Title: District Resource Management Assistant - District 2

State Role Title: Natural Resource Specialist II

Hiring Range: $19.00 - $23.00 per hour

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Widewater 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 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 OPPORTUNITY
District 2 is seeking applications to fill the District Resource Management Assistant position. This position will assist the District Resource Specialist with the implementation of resource management projects across District 2, which includes Sweet Run, Mason Neck, Leesylvania, Widewater, Culpeper Battlefields, Caledon, Westmoreland, and Lake Anna State Parks. This position is based out of Widewater State Park in Stafford, Virginia. This position requires working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, daily travel, and occasional overnight travel.

Duties will include assisting the District Resource Specialist with a variety of resource management activities including, but not limited to, long-term land management planning and implementation, monitoring and control of invasive species, preparing burn units and participating on prescribed burns as crew member or squad boss, managing deer hunts and other wildlife management, sustainable trail design, construction, and maintenance, boundary marking, GIS data collection and data management, and other resource management tasks as needed.

This position will also be responsible for maintaining and organizing tools, equipment, office space, and vehicles; participating in special events and/or disaster relief as needed; and assisting with training and supervising park staff or volunteers as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of resource management issues, practices, and procedures
• Proficient skills in verbal and written communication. 
• Basic knowledge of Windows-based computer operation.
  
• Proficient data organization skills to include documenting, updating, and maintaining records; logging data; and keeping inventory of supplies on-hand and/or needed.

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of regional plant species and ecosystems.
• Ability to organize, maintain, and use tools and equipment associated with resource activities, such as small gas-powered engine tools, trail building tools, power tools, UTVs, backpack sprayers, etc.
• Virginia Commercial Applicators License or Registered Technician Certification for use of pesticides.
• DCR prescribed burn crew certification (NWCG firefighter type 2). 
• DCR chainsaw sawyer apprentice certification (or equivalent).

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.

Contact Information

Name: N/A

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.