Title: Park Ranger Maintenance - Smith Mountain Lake State Park

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

Hiring Range: $42,000 - $57,680

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Agency Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is hiring! (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 habitats, and open spaces.

Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, DCR touches all Virginians’ lives.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park is accepting applications for a Park Ranger Maintenance position. As the Park Ranger Maintenance, you will join an exceptional team and be responsible for supervising maintenance operations to ensure facilities and grounds are safe and meet current standards. In this position, you will:

• Perform ongoing routine maintenance and repairs to facilities, grounds, and equipment.
• Provide daily supervision and assign work tasks to hourly employees and volunteers.
• Perform duties related to fee collection, public relations, and visitor assistance.
• Educate visitors on park rules and regulations.

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.

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

• 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).
• 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, groundskeeping, construction, or related work in recreational or facility settings.
• Certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED (or ability to obtain).

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. Applicants must submit an online application to be considered for this position. DCR does not accept applications, résumés, cover letters, or other materials in any format outside of the online system. Please ensure your online application and/or résumé are complete and accurately reflect your duties, skills, and relevant work experience.

A valid driver’s license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting official business on behalf of the agency.

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 and work a varied schedule, including weekends and holidays.

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.

Employee benefits include:

• 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.

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!

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.