Title: Chief Ranger Visitor Experience - First Landing State Park

State Role Title: Natural Resource Specialist II

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

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: First Landing State Park

Agency Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

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

Located along the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and the north end of Virginia Beach, First Landing State Park offers much to families and outdoor enthusiasts. The 2,888-acre park offers old maritime forests, woodlands, marshes, swamps, and sandy beaches along the Chesapeake Bay and Broad Bay. 20 housekeeping cabins, 4 yurts and 201 campsites offer overnight lodging. The park is the most visited park in the state park system with close to a million visits per year. The park also has a trail center, boat ramp, picnic shelter, camp store, amphitheater, and 20 miles of hiking trails.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief Ranger Visitor Experience (CRVE) position assists park management with directing and supervising park operations and performing administrative functions as assigned. Primary job duties include visitor services; interpretive and environmental education programming for school and tour groups along with theme-based programs about cultural heritage, history, science, and the environment; marketing of park programs; administrative functions including reporting, budget tracking, program tracking, as well as recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and managing employee performance within the interpretive department. The CRVE position requires a basic knowledge of both natural and cultural resources, interpretive skills, the ability to develop environmental and cultural/historical education and interpretive programs, and research skills necessary to the collection and protection of cultural/historical artifacts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience with managing natural, historic, and cultural resources.
• Experience with planning and conducting educational/natural resources programs and events.
• Experience with training, supervising, and evaluating staff performance.
• Experience with marketing, advertising, and promoting programs and special events.
• Experience with public speaking skills and experience effectively communicating with groups of various demographics.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Additional Considerations

• Certification through National Association of Interpretation as a Certified Interpretive Guide.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR.
• Experience with budget planning/tracking.
• Experience with designing and leading summer camp programming.
• Work experience in a history, environmental education, interpretive program management, or related field.
• Experience with designing and leading school age, SOL based programming.
• Experience with developing visual communication in the form of fliers, signage, and pamphlets.

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.

Valid Virginia driver’s license or ability to obtain required. Ability to work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals and insects. Ability to perform heavy manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. Must be able to become a facilitator of Project Wild, Project Underground, and Project Wet Training workshops. Possess or the ability to acquire Virginia State Parks Certified Interpretive Guide within 12 months of employment. Position requires shift work, including weekends and holidays.

A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

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

Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

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

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

Contact Information

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Phone: N/A

Email: N/A

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.