Natural Resources Planner

Title: Natural Resources Planner

State Role Title:Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location:MAIN STREET CENTRE

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the states lead conservation agency and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.

Virginias award-winning state park system a division of DCR 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. Our parks encompass over 75000 acres offering campsites cabins trails shorelines lakes and ponds international dark sky sites and over 20000 educational programs and workshops each year.

As the Natural Resources Planner you will assist DCRs State Parks Planner in facilitating the development of park resource plans and other products in a manner that ensures the sustainability and long-term viability of the Commonwealths cultural and natural resource base while providing and enhancing appropriate public utilization.

In this position you will:

• Lead the development management and routine updates of Natural Resource Management Plans for Virginia State Parks including plan preparation coordination with Resource Management and Operations staff field work writing and data management utilizing ESRI Hub and GIS StoryMaps.
• Complete the development of specialized natural resources-related planning efforts such as comprehensive trail plans or invasive species plans for Virginia State Parks.
• Assist the State Parks Planner with the development writing design editing and/or review of manuals reports documents guidelines and policy related to resource management topics in partnership with a variety of Virginia State Parks teams.
• Aid the State Parks Planner through the DCR Master Planning process as assigned.
• Provide additional field support for the Resource Management Team such as assistance with field work studies surveys data collection and maintaining various geospatial and non-geospatial databases on an as-needed basis.
• Attend staff meetings and employee training as required.

This position is based in our Richmond VA office with partial telework options available.

DCRs Mission is to conserve the natural scenic historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCRs efforts to CONSERVE.

Minimum Qualifications

• Expressed knowledge of Virginias natural resources ecosystems invasive species and associated resource management techniques.
• Familiarity with ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software products such as ArcPro and ArcGIS Online.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft applications including Microsoft Suite including Word Excel Access Outlook PowerPoint and Teams.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated skills in document writing design editing and review intended for a variety of internal or external audiences.

Additional Considerations

• Education training or experience in Resource Management Natural Resources Environmental Science Environmental Studies Park Planning Landscape Architecture Geographic Information Systems or a related field.
• Experience in resource management planning for parks wildlife refuges natural areas or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and related projects through ArcGIS Online ArcPro and/or HUB.

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. 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 Drivers License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Employment in all positions within the Virginia State Parks is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check including a criminal history record check.

Minorities individuals with disabilities veterans and people with National/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

Wage/seasonal positions are not eligible for Commonwealth of Virginia benefits (health care paid leave etc.) and are limited to 1500 hours from May 1 to April 30. DCR does provide an opportunity for wage employees to participate in tax-deferred compensation programs supplemental disability insurance and supplemental retirement accounts made available through the Commonwealths provider network at the employees expense.

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 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:

In support of the Commonwealths 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 .

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.