State Parks - First Landing State Park - Park Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - Closes on 08/23/2026

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

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, DCR touches all Virginians’ lives.

Operating under the supervision and direction of the Park Manager and receiving functional leadership from the Chief of Public Safety & Law Enforcement or their designee, the Park Ranger – Public Safety & Law Enforcement position serves as an onsite public safety and law enforcement representative for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The primary purpose of this position is to protect people, property, and natural resources on land owned, leased, or operated by DCR through the application of specialized knowledge in public safety and law enforcement practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct both proactive and reactive public safety and law enforcement activities, patrolling agency properties by vehicle, on foot, and through other authorized modes of transportation.
• Support law enforcement staffing needs at specific parks during personnel shortages, special events, special operations, or search and rescue incidents.
• Respond to, conduct initial and supplemental investigations of, and document incidents occurring on DCR property.
• Support Public Safety & Law Enforcement staff in fulfilling statewide law enforcement functions as needed.
• Provide visitor support to ensure that guest concerns related to park resources and facilities are addressed promptly and appropriately.
• Identify basic maintenance needs for equipment or facilities and either resolve the issue directly or coordinate with the appropriate technical maintenance personnel to ensure timely attention.
• 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.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• At least 21 years old.
• High school graduate or possess a GED.
• Valid driver’s license to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting official business on behalf of the agency.
• Must be able to complete the agency-required Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) certification within 18 months of hire.
• If not already certified through DCJS, must meet the required steps for initial certification as a Virginia Law Enforcement Officer within 12 months of an assigned class date to maintain employment.
• Must be or become a Sworn Conservation Officer and attend a 21-week Law Enforcement Academy located in Salem, Virginia. Living accommodations are provided during the academy.
• Must not have a felony conviction(s) or have pled no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Virginia.
• Must not have a misdemeanor conviction(s) involving moral turpitude, including larceny, concealment, uttering, embezzlement, or perjury.
• Must not have conviction(s) for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Must not have positive results on pre-employment drug screening.
• Successful completion of a physical agility test, behavioral assessment, and physical exam to be identified as suitable for the position.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Experience working with the public and/or in customer service.
• Written and verbal skills in public speaking and communications.
• Ability to solve problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to work with teams or independently with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with 2-way radios, electronic devices, and computers, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Basic knowledge of home/grounds maintenance (e.g., cleaning, debris removal, or minor home maintenance).

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Virginia DCJS law enforcement officer certification.
• Basic knowledge of park/recreation operations (e.g., building and grounds maintenance, resource management, etc.).
• Experience in leading, directing, and training others.
• Experience reaching logical conclusions from interpreting policy and regulations.
• Experience in responding to or handling emergencies.
• Certification in Search and Rescue and/or First Aid/CPR/AED.

Benefits

• 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).
• Federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
• 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-night minimum required. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one-night yurt stays receive a 25% discount.