Deputy Chief – Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Title: Deputy Chief – Public Safety & Law Enforcement

State Role Title: Law Enforcement Manager I

Hiring Range: $95,000 - $110,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Dept Conservation & Recreation

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.

Since 1936, Conservation officers have protected and preserved the lives and property of our citizens and their guests while protecting the commonwealth’s irreplaceable natural and cultural resources. Throughout their history, conservation officers have practiced community policing in state parks and natural areas while providing comfort and peace of mind to outdoor enthusiasts.

If you’re someone who wants to love what you do and make a difference, DCR is the place for you! We are hiring for a Deputy Chief of Public Safety and Law Enforcement.

While operating under the direction and oversight of the Chief of Public Safety and Law Enforcement, you will:

• Plan, organize, and direct public safety and law enforcement activities on DCR property (owned, leased, or operated) throughout the Commonwealth through displayed leadership and the updating and implementing general orders and standard operating procedures of the organization.
• Oversee the application of regulations and laws; ensure statewide consistency in procurement and inventory processes; and facilitate the provision of outreach efforts that support DCR's mission. This will include the development and publication of required annual and ad-hoc reports as necessary.
• Assist in establishing and administering the law enforcement budget and special funding, and grant requests.
• Assist in overseeing law enforcement procurement and inventory, training, fleet vehicles, and equipment.
• Assist in managing the agencies law enforcement records and incident-based reporting system required of law enforcement agencies by the Department of State Police and the Code of Virginia.
• Obtain, operate, and assure continued licensure of DCR’s VCIN terminal(s), serving as Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC), unless delegated.
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Additional duties will include:

• Provision of statewide law enforcement services
• Managing the background investigations process for prospective DCR law enforcement position candidates and highly sensitive investigations, program reviews, and inquiries into issues potentially involving DCR law enforcement officers and staff in criminal activity, as deemed appropriate by the Chief of Public Safety and Law Enforcement.
• Overseeing the provision of law enforcement covert and overt special operations, as well as liaison, interacting, and furthering relationships between the Public Safety & Law Enforcement Staff and non-law enforcement staff within the Department.

The main office for the Public Safety and Law Enforcement Staff is located in Richmond, Virginia. This position may work out of other offices and locations based on organizational needs and the individual selected. Operational requirements will span throughout the Commonwealth and require travel.

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

• Considerable law enforcement experience that includes progressive supervisory responsibilities.
• An extensive and comprehensive knowledge of agency organizational functions; law enforcement principles and practices, and policy development and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize a complex array of law enforcement function; to define and develop solutions to large-scale issues of unusual complexity; to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; to supervise, encourage and evaluate others; to lead by example; to make and support difficult and/or unpopular decisions, to both demonstrate and elicit accountability; to establish and maintain effective working relationships; to effectively address multiple assignments with critical deadlines; and to develop and work within program goals, objectives, priorities and budgets.
• Knowledge of and articulatable experience in administrative programs and processes, including budget development and execution, and accreditation standards implemented by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.
• Skill in computer use, and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Current law enforcement certification from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
• Valid Driver's License

Additional Considerations

• Considerable experience in law enforcement, involvement with recreational law enforcement programs, or service as a Conservation Officer.
• Experience with budget development and management.
• Considerable and progressively responsible experience in developing and managing agency programs, issue management, and resolution, and planning/policy development and implementation.
• Education, training, or work experience in criminal justice, police science, public administration, education, or a related field.

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. 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.

This position requires the incumbent to be a US citizen; be at least 21 years old; H.S. school diploma or possess a GED; and possess a certification as a LE Officer in VA from the VA Dept. of Criminal Justice Service, which includes accepting responsibilities related to being equipped with and using firearms. Successful applicants: shall not have a felony conviction(s) or have pled no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in VA; shall not have a misdemeanor conviction(s) involving moral turpitude, including larceny, concealment, uttering, embezzlement, or perjury; shall not have conviction(s) for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; shall not have positive results on pre-employment drug screening.

Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, including a criminal history record check. Additional conditions of employment for this position require the successful completion of a physical agility test and behavioral assessment. Also, successful completion of a physical exam is required to be identified as suitable for the position before beginning employment.

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.

The incumbent must wear the DCR-supplied uniform and comply with the appearance code when on duty. Will work in diverse conditions, including exposure to the outdoors, weather in all seasons, dust, animals, and insects. Will be required to perform heavy manual labor to include standing, bending, pulling, climbing, and frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. This position requires shift work, which includes weekends, holidays, and overtime.

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 the 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.