District Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - District 6

Title: District Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - District 6

State Role Title: Law Enforcement Officer II

Hiring Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Agency Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

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.

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.

Join our Office of Public Safety and Law Enforcement as a District Ranger, assigned to District 6. District 6 is made up of seven state parks and numerous natural heritage preserves located in the Southwestern Virginia region. This role also provides law enforcement support for Breaks Interstate Park. These state parks operate on an annual budget of $6.3 million with 54 classified staff and approximately 300 wage staff greeting an estimated 1.6 million visitors with revenues topping $3.8 million. Four of the parks provide overnight camping, and three of the parks have overnight facility rentals (two of which are cabin parks). Popular day-use activities within these parks are miles of hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding. Additionally, these parks provide a variety of natural, cultural, historical, educational, and recreational programs. Guests in this district are most commonly from the SWVA, East Tennessee, and Eastern Kentucky areas. The history of this district varies, with Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Trail, civil rights, railroad, Native American, coal, Appalachian culture, and Civilian Conservation Corps history all playing major roles in the stories of District 6 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:

• Serving as a Field Training Officer, a General Instructor (as required), and as an instructor in at least one public safety and law enforcement specialty (i.e., firearms, defensive tactics, driving, etc.), or as an instructor for Basic First Aid/Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED.
• Serving as part of the Accreditation Team and supporting accreditation efforts (e.g., coordinating proofs, reviewing standards, etc.).
• Serving as an ad hoc member of working groups.
• Responding to, leading, and coordinating SAR (Search and Rescue) responses within the assigned district. Employee will be expected to obtain and maintain advanced SAR certification as appropriate.
• Responding to and assisting in the management of wildfire response incidents and supporting prescribed fire operations as necessary. Employee will be expected to meet OCR standards for prescribed fire crew members as appropriate.
• Assisting with the development of operational/ICS event plans and the ICS process, including reviewing District ICS plans, serving as a team member on the OCR SAR Team; assisting with administrative law enforcement operations including inspections and audits outlined in general orders. Employee will be expected to obtain and maintain ICS certifications.
• Coordinating the training of non-law enforcement staff in public safety, law enforcement, and crime prevention-related topics (e.g., personal safety, identification of counterfeit currency, fraud, and theft prevention).
• Assisting with developing and reviewing Emergency Action Plans and working with District Management and Park Management to ensure that accurate, up-to-date EAPs are maintained at all district state parks.
• Undertaking, leading, and coordinating public-facing public safety & law enforcement outreach and recruitment efforts in conjunction with Department, Division, Park, or other identified specific public events.
• Monitoring and evaluating OCR properties and data for public safety needs, as well as responsive and proactive crime prevention and crime reduction efforts, and making referrals for actions and resolutions as appropriate.
• Assist in the identification and preparation of grant programs to enhance public safety and law enforcement operations.
• Assist with the interview and selection of applicants for law enforcement positions within the district.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices.
• Experience planning and organizing a complex array of public safety and law enforcement actions and developing independent solutions to public safety and law enforcement issues with little immediate leadership input.
• Experience training, encouraging, and evaluating others.
• Experience effectively addressing multiple assignments with critical deadlines and working within program goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Experience making and supporting difficult and/or unpopular decisions to both demonstrate and elicit accountability.
• Experience providing customer service in public settings.
• Experience communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Experience in a law enforcement role.
• Current DCJS certification, or eligibility for certification, as a “law enforcement officer” as defined by the Code of Virginia § 9.1-101

Additional Considerations

• Law enforcement experience that includes progressive patrol, training, and investigative responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of recreational or conservation management principles and practices.
• Involvement with recreational law enforcement programs or service as a Law Enforcement Ranger.
• Knowledge of agency organizational functions.
• A working knowledge of Division of State Park and Natural Heritage operations will enhance the District Park Ranger – Public Safety and Law Enforcement ability to respond to visitor, staff, and resource needs.
• Current certification as a DCJS Field Training Officer and General Instructor, or ability to acquire within 12 months of hire.

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. 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.

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).

The selected incumbent is required to reside within the boundaries of the assigned district. For District 6, these counties include Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell, Washington, City of Bristol, Smyth, Tazewell, Bland, Wythe, Grayson, City of Galax, Carroll, Pulaski, Giles, and Craig.

Full-time Law Enforcement Rangers are eligible to take home their assigned vehicle in accordance with agency General Orders.

This 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. Employment conditions for this position require the successful completion of a physical agility test and 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 a uniform and law enforcement equipment in accordance with DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.

Law Enforcement Rangers are required to work various shifts, which include weekends, holidays, and overtime. As needed, incumbents will serve in an on-call capacity to provide security and operational efficiencies. Responding to calls outside scheduled hours requires a response within a prescribed timeframe.

🌲 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 make every visit 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‑night 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: 19 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 29 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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