Job openings at DCR

If you feel like saving the world, you belong at DCR

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 for some state park slots. Be sure to refer to the individual recruitment for specific requirements.

Full-time (salaried) employment offers

A choice of healthcare plans.
Vacation, family, personal and sick leave.
A retirement plan.
A sickness and disability plan.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Deferred compensation with employer match.

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.

Job openings at DCR

Scientist II

Field Botanist

Closes On: 12/23/2025

Natural Heritage

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Hiring Range: $55,000 - $65,000

Job Duties

As part of the DCR-DNH Inventory Section and reporting to the Staff Botanist, this Field Botanist will serve as the project lead for DCR-DNH’s Good Neighbor Agreement with the US Forest Service (USFS).

The Field Botanist will be responsible for:

Leading all botanical surveys on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest under the Good Neighbor agreement with the US Forest Service (USFS).
Using field surveys to document occurrences of wild plants that are tracked by DCR as rare in Virginia, listed by USFWS and Virginia as threatened or endangered, and/or listed by USFS as Regional Forester Sensitive Species.
Curating all resulting observation data and creating voucher collections of their finds, as well as compiling each season’s data for inclusion in DCR-DNH's Biotics database.
Leading progress between the USFS and DCR’s Botany, Zoology, and Ecology teams, to include, coordinating annual meetings between agencies, compiling geographic data, and writing brief quarterly reports.
Supervising one seasonal Botany Field Technician to support the position in the field.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Good Neighbor Agreement with the US Forest Service (USFS) for a 10-year period ending 09/30/2035. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

This position will be based in Roanoke, VA and is telework eligible.

The Virginia Department of Conservations and Recreations (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.

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

Demonstrated facility in identifying wild vascular plants in Virginia using technical floristic keys.
Experience in collecting scientific plant specimens and using plant presses.
Experience navigating in the wilderness using GPS and maps of contour lines and property boundaries.
Experience creating, organizing, and analyzing datasets on field observations, and experience producing field reports.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software, Windows OS, and ESRI ArcPro.

Additional Considerations

Experience taking field notes in ESRI Field Maps on a mobile device, or a similar application, such as Collector or Avenza.
Experience driving a vehicle in off-highway situations with unpredictable road conditions.
Experience coordinating with multiple collaborators at once, through in-person work, email, and calls.
Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers.
Familiarity with Natural Heritage methodology.
Training in ecology or biology.
Field identification and microscope skills in bryology.

Special Instructions

The selected candidate must be willing and able to work non-traditional hours, including frequent overnight trips and several-hour driving commutes to reach field sites across the Forest. The selected candidate must also be able to walk several miles per day off-trail, while carrying a field pack through thick vegetation and rugged or wet terrain, and in summertime weather conditions.

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. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application and/or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your 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.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.

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 prior to 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.

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