Forest Ranger Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Park Ranger Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Job no: 5110977
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Gloucester, Virginia
Categories: Public Safety
Title: Park Ranger Public Safety & Law Enforcement
State Role Title: Natural Resource Spec II
Hiring Range: $42,000 - $57,680
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation
Location: Machicomoco 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 Summary
If you have always wanted to work in a beautiful and serene environment, then we have the perfect Park Ranger - Public Safety and Law Enforcement position at Machicomoco State Park!
The Park Ranger - PS&LE position serves as a sworn, commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer, as defined in the Code of Virginia § 9.1-101, with responsibility for enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of the Department.
As one of Virginia's Law Enforcement Rangers, the position will:

• Support Machicomoco State Park programs and services with special emphasis on providing public safety, law enforcement, and resource protection by enforcing park rules, regulations, and state laws.
• 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.
• Patrol properties in a vehicle, on foot, and by other modes of transportation.
• Assist with special events and search and rescue operations.
• Respond to and conduct initial investigations of incidents, including felonies, crimes, and violations of rules, public use, safety requirements, and motor vehicle accidents, crowd control activities, responding to calls for public safety and law enforcement services, and proactively protecting property resources from all forms of degradation.
• Serve as a public safety resource by interacting with park visitors.

Job Duties
The Park Ranger - PS&LE's will also:

• Assist with natural resource protection, which includes medical services, as well as facilitating stewardship and orientation.
• Assist in wilderness management, boundary enforcement, and protection of natural and cultural resources (e.g., wildlife, plants, archaeological sites, historic buildings).
• Support wildland fire suppression protection, including such duties as wildlife management.
• Maintain Park boundaries and signage, marking forest roads/trails, and completing quarterly written trail inspections as well as other forms of written documentation.
• Facilitate stewardship (e.g., diagnosing basic maintenance issues and ensuring public safety through basic facilities and grounds maintenance) and use of appropriate safety equipment and equipment.
• Supervise and train seasonal and wage staff and volunteers, and other work program participants in the maintenance of grounds, facilities, and equipment as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working with the public and/or in customer service.
• Written and verbal skills to include public speaking communication.
• Experience solving problems and developing solutions.
• Experience working 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.
• Position requires completing the agency 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.

Work requires exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects. Successful candidate must be able to perform manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 pounds. Successful candidate must obtain certifications in CPR and First Aid and accepts responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms and will be required to wear a uniform and related law enforcement equipment and comply with the DCR Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniform standards.
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 planning and conducting programs and events.
• 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.
• Experience in responding to or handling emergency situations.

Special Instructions
Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc., 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 a personal vehicle while conducting official business on behalf of the agency.
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. Selected candidates are provided with living accommodation during the academy. Must be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; be a high school 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.
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 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.
PARK HOUSING IS NOT GUARANTEED FOR THIS POSITION. If park housing is available and chosen by the incumbent, the following will apply: 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 DCR property. The incumbent must enter into a lease agreement and demonstrate possession of liability and personal property insurance.
Full-time Law Enforcement Rangers are eligible to take home their assigned vehicle in accordance with agency General Orders.
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: 24 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 06 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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