Title: Chief Ranger - Visitor Experience - New River Trail State Park

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

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

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: New River Trail 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 hiring! Join us in preserving what people care about most - access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. New River Trail State Park is accepting applications for a Chief Ranger - Visitor Experience position.

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, science, and the environment.
• Management of volunteers and special events.
• Handling administrative functions, including reporting, budget tracking, program tracking, etc., and resource management.

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 habitat, and open spaces.

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

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

• Knowledge and/or experience managing either natural, historic, or cultural resources.
• Experience planning and/or conducting programs and/or special events.
• Demonstrated history of training, supervising, and evaluating staff or volunteer performance.
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint).
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• 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 digital content, flyers, signage, or pamphlets.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR/Interpretive Guide/etc.
• Volunteer and Citizen Support Organizational management experience.
• Strategic visitor experience and interpretive program planning skills and experience.

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., in any other format. Applicants should ensure their online application and/or resume are complete and include duties and skills associated with their 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. All employees within Virginia State Parks are required to wear state-issued uniforms and work a varied schedule, including weekends and holidays.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Park or Federal 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.