Jobs in Virginia State Parks

Better Job. Naturally.

Virginia State Parks strives to provide employment opportunities that encourage and enable people to enjoy, protect and restore Virginia’s natural and cultural treasures. We invite you to join the team at one of Virginia’s 42 spectacular state parks. Utilize your historical, educational, organizational, communication or customer service skills while connecting with your love for nature and the outdoors.

Applicants can do something good for themselves and for the state they call home by working at a Virginia State Park!

Job openings

Our seasonal jobs are a great place to start if you're interested in a career in the parks. Maintenance jobs, customer service positions, and lifeguard positions are just a few examples of these jobs. In each case, you will get a taste of what a state park is like to work in.

Click the park name to see open positions and to apply online:

Bear Creek Lake State Park (BC) - Cumberland, VA
Belle Isle State Park (BI) - Lancaster, VA
Breaks Interstate Park (BK) - Breaks, VA
Caledon State Park (CA) - King George, VA
Chippokes State Park (CP) - Surry, VA
Claytor Lake State Park (CL) - Dublin, VA
Clinch River State Park (CR) - Saint Paul, VA
Culpeper Battlefields State Park () - Richmond, VA
Douthat State Park (DO) - Millboro, VA
Fairy Stone State Park (FS) - Stuart, VA
False Cape State Park (FC) - Virginia Beach, VA
First Landing State Park (FL) - Virginia Beach, VA
Grayson Highlands State Park (GH) - Mouth of Wilson, VA
Green Pastures Recreation Area (GP) - Clifton Forge, VA
Hayfields State Park () - Richmond, VA
State Parks Headquarters - Richmond, VA
High Bridge Trail State Park (HB) - Green Bay, VA
Holliday Lake State Park (HL) - Appomattox, VA
Hungry Mother State Park (HM) - Marion, VA
James River State Park (JR) - Gladstone, VA
Kiptopeke State Park (KP) - Cape Charles, VA
Lake Anna State Park (LA) - Spotsylvania, VA
Leesylvania State Park (LE) - Woodbridge, VA

Machicomoco State Park (MA) - Hayes, VA
Mason Neck State Park (MN) - Lorton, VA
Natural Bridge State Park (NB) - Natural Bridge, VA
Natural Tunnel State Park (NT) - Duffield, VA
New River Trail State Park (NR) - Max Meadows, VA
Occoneechee State Park (OC) - Clarksville, VA
Pocahontas State Park (PO) - Chesterfield, VA
Powhatan State Park (PW) - Powhatan, VA
Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park (SH) - Bentonville, VA
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park (SC) - Rice, VA
Seven Bends State Park (SE) - Woodstock, VA
Shot Tower State Park (ST) - Max Meadows, VA
Sky Meadows State Park (SK) - Delaplane, VA
Smith Mountain Lake State Park (SM) - Huddleston, VA
Southwest Virginia Museum (SW) - Big Stone Gap, VA
Staunton River Battlefield State Park (SB) - Randolph, VA
Staunton River State Park (SR) - Scottsburg, VA
Sweet Run State Park (SN) - Hillsboro, VA
Twin Lakes State Park (TL) - Green Bay, VA
Westmoreland State Park (WE) - Montross, VA
Widewater State Park (WW) - Stafford, VA
Wilderness Road State Park (WR) - Ewing, VA
York River State Park (YR) - Williamsburg, VA

Job descriptions

(click the plus sign to see the description)

Performs tasks such as mowing grass, weed eating, raking and leaf removal, trash and litter removal, cleaning grounds and other facilities as needed, and may assist skilled park staff in light construction projects or other specialized tasks. Position will assist with Special Events and program set-up, merchandise sales and other duties. Learn more about what a maintenance ranger does.

Assists visitors by providing information regarding park services, amenities, and other local attractions. Primary duties include fee collection, cash management and maintaining records of annual pass holders.

Supports the operation of the park through a range of duties including groundskeeping; trash pickup and removal; cleaning buildings, restrooms, and campground; assisting skilled trades employees in their duties.

Oversees the housekeeping operations within a state park. Duties include personnel management of housekeeping staff; cleaning of park buildings and grounds; completing basic repairs and preventative maintenance of park buildings; management of inventory.

Performs general grounds care such as mowing, string trimming, litter clean up and brush clearing, regular facility maintenance, such as light construction and cleaning, trail maintenance and construction, and any other park related duties as assigned.

Provides information on reservation procedures/information, park fees, including amenities throughout the park and provides clear and accurate information on park interpretive programs, and local area attractions. Performs clerical duties such as answering telephones, copying and typing correspondence.

Provides meaningful educational experiences for park guests by interpreting the significance of the park's natural/historical/and cultural resources. Responsible for maintaining interpretive displays throughout the park and assisting with the daily care and health of all exhibit animals. Learn more about what an interpretive ranger does.

Provides meaningful educational opportunities and experiences for park guests by interpreting the significance of the park's natural/historical/and cultural resources. Staff visitor contact areas, performs roving interpretation in the park, and provides area information adhering to the DCR and State Park mission.

Supervises staff, assisting with scheduling, assisting with keeping track of inventory and keeping track of canoe and kayak rentals.

Safeguards and regulates the conduct of patrons to prevent unsafe practices and accidents. Strictly enforces policies, rules and regulations governing the conduct of patrons and promptly warns users of existing safety hazards. Performs rescues and appropriate follow-up procedures including the use of any available equipment in the performance of First Aid/CPR.

Additional park positions: