and disability plans, employer-paid life insurance, and deferred compensation. Closes 10/25/2026.

Qualifications

• Experience leading, directing, or training staff, volunteers, or work crews.
• Experience performing grounds or facility maintenance (mowing, landscaping, trail upkeep, etc.).
• Working knowledge of basic construction and maintenance trades (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry).
• Experience performing vehicle or equipment maintenance (small engines, mowers, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfort with computers and software (email, incident reporting, timekeeping).
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, improve, and protect park facilities, grounds, systems, resources, vehicles and equipment.
• Supervise wage employees and volunteers; perform or assign maintenance work.
• Ensure guest safety and satisfaction with clean, safe facilities; provide information to guests.

Skills

Leadership

Grounds maintenance

Trades knowledge

Vehicle maintenance

Verbal & written communication

Computer use

Driver's license

Job description

Job openings at DCR

DCR is looking for talented people to fill positions listed below.

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 space.

Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation touches all Virginians' lives.

Hiring Range

$42,000 - $57,680

Position

Park Ranger

Location

State Parks - Powhatan State Park

Closes On

10/25/2026

Full-time (salaried) employment offers

• A choice of healthcare plans.
• Vacation, family, personal and sick leave.
• A retirement plan.
• A sickness and disability plan.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Deferred compensation with employer match.

Benefits

• 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.

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.

Job Duties

The Park Ranger maintains, improves, and protects park facilities, grounds, systems, resources, vehicles and equipment by performing and supervising maintenance projects. This involves using skills in a variety of trades including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, landscaping, small engine repair, and systems troubleshooting. The Park Ranger will supervise wage employees, volunteers and perform alternative labor in the performance of these operations. The position provides user safety and satisfaction by providing clean, safe and well-maintained facilities and grounds; providing good information to guests; and assisting with guest services. The Park Ranger assists with other park operations by delivering specialized program area skills and procuring materials, services or supplies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience leading, directing, or training staff, volunteers, or work crews.
• Experience performing grounds or facility maintenance (mowing, landscaping, tree work, trail upkeep, or similar). Demonstrated experience using hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment to perform repairs or routine upkeep.
• Working knowledge of basic construction and maintenance trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, or masonry.
• Experience performing basic vehicle or equipment maintenance (small engines, mowers, or utility vehicles).
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Experience using computers and software applications (email, incident reporting, timekeeping, or similar).
• Position requires possession of a valid driver’s license.

Additional Considerations

• Experience operating large equipment (tractors, skid steers, zero-turn mowers, compact utility loaders, or similar).
• Experience overseeing workplace safety practices, including OSHA considerations or conducting safety briefings.
• Experience with herbicide application, natural resource management, or trail construction/repair.
• Experience supervising or coordinating maintenance, grounds keeping, construction, or related work in recreational or facility settings.
• Certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED (or ability to obtain).

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, all new hires must complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Executive branch agencies are required to use the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Certain positions require a criminal background check, a conflict of interest financial statement or both. Law-enforcement positions require a fingerprint-based FBI investigation. DCR is an EEO/AA/ADA Employer.

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).

Explore Virginia State Parks - On Us!

As a DCR employee, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to the natural beauty and outdoor experiences that make Virginia's State Parks extraordinary - with free admission, special discounts, and perks that turn every visit into something memorable.

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!