Entry Level Conservation Law Enforcement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Job no: 5109291
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Categories: Public Safety, Law / Judiciary
Title: Park Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement
State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II
Hiring Range: $42,000-57,000
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation
Location: First Landing 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 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.
Job Duties
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 on-site 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.
Core responsibilities include Conducting both proactive and reactive public safety and law enforcement activities, patrolling agency properties by vehicle, on foot, and through other authorized modes of transportation. The position may also be assigned to support law enforcement staffing needs at specific parks during personnel shortages, special events, special operations, or search and rescue incidents. The Park Ranger responds to, conducts initial and supplemental investigations of, and documents incidents occurring on DCR property. The role supports Public Safety & Law Enforcement staff in fulfilling statewide law enforcement functions as needed.
Additionally, the position provides visitor support to ensure that guest concerns related to park resources and facilities are addressed promptly and appropriately. This may include identifying basic maintenance needs for equipment or facilities and either resolving the issue directly or coordinating with the appropriate technical maintenance personnel to ensure timely attention.
Minimum 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).
• Requires the incumbent, if not already certified through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS), to meet the required steps for the initial certification as a Virginia Law Enforcement Officer within 12 months of an assigned class date to maintain employment.
• Must be able to complete the agency-required Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain DCJS certification within 18 months of hire.
• Due to Law Enforcement requirements, the successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen, be at least 21 years old, and be a high school graduate or possess a GED.

Additional Considerations

• 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

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 for this position 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).
This position requires the incumbent to be or become a Sworn Conservation Officer and attend a 21-week Law Enforcement Academy located in Salem, Virginia. Candidates selected for hire are provided with living accommodation during the academy. Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; H.S. graduate or possess a GED; possess or be able to obtain 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.
Before beginning employment, conditions for this position require successful completion of a physical agility test, behavioral assessment and completion of a physical exam to be identified as suitable for the position.
Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon 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.
This position will 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.
🌲 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-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: 11 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 23 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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