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Parks Police Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

US Department of the Army

Police Officer

Fort Myer, VA · On-site

$41K/yr

Creditable specialized experience may have been gained in work on a police force; through service as a military police officer; in work providing visitor protection and law enforcement in parks ...

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Parks Police information

What is a parks police officer?

Parks Police are specialized law enforcement officers responsible for maintaining safety, enforcing laws, and protecting natural resources within public parks and recreation areas. Their duties often include patrolling park grounds, responding to emergencies, assisting visitors, and ensuring compliance with park regulations. They work to prevent crime, protect wildlife, and promote a safe and enjoyable environment for all park users. Parks Police may work independently or as part of a larger city or county police force.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a parks police officer?

To thrive as a Parks Police Officer, you need a solid background in law enforcement procedures, physical fitness, and typically a police academy certification or equivalent qualification. Familiarity with law enforcement tools such as radios, patrol vehicles, body cameras, and incident reporting systems is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and community engagement are vital soft skills for building trust and ensuring public safety. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining order, protecting park visitors, and effectively handling emergencies in diverse outdoor settings.

What are common challenges faced by parks police officers in their day-to-day duties?

Parks Police officers often navigate unique challenges such as balancing law enforcement with community engagement in public spaces. They regularly deal with a wide range of incidents, from enforcing park regulations and addressing minor disturbances to responding to emergencies or wildlife-related situations. Officers must also be adept at working independently across large outdoor areas, while maintaining strong communication with other law enforcement agencies and local park staff. Adapting to changing weather conditions and high visitor volumes during peak seasons can also add complexity to their responsibilities.

What is the difference between Parks Police vs Park Rangers?

AspectParks PolicePark Rangers
CredentialsPeace officer certification, law enforcement trainingNatural resource management, conservation training
Work EnvironmentLaw enforcement settings, parks, and recreation areasNatural parks, wildlife areas, visitor centers
Employer & IndustryGovernment law enforcement agenciesNational, state, or local parks departments
Primary DutiesEnforce laws, respond to emergencies, patrolEducate visitors, preserve natural resources, assist visitors

While both Parks Police and Park Rangers work in park environments, Parks Police focus on law enforcement and maintaining safety, requiring police certification. Park Rangers primarily focus on conservation, education, and visitor assistance, with training in natural resource management. Their roles complement each other in ensuring parks are safe, accessible, and preserved.

What are popular job titles related to Parks Police jobs in Virginia?

For Parks Police jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Parks Police jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Parks Police jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Parks Police jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Parks Police job openings:

Parks Police jobs near you
Infographic showing various Parks Police job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Lead Police Officer

Petersburg, VA

US Department of the Army
National Security • 10K+ employees

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 495 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Learn more about US Department of the Armyexternal

$55K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain DoD Personnel to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: The U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) handles the day-to-day operations of Army installations.Qualifications:Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; 2) Utilizing search and arrest authority; 3) Conducting traffic patrol using specialized equipment such as radar, Lidar and breathalyzer; and 4) Utilizing computer-based systems for incident reporting and case documentation. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

Creditable specialized experience may have been gained in work on a police force; through service as a military police officer; in work providing visitor protection and law enforcement in parks, forests, or other natural resource or recreational environments; in performing criminal investigative duties; or in other work that provided the required knowledge and skills.
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted

Education:Employment Type: OTHER
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