Title: Park Manager

State Role Title: Natural Resource Manager II

Hiring Range: $60,000 - $86,520.00

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Kiptopeke State Park

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (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 space.

Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 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.

Job Duties

The Park Manager position requires shift work, which includes weekends and holidays. This position will serve in an on-call capacity, as needed, to provide security and operational efficiencies. Responding to calls outside scheduled hours requires a response within a prescribed timeframe. This position requires wearing a state-issued uniform and using state-issued equipment. Candidate will work in diverse conditions, including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects, and be required to perform heavy manual labor, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 20 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong personnel management skills to include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Experience providing effective interpersonal communications and leading individuals, small groups, and work units in accomplishing programmatic functions.
• Considerable business management experience, including budget planning and revenue generation.
• Experience coordinating work programs effectively and efficiently on a seasonal schedule with minimal impact on the public use of the facilities.
• Experience with custodial, building, facility, grounds, and systems that may impact public safety and/or customer service.
• Knowledge of practices relating to the conservation, preservation, and restoration of natural, cultural, historical, or recreational resources.
• Knowledge of interpretation and public relations in a park and/or natural, cultural, or recreational operational setting.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with business management and revenue generation in relation to the operation of a park or similar facility with multiple revenue streams.
• Knowledge and implementation experience of park policies and rules that directly impact visitors.
• Advanced experience with managing partnerships with Friends groups, Foundations, or similar organizations.

Special Instructions

Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc., 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.  

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.

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.

PARK HOUSING WILL BE OPTIONAL FOR THIS POSITION. If chosen by the incumbent, the following will apply: In accordance with 10.1-109.B of the Code of Virginia, this position is required to reside in Department-controlled housing for the purpose of providing security and operational efficiencies to the property of the Department. The incumbent must enter into a lease agreement and demonstrate possession of liability and personal property insurance.

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.