Chief Ranger Visitor Experience - Lake Anna State Park

Title: Chief Ranger Visitor Experience - Lake Anna State Park

State Role Title: Education Support Spec II

Hiring Range: $45,000 - $60,564

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Lake Anna State Park

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, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse
commonwealth.

Virginia’s award-winning state park system, a division of DCR, boasts an incredible and diverse array of natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources including parks in the mountains, on the ocean, on the Chesapeake Bay, on 8 major rivers, on 4 major lakes, 4 rail trails, 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. Our parks encompass over 75,000 acres, offering campsites, cabins, trails, shorelines, lakes and ponds, international dark sky sites, and over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.

DCR is hiring! Join us in preserving what people care about most - access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. Lake Anna State Park is accepting applications for a Chief Ranger Visitor Experience (CRVE).

Lake Anna State Park features a beautiful beach on one of Virginia’s most popular lakes, a fishing pond, a bathhouse and concessions complex, and a boat launch. The park offers stunning lake views and over 15 miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The visitor center includes exhibits that explore the area’s gold mining history and highlight the park’s natural features.

As CRVE, you will:

• Assist park management in directing and supervising park operations and performing administrative functions.
• Oversee all visitor services, including interpretive and environmental education programs for school and tour groups, as well as thematic programs on cultural heritage, science, and the environment.
• Manage volunteers and special events, ensuring positive visitor experiences and community engagement.
• Handle administrative responsibilities, including reporting, budget and program tracking, and resource management.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff within the interpretive department, managing employee performance and development.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote park programs and enhance public participation.
• Apply knowledge of natural and cultural resources to design and deliver engaging educational and interpretive programs.
• Conduct and oversee research related to the collection, documentation, and protection of cultural and historical artifacts.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; 13 paid holidays; 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience with managing natural, historic, and cultural resources.
• Experience planning, developing, and conducting educational and natural resource programs or events.
• Experience training, supervising, and evaluating staff performance.
• Experience in marketing, advertising, and promoting programs and special events.
• Public speaking skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and audiences.

Additional Considerations

• Certification through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) as a Certified Interpretive Guide.
• Experience with budget planning and tracking.
• Work experience in history, environmental education, interpretive program management, or related field.
• Experience designing and leading school-age programs aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).
• Experience developing visual communication materials such as flyers, signage, and brochures.

Special Instructions

You will be provided with 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. Applications will only be accepted online through the State Job website. Applications must include all work history and references.

A valid driver's license is required.

Selected candidate(s) for positions within Virginia State Parks will be required to complete a criminal history background check.

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

DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.

• 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.

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.