What do you think about when you hear the title “maintenance ranger”? Well, “maintenance” is the process of preserving something and keeping it in good shape. In this case, it refers to the upkeep of Virginia State Parks. 

Maintenance rangers can work full or part-time, depending on the needs of each park to help the location run more efficiently. Their role at the park includes helping maintain trails, assisting with light construction, mowing the grass, assisting with merchandise sales and special events, as well as interacting with park guests.  

Part-time maintenance rangers are wage employees who must be willing to work weekends, evenings and holidays. Part-time staff gain the experience necessary to qualify for salaried positions in State Parks and with other employers. I spoke with several maintenance rangers to help explain what this job entails. While they all share the same passion for Virginia State Parks, our rangers are men and women of all ages with different educational backgrounds and skill sets. One thing I want to stress is that the willingness to learn and adapt is a great skill to have, as you will discover that maintenance rangers do so much more than just maintain the trails. 

What is a typical day like? 

Working in a Virginia State Park is a unique experience and can provide new adventures daily, meaning that there really isn’t a ‘typical day’ for any worker in this field. If you don’t want to sit at a desk all day and enjoy being outdoors and getting your hands dirty, then this job is something you might want to consider. 

Claytor Lake State Park Maintenance Ranger Jacob Olayvar worked 5 years as a part-time employee before taking a full-time position at the park. He has worked at Claytor Lake State Park for 10 years and enjoys the experience he gains from this job. 

“Being out in the field every day is different and I really don’t have a typical day,” explained Olayvar. “On a somewhat normal summer day we get the maintenance crew going with the duties and tasks listed for the day, then head to get the registers opened and facilities open for the day. From there it’s just a matter of prioritizing the park’s needs for the day. I like the flexibility in the job.” 

The job provides a chance for you to work alone as well as interact with the public, but mostly you will feel like part of a team. Each park staff member is like a piece of the park’s puzzle, since they all must be working together to reach the overall goal. 

Working outdoors with your hands isn’t just a job for men. Many maintenance rangers are women and ages vary from college students to retired adults. Amber Akelson is maintenance ranger at Widewater State Park and is working part-time while she studies recreation management at George Mason University. 

“I love that a typical day will vary, especially depending on the season,” said Akelson. “I enjoy learning new skills and being outdoors for most of the day. Some days you will be cleaning bathrooms, removing litter or cutting grass, but all that work goes into making the guest's visit more enjoyable as well as keeping the park looking its best. Other days you might be fixing that mower, cutting and removing tree limbs from trails or interacting with guests. Each experience provides more insight to the bigger picture of conservation.” 

The job can be physically demanding at times, but you will never be put in a situation that you can’t handle. You will learn a lot on the job and your willingness to stay motivated and work hard will surely pay off as there are many opportunities for advancement in this field and other jobs at Virginia State Parks. 

What skills are needed for this job? 

It’s good to have a basic understanding of maintenance practices such as mowing or operating power tools, but Sweet Run State Park Maintenance Ranger Carl Huber, believes that his love of the outdoors and willingness to learn helped progress his career. 

“You don’t necessarily need an extensive maintenance background to be good at the job,” said Huber. “I didn’t know much about maintenance when I started, but I learned a lot working part-time that helped me secure a full-time position.” 

Educational backgrounds and experiences vary by employee, but all employees will verify that the knowledge and skills they learn working in the field have been super helpful inside and outside of work. 

“I am unique by having a philosophy background but found it to be very useful on the job,” said Huber. “My degree helps me utilize my critical thinking skills and gives me a better appreciation of nature in general. I think it is my analytical background that has made me pay attention to details when working on maintenance projects. In my opinion, the best people for this position are ones who care a lot about parks and are motivated to learn. You also must be interested in the way things work. I am always finding new ways of problem solving and improving park functioning through maintenance projects.” 

Maintenance jobs are good for people of all ages, and you don’t have to have a college degree to get a job in this field. Some people apply after high school and gain experience which opens up more career opportunities for their future. Some employees start off in part-time positions and work hard to find full-time opportunities, and others continue to enjoy the part-time work. There are also those who work part-time after retirement. Your flexibility will dictate your success, and all employees gain so much knowledge in the field that comes in handy in their personal life as well. On-site training and hands-on experiences will help build up your skill set and confidence.  

“Dealing with the public can be fun or challenging depending on the situation,” said a Douthat State Park maintenance ranger. “Most people are friendly, but you will need to have people-skills and some problem-solving skills to help you when problems arise.” 

“Basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, carpentry and landscaping are important, but you will learn a lot in the field if you are unfamiliar,” said a maintenance ranger at Hungry Mother State Park. “Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and jump in to help. Stay flexible and be willing to learn as these skills will take you far in your career.” 

Despite different backgrounds and experiences, our rangers are eager to learn and are passionate about keeping Virginia State Parks in the best shape possible. 

How to apply for this job 

Most people only apply for jobs that they think they are very qualified for. This can lead to missed opportunities. I want to remind everyone to apply for a job that you will love, and you can excel at it while gaining more experience every day. It is very important to have a job that you enjoy, and it was nice to talk to the many happy maintenance rangers who want to encourage others to consider applying for these jobs. 

“If you like meeting new people, working with your hands and being outdoors then you should apply to become a maintenance ranger,” said Occoneechee State Park Maintenance Ranger James Harris. “I found this job to be more fun than I originally expected. The experience I have gained in this position has exceeded my expectations. This is definitely the type of job that you have to try for yourself to decide if this is a good fit for you. Having a career with a purpose is something that DCR and Virginia State Parks can help you achieve.” 

Make a Virginia State Park your office this year and apply for a job via an online application.

These parks are currently hiring maintenance rangers. Click the link to apply.

• Staunton River
• Occoneechee
• Holliday Lake 
• Twin Lakes
• Pocahontas
• First Landing  
• Leesylvania
• Seven Bends
• Bear Creek Lake
• Machicomoco 
• Caledon

Jobs are posted weekly so be sure to keep checking the website for more opportunities. 

For a full list of jobs, visit the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation web page at DCR Jobs (dcr.virginia.gov).