Title: Chief Ranger Visitor Experience - Westmoreland State Park

State Role Title: Education Support Spec II

Hiring Range: $45,000 - $60,564

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Westmoreland 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.

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. Westmoreland State Park is accepting applications for a Chief Ranger Visitor Experience (CRVE) position.

As CRVE, you will:

• Assist Park management in directing and supervising park operations and performing administrative functions.
• Develop and lead interpretive and educational programs for park visitors, schools, and tour groups, as well as thematic programs on cultural heritage, science, and the environment.
• Manage special events, ensuring positive visitor experiences and community engagement.
• Manage the volunteer program, including engagement with individuals, YCC, scouts, etc.
• Handle administrative responsibilities, including reporting, budget, and program tracking, and resource management.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff within the interpretive department, managing employee performance and development.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote park programs and enhance public participation.
• Apply knowledge of natural and cultural resources to design and deliver engaging educational and interpretive programs.
• Conduct and oversee research related to the collection, documentation, and protection of cultural and historical artifacts.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; 13 paid holidays; 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.

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 natural, historic, and cultural resources
• Experience planning, developing, and conducting educational programs, natural resource programs, and special events
• Volunteer and Citizen Support Organization management experience
• Demonstrated experience training, supervising, and evaluating staff and/or volunteer performance
• Experience in marketing, advertising, and promoting programs and special events
• Strong public speaking skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and audiences
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint
• Valid Driver’s License required

Additional Considerations

• Certification through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) as a Certified Interpretive Guide and/or related certifications (e.g., First Aid/CPR)
• Work experience in history, environmental education, interpretive program management, or a related field
• Strategic visitor experience planning and interpretive program development experience
• Experience designing and leading school-age programs aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
• Experience with budget planning, tracking, and expense management
• Experience developing visual communication materials, including flyers, signage, brochures, and pamphlets
• Trail management and maintenance experience

Special Instructions

You will be provided with 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. 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 and/or resume are complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, including a criminal history record check. All employees within Virginia State Parks are required to wear state-issued uniforms.

This position may require shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

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 before 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 individuals with National Parks or Federal Service 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.