Natural Resource Specialist II

Join Our Team at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)! We are hiring! Join us in preserving what people care about most – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure. Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation touches all Virginians’ lives. 

We are accepting applications for a District Resources Management Assistant position.

This position will assist the District Resource Specialist with implementing resource management projects across Virginia State Park District 4, which includes Bear Creek Lake, High Bridge Trail, Holliday Lake, Pocahontas, Powhatan, Sailor's Creek Battlefield, Staunton River Battlefield, and Twin Lakes State Parks.

This position is based at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The position requires daily travel throughout the assigned geographical area and occasional overnight travel.

Duties will entail:

• Assist the District IV Resource Specialist
• Supervise seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers in performing resource management activities including invasive species treatment, prescribed burns, trail work, GIS data collection and management, boundary marking, plant and wildlife surveys, habitat restoration, and other tasks.
• Will also provide state park/system-wide support in data management using ESRI Arc Pro.
• Working in a variety of outdoor conditions and terrain, including heat, cold, rain, humidity, insects, dust, etc.

Wage/seasonal positions are not eligible for Commonwealth of Virginia benefits (health care, paid leave, etc.) and are limited to 1,500 hours from May 1 to April 30.

DCR provides the opportunity for wage employees to participate in tax-deferred compensation programs, supplemental disability insurance, and supplemental retirement accounts made available through the Commonwealth’s provider network at the employee’s expense.

DCR is the state’s lead conservation agency, providing access for outdoor recreation, strengthening communities’ flood resilience, and protecting what Virginians care about: clean water, parks, natural habitat, and open spaces. 

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

• Basic knowledge of resource management issues, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of regional tree/ non-woody plant species and ecosystems; tree and plant identification skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Valid driver’s license required

Note - Position requires:

• Virginia Registered Technician Certification (pesticide) License, if not currently licensed, will need to be obtained within 6 months.
• DCR Sawyer Apprentice qualification or the ability to obtain within 6 months
   

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge and experience using ESRI ArcPro and/ or ArcGIS Online, or other GIS software.
• Experience or demonstrated ability to operate, organize, and maintain tools and equipment associated with resource management, such as trail tools, pesticide application equipment, utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), small gas-powered engines, etc.
• Experience training and leading volunteers, interns, or staff.
• NWCG (FFT2) crew-level certification preferred. Certification must be obtained within 12 months
• DCR Apprentice Sawyer or equivalent preferred. Certification must be obtained within 6 months