Title: Park Ranger - Housekeeping

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

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

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Smith Mountain Lake

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.

Join a dedicated and professional team at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, a popular destination known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. As a Park Ranger – Housekeeping, your attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness will directly enhance the visitor experience across a wide range of park facilities.

This position plays a key role in ensuring that park cabins, restrooms, and public areas are clean, safe, and welcoming for all guests. Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers a variety of amenities, including cabins, campsites, multi-use trails, a boat ramp, a swim beach, and food concessions — all of which require consistent upkeep and hospitality-focused care.

As a Park Ranger focused on housekeeping, you will:

• Lead and assist in the daily cleaning and servicing of park cabins, bathhouses, and restrooms to maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation.
• Supervise and assign tasks to hourly staff, volunteers, and alternate workforce team members.
• Provide exceptional customer service, including sharing park information, answering visitor questions, and addressing facility-related concerns.
• Support fee collection, visitor assistance, and public relations as needed.
• Help educate guests on park rules and promote a positive, respectful park environment.
• Occasional support may be required in other park operations, such as light maintenance, the contact station, meeting facilities, or gift shop during peak times or staff shortages.

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

• Experience performing cleaning duties in public-use facilities such as cabins, restrooms, hotels, or similar environments.
• Experience using cleaning chemicals and equipment safely and according to established procedures.
• Experience providing customer service to the public in a park, hospitality, or similar setting.
• Experience leading or assigning tasks to hourly staff, volunteers, or seasonal workers.
• Ability to follow cleaning schedules or checklists and complete tasks independently with attention to detail.

Additional Considerations

• Experience training others in cleaning procedures or safety practices.
• Experience coordinating cleaning schedules or supply inventories.
• Experience working in a state park, campground, or outdoor recreation setting.

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.

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 is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

A valid Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting 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.

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

This position requires shift work, which includes weekends and holidays.

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

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.
    
    

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.