Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.
Virginia’s award-winning state park system, a division of DCR, boasts an incredible and diverse array of natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources including parks in the mountains, on the ocean, on the Chesapeake Bay, on 8 major rivers, on 4 major lakes, 4 rail trails, 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. Our parks encompass over 75,000 acres, offering campsites, cabins, trails, shorelines, lakes and ponds, international dark sky sites, and over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.
If you have always wanted to work in a beautiful and serene environment, then we have the perfect position for you at Widewater State Park! Join us in preserving what people care about most – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. Widewater State Park is accepting applications for a Chief Ranger - Maintenance and Operations.
In this position, you will join a winning team and assist Park Leadership with the overall management and operation of the park. Duties will include:
1. Performing cyclical preventive maintenance of park buildings, grounds, and equipment.
2. Supervising staff who perform building and grounds maintenance activities.
3. Reviewing and completing various tasks using maintenance management software, such as timekeeping, creating schedules, assigning work, procurement, and accident reports.
4. Assisting with the development of the park budget and annual operating plan.
The Chief Ranger Maintenance & Operations will also provide supervision and inspection of cyclical facilities/grounds/equipment maintenance tasks to ensure tasks are completed in compliance with OSHA, VDH, agency standards, or in compliance with other pertinent regulations. The incumbent of this position also assists with managing and maintaining the park’s cultural and natural resources and provides supervision and oversight for volunteer programs.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid 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 .
Minimum Qualifications
5. Experience supervising and the ability to train staff and/or volunteers.
6. Experience providing customer service in a public setting.
7. Knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform preventive maintenance on buildings and grounds using a variety of tools, vehicles, and equipment.
8. Familiarity with using computers, electronic devices, and software to create schedules, develop and track work assignments, asset management, timekeeping, and other technological tasks.
9. A valid driver’s license is required.
Additional Considerations
10. Familiarity with the operation and maintenance of a Virginia Class IV Waterworks system.
11. CPR/First Aid/AED, and/or Pesticide Applicator’s License.
12. Experience in cash management.
13. Experience in public education programming.
14. Experience in resource management.
15. Experience with light construction.
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 Virginia Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or to operate a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.
Selected candidate(s) for positions within Virginia State Parks will be required to satisfactorily complete a criminal history background check.
Current sworn conservation officers will have to relinquish their certification. Law enforcement is NOT a requirement for this position. This position requires shift work, which includes weekends and holidays. In addition, this position will serve in an on-call capacity, as needed, to provide security and operational efficiencies. Responding to calls outside normal scheduled business hours requires a response within a prescribed time frame.
THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO LIVE IN PARK HOUSING. 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 employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.
16. Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.
17. DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service) are entitled to 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. Free camping Sunday night through Thursday night (excluding the night before a holiday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Fifty percent discount on cabins (up to 3 bedrooms) outside of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, for a maximum of 14 nights. All reservations require a two-night minimum. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one-night yurt stays only receive a 25% discount.
Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: N/A
Email: ov
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.