Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement - Clinch River State Park

Title: Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement - Clinch River State Park

State Role Title: Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement - Clinch River State Park

Hiring Range: $42,000 - $58,800

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Clinch River State Park

Agency Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

THE AGENCY
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 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; and 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. It is our honor and privilege to play host to more than 8 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
Clinch River State Park will be the first “blue way” state park in Virginia and will be centered around the Clinch River, a tremendous natural asset with globally significant biodiversity. The park is under-development and will consist of two, smaller (250-400 acres) anchor properties connected by multiple canoe/kayak access points along a 24 mile stretch of the Clinch River. The park’s anchor properties and launch points will comprise a “string of pearls” along the Clinch River for outdoor enthusiasts to access the river, participate in educational programming about the rivers ecological diversity, and enjoy the beauty of what The Nature Conservancy has deemed “One of the Last, Great Places.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The incumbent will assist division and park management in the planning, development and construction of properties that will become the “String of Pearls” for one of Virginia’s newest State Parks, Clinch River. The incumbent will perform grounds, trails and facilities development; construction, management and maintenance of assigned construction/site improvement projects, and natural resource management; and oversee staff in the daily maintenance & upkeep of park grounds, trails and facilities. The Chief Ranger ensures public safety and protects natural and cultural resources by enforcing park rules/regulations, and state laws as a sworn conservation officer.

This position will also assist in the recruitment and supervision of wage staff and volunteers, where work project and programming labor is needed; coordinate development and presentation of public interpretive education programs and special events; work actively with internal and external groups/programs to accomplish park natural and cultural resource goals; provide customer service and assist with public relations efforts to promote and enhance community engagement. The Chief Ranger will also ensure employee and visitor s