Title: Chief Ranger Visitor Experience - James River State Park
State Role Title: Education Support Specialist II
Hiring Range: $42,000 - $58,800
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation
Location: James River State Park
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, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.
Virginia’s award-winning state park system, a division of DCR, 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. Our parks encompass over 75,000 acres, offering campsites, cabins, trails, shorelines, lakes and ponds, international dark sky sites, and over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.
DCR is hiring! Join us in preserving what people care about most – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. James River State Park is accepting applications for a Chief Ranger Visitor Experience.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, James River State Park features rolling grasslands, quiet forests and beautiful views, as well as 3 miles of shoreline along the James River. As the Chief Ranger Visitor Experience (CRVE), you will assist park management in directing and supervising park operations and performing administrative functions.
Primary job duties include:
- Overseeing all 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.
- Management of volunteers and special events.
- Handling administrative functions including reporting, budget tracking, program tracking, etc.; and resource management.
DCR offers paid leave; 13 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; as well as retirement plans including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. DCR is also a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer and a certified Virginia Values Veteran (V3) 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.
Minimum Qualifications
- Knowledge and/or experience managing either natural, historic, or cultural resources.
- Experience planning and/or conducting programs and or events.
- Demonstrated history of training, supervising, and evaluating staff or volunteer performance.
- Experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint).
- Valid Driver's License required.
Additional Considerations
- Experience marketing, advertising, and promoting programs and special events.
- Demonstrated experience with budget planning or expense tracking.
- Experience with developing visual communication in the form of fliers, signage, or pamphlets.
- Certification in First Aid/CPR.
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. Applications will only be accepted on-line through the State Job website. Applications must include all work history and references.
A valid Virginia Driver's License is required. Candidates will work in diverse conditions including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals and insects. Candidates must be able to perform manual labor including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and lifting up to 50 lbs. If not already certified, will be required to obtain First Aid and CPR.
This position requires shift work, which includes weekends and holidays.
Selected candidate(s) for positions within Virginia State Parks will be required to satisfactorily complete a criminal history background check.
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/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: N/A
Email: HR@dcr.virginia.gov
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.