Natural Heritage - Division Director, Natural Heritage - Closes on 08/10/2026

About the role

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 spaces. Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation touches all Virginians’ lives.

Responsibilities

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) seeks an experienced and mission-driven Natural Heritage Division Director to lead the statewide work of Virginia’s Natural Heritage Program. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight for all operations of Virginia’s Natural Heritage Program, guiding interdisciplinary teams responsible for biological inventory, data and information management, environmental review, land protection, and stewardship of the state’s Natural Area Preserves.

The role ensures the integrity of statewide conservation data, directs the protection and management of priority natural areas, oversees legislative and board support responsibilities, strengthens collaboration across DCR units, and manages a $6.2M general fund budget and oversees the pursuit and use of approximately $4M in grants and contract funding to support statewide conservation programs and initiatives.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of natural areas inventory, data management, environmental review, natural areas protection and stewardship.
• Considerable working knowledge of state and local government agencies and programs, and the role of federal agencies, private and non-profit conservation organizations in the conservation of biodiversity and partnership/support.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated public and private source fundraising abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to organize and manage the work of professional, technical and administrative staff.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience managing large, multidisciplinary natural resource or conservation programs including land management, acquisition, funding, partnerships, and/or governance.
• State government experience is preferred.
• Significant scientific background in plant ecology, biology, botany, or similar field.
• Demonstrated expertise in biodiversity conservation, natural heritage inventory, rare species protection, and land conservation or stewardship practices.
• Prescribed fire, invasive species, and law enforcement coordination experience preferred.
• Strong fiscal and administrative management skills, including development and oversight of budgets, non-general funds, and grant or special funding programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead stewardship and land management operations, address resource protection and public access challenges, and work effectively across divisions and partner organizations.
• Demonstrated ability managing personnel with a wide range of duties, responsibilities, backgrounds, and education levels.

Benefits

• A choice of healthcare plans.
• Vacation, family, personal and sick leave.
• A retirement plan.
• A sickness and disability plan.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Deferred compensation with employer match.
• Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• 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.

Pay

Hiring Range: $135,000 - $150,000