Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
DCR is looking for talented people to fill positions listed below. Unless stated otherwise, you must complete and submit an electronic state application by the job announcement's close date.
Generally applications must be made through the RMS (electronic state application). We will, however, accept paper applications for some state park slots. Be sure to refer to the individual recruitment for specific requirements.
Certain positions require a criminal background check, a conflict of interest financial statement or both. Law-enforcement positions require a fingerprint-based FBI investigation. DCR is an EEO/AA/ADA Employer.
For seasonal and hourly-wage positions at state parks, contact the particular park for details.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, all new hires must complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Executive branch agencies are required to use the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
For additional information on these openings, contact hr@dcr.virginia.gov. Find positions available throughout Virginia at Virginia Jobs.
Hiring Range: $65,000 - $75,000
Job Duties:
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hiring! DCR is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to work for a diverse commonwealth.
Join our Office of Public Safety and Law Enforcement as a District Ranger, assigned to District II, which comprises eight parks in the Northern Virginia region. Often termed the Potomac District, these parks operate on an annual budget of $2.8 million with 38 classified staff and approximately 200 wage staff greeting an estimated 1 million visitors with revenues topping $3 million. Three of the parks provide overnight camping, and two of the parks have cabins. The five Potomac River parks all offer paddle-in campsites. Popular day-use activities within these parks are miles of hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, and water trails. Additionally, these parks provide a variety of natural, cultural, historical, educational, and recreational programs. Guests in this district are most commonly from the NOVA/DC, Richmond City, and Maryland State areas. The history of this district varies with civil war, civil rights, railroad, Native American, and Civilian Conservation Corps history all playing major roles in the stories of District 2 parks.
This position serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer as defined in the Code of Virginia § 9.1-101, with responsibility to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of the Department. As one of Virginia’s Law Enforcement Rangers, the successful candidate supports park programs and services with special emphasis on providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws. Duties include conducting law enforcement patrols, basic investigations, and responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services.
Operating under the Deputy Chief of Public Safety & Law Enforcement, or designee, with input and coordination with the District Manager, the primary purpose of this position is to ensure the protection of people, property, and resources on land owned, leased, or operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation through articulated and displayed specialized knowledge of public safety and law enforcement activities. This will include providing law enforcement services by patrolling agency properties in a vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation. This will also include assisting with covering law enforcement staffing at specific parks in the event of staffing shortages, special events, special operations, and search and rescue operations. Additionally, this position will respond to and conduct initial and supplemental investigations of incidents, serve as a resource for public safety and law enforcement matters, assist Law Enforcement Rangers assigned to specific parks with law enforcement functions, and support the provision of statewide law enforcement services as necessary.
Additional duties can include, but may not be limited to:
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:
Additional Considerations:
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 are 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.
Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT
The selected incumbent will be required to reside within the boundaries of the assigned district. For District II, these counties include Orange, Louisa, Hanover, King William, King and Queen, Caroline, Essex, Fredericksburg, Arlington, Alexandria, King George, Spotsylvania, Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Westmoreland, Stafford, and Culpeper.
The position requires the incumbent to be a sworn law enforcement officer. Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school graduate or possess a GED; possess certification as a LE Officer in VA from the VA Dept. of Criminal Justice Service, which includes accepting responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms. Successful applicants: shall 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 VA; shall not have a misdemeanor conviction(s) involving moral turpitude, including larceny, concealment, uttering, embezzlement, or perjury; shall not have conviction(s) for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; shall not have positive results on pre-employment drug screening.
Employment in all law enforcement positions within DCR is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation, including a criminal history record check. Conditions of employment for this position require the successful completion of a behavioral assessment. Also, successful completion of a physical exam is required to be identified as suitable for the position before beginning employment.
The position involves regular outdoor work in all seasons, with exposure to weather, dust, animals, and insects. Candidates must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, including standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequently lifting 50 pounds. The selected applicant will be required to obtain CPR and First Aid certifications and must be willing to carry and properly use firearms as part of assigned duties. This role also requires wearing uniform and law enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.
DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.
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.
