Natural Heritage Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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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, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation touches all Virginians’ lives.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) seeks an experienced and mission-driven Natural Heritage Division Director to lead the statewide work of Virginia’s Natural Heritage Program. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight for all operations of Virginia’s Natural Heritage Program, guiding interdisciplinary teams responsible for biological inventory, data and information management, environmental review, land protection, and stewardship of the state’s Natural Area Preserves. The role ensures the integrity of statewide conservation data, directs the protection and management of priority natural areas, oversees legislative and board support responsibilities, strengthens collaboration across DCR units, and manages a $6.2M general fund budget and oversees the pursuit and use of approximately $4M in grants and contract funding to support statewide conservation programs and initiatives.

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.

• Comprehensive knowledge of natural areas inventory, data management, environmental review, natural areas protection and stewardship.
• Considerable working knowledge of state and local government agencies and programs, and the role of federal agencies, private and non-profit conservation organizations in the conservation of biodiversity and partnership/support.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated public and private source fundraising abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to organize and manage the work of professional, technical and administrative staff.

• Significant leadership experience managing large, multidisciplinary natural resource or conservation programs including land management, acquisition, funding, partnerships, and/or governance. State government experience is preferred.
• Significant scientific background in plant ecology, biology, botany, or similar field.
• Demonstrated expertise in biodiversity conservation, natural heritage inventory, rare species protection, and land conservation or stewardship practices. Prescribed fire, invasive species, and law enforcement coordination experience preferred.
• Strong fiscal and administrative management skills, including development and oversight of budgets, non-general funds, and grant or special funding programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead stewardship and land management operations, address resource protection and public access challenges, and work effectively across divisions and partner organizations.
• Demonstrated ability managing personnel with a wide range of duties, responsibilities, backgrounds, and education levels.

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., in any other format. Applicants should ensure their online application and/or resume are complete, and include duties and skills associated with their work experience.

A valid Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Park or Federal experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

• Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• 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.

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

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.