Park Ranger

Title: Park Ranger

State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II

Hiring Range: $42,000 - $57,680

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Powhatan 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 Ranger maintains, improves, and protects park facilities, grounds, systems, resources, vehicles and equipment by performing and supervising maintenance projects. This involves using skills in a variety of trades including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, landscaping, small engine repair, and systems troubleshooting. The Park Range will supervise wage employees, volunteers and perform alternative labor in the performance of these operations. The position provides user safety and satisfaction by providing clean, safe and well-maintained facilities and grounds; providing good information to guests; and assisting with guest services. The Park Ranger assist with other park operations by delivering specialized program area skills and procuring materials, services or supplies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience leading, directing, or training staff, volunteers, or work crews.
• Experience performing grounds or facility maintenance (mowing, landscaping, tree work, trail upkeep, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience using hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment to perform repairs or routine upkeep.
• Working knowledge of basic construction and maintenance trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, or masonry.
• Experience performing basic vehicle or equipment maintenance (small engines, mowers, or utility vehicles).
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Experience using computers and software applications (email, incident reporting, timekeeping, or similar).
• Position requires possession of a valid driver’s license.

Additional Considerations

• Experience operating large equipment (tractors, skid steers, zero-turn mowers, compact utility loaders, or similar).
• Experience overseeing workplace safety practices, including OSHA considerations or conducting safety briefings.
• Experience with herbicide application, natural resource management, or trail construction/repair
• Experience supervising or coordinating maintenance, groundskeeping, construction, or related work in recreational or facility settings.
• Certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED (or ability to obtain).

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit an online application to be considered for this position. DCR does not accept applications, résumés, cover letters, or other materials in any format outside of the online system. Please ensure your online application and/or résumé are complete and accurately reflect your duties, skills, and relevant 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 a personal vehicle while conducting official business on behalf of the agency.

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.

Advertised: 13 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 25 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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