Virginia Department of Conservation and RecreationAn official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia Here's how you knowAn official websiteHere's how you know
Department of Conservation and Recreation
DCR is looking for talented people to fill positions listed below. Unless stated otherwise, you must complete and submit an electronic state application by the job announcement's close date.
Generally applications must be made through the RMS (electronic state application). We will, however, accept paper applications (Word) for some state park slots. Be sure to refer to the individual recruitment for specific requirements.
Certain positions require a criminal background check, a conflict of interest financial statement or both. Law-enforcement positions require a fingerprint-based FBI investigation. DCR is an EEO/AA/ADA Employer.
For seasonal and hourly-wage positions at state parks, contact the particular park for details.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, all new hires must complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Executive branch agencies are required to use the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
For additional information on these openings, contact hr@dcr.virginia.gov. Find positions available throughout Virginia at Virginia Jobs.
Hiring Range: $13.50 - $16.50 per hour
THE AGENCY
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to work for a diverse commonwealth. DCR protects what people care about – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. We manage 43 Virginia State Parks, which has thousands of campsites, hundreds of cabins, beaches, festivals, educational programs, more than 500 miles of trails … the list goes on. If you’re someone who wants to love what you do and make a difference, DCR is the place for you!
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; 12 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
THE DIVISION
The Division of Virginia State Parks fulfills its mission “to conserve the natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth and provide recreational and educational opportunities consistent with the good stewardship of these lands, waters and facilities that leaves them unimpaired for future generations” by operating a system of 43 state parks that encompass over 75,000 acres; over 1200 buildings, almost 1700 campsites; over 300 cabins; over 700 miles of trails; nearly 500 miles of shoreline; 36 lakes and ponds; 11 swimming beaches; 4 international dark sky sites, and offers over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.
Managed by a full-time staff of 275 and a wage staff of 1000+ during the prime season, Virginia’s award-winning state park system 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. It is our honor and privilege to play host to more than 10 million visitors annually and to offer recreational enjoyment that positively impacts local communities and the Commonwealth overall (to the tune of an economic impact that exceeds $324 million).
THE PARK
Just across the James River from historic Jamestown in beautiful Surry County, Chippokes State Park contains one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country. A working farm since 1619, the park offers modern recreational activities and a glimpse of life in a bygone era. Visitors tour the historic area with its antebellum mansion and outbuildings, stroll through formal gardens, and view more than 600 pieces of antique equipment at the Farm and Forestry Museum. This is a complex of 7 buildings, housing displays, and antiques of farm, forest, and family life when the park was just a family farm. A sixty-site campground, with 3 yurts, four overnight cabins, and a 4-bedroom Walnut Valley house, allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds. The Jones-Stewart mansion, built in 1854 and complete with an inventory of historic antiquities and gardens, servers as the centerpiece for the historic area of the park. The park also houses an assortment of farm animals representative of those that would be found on a working farm including goats, pigs, a cow, ducks, and chickens. The many fields are leased under contract for peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans, hay, and cattle grazing. In addition, the park has two picnic shelters, a visitor center with a gift shop, and access to fishing along College Creek and the James River. It also provides opportunities to bike, hike, and ride horseback with over 12 miles of trails. Chippokes offers wedding packages and meeting facilities.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This position will perform a variety of tasks in support of the Chippokes State Park Farm and Forestry Museum.
The Farm & Forestry Museum: Collections Specialist will support and assist with the daily operations and management duties of the Farm & Forestry Museum, Museum items, collections (& donations), archives, exhibits, and displays in accordance with DHR standards; take a lead role in the care, preservation, and maintenance of the Farm & Forestry Museum, archives, and collections items housed throughout the park grounds, structures, and boundaries; develop expertise related to the history of CPSP; conduct historical research to support the mission of DCR/DHR and CPSP; determine the characteristics of documents pertinent to their acquisition such as form, uniqueness, quantity, availability, and information content and analyze the physical condition of documents and determine appropriate preservation actions and priorities; identify document sources by applying knowledge about subjects and organizations that create, receive, and accumulate documents appropriate for acquisition. The incumbent will also be responsible for the care, storage, cataloging, and record keeping of new artifacts (generating written reports or records on findings); researching and developing ideas for exhibitions and programs that increase community engagement; engaging the public through outreach, interpretation, and education; sharing and connecting the Museum & Collections with our guests through conducted tours, presentations, programs, lectures, and demonstrations that utilize the archives, collection items, and completed historical research; working to generate audio and video content for special programs to promote the conservation and preservation work; working to maintain, upkeep, and refresh our exhibit experiences; serving as the point of contact for archaeological projects and findings within the park; maintaining existing partnerships and relationships, actively seeking to foster and steward relationships locally for the Museum; planning and implementing automated systems for archival collection management; utilizing appropriate technologies to manage archival programs; determining appropriate actions regarding user requests by providing information from documents, access to documents, and making referrals to other sources or denying the requests for information; providing content, images, copies of primary documents, etc.; contributing written articles, blogs, grants, proposals, and PR/external communications materials as needed; assisting with park events and special programming - ensuring the involvement and coordination of the Museum; filling the role for ambassador animal care as needed; and performing all other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Additional Considerations
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.
Maximum of 1,475 working hours allowed in a 12-month period from May 1 to April 30. Must be willing to work a minimum of 3 days a week with a maximum of 4 days a week, occasionally scheduled on some weekends, holidays, and special events throughout the year.
Must wear park provided uniform and name tag.
This position requires standing, bending, walking in the outdoors and being exposed to the elements. As well as computer, office, and administrative work.
Must be willing to work directly with the ambassador animals of Chippokes and do so in adverse and unpredictable weather conditions. Ambassador Animals of Chippokes: Billy goat, pot belly pig, chickens, ducks’ donkey, milking DeVon cow, cows in the pastures, snakes, and rabbits.
A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.
Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.
Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.
Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT
Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check including a criminal history record check.
DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.
