Now Hiring: Park Ranger – Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Breaks Interstate Park
Full-Time Position | Breaks, Virginia
Starting Salary: $42,000 per year, with a salary increase upon successful graduation from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy
Application Deadline: 4 p.m. on October 19, 2026

Breaks Interstate Park is accepting applications for a full-time Park Ranger – Public Safety & Law Enforcement position.

This is a unique opportunity for someone interested in a career that combines law enforcement, public safety, outdoor recreation, visitor service, and hands-on park operations.

The successful candidate will serve as a law-enforcement ranger responsible for protecting park visitors, employees, facilities, and natural and cultural resources. In addition to traditional ranger and public-safety responsibilities, this position will have an important operational role at one of the park’s signature adventure attractions: the Canyon Rim Zipline Tour.

The ranger will assist with the operation and supervision of the park’s zipline facility, including seasonal staff supervision, daily operations, safety procedures, guest service, and emergency response. The ranger will also assist the Chief Ranger of Law Enforcement with trail maintenance, construction, and natural-resource-management functions. Experience in these areas is a plus.

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Responsibilities

The Park Ranger – Public Safety & Law Enforcement will:

• Patrol park property by vehicle and on foot.

• Enforce applicable laws, park rules, and regulations.

• Respond to calls for law-enforcement and public-safety assistance.

• Conduct initial investigations of criminal incidents, accidents, and other violations.

• Assist with emergency response, search and rescue, special events, and crowd management.

• Protect park facilities and natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

• Provide information, assistance, and directions to park visitors.

• Work cooperatively with local, state, and other public-safety agencies.

• Assist with trail, facility, boundary, and general park-safety inspections.

Zipline Operations and Supervision

An important component of this position will be assisting with the operation and supervision of the Canyon Rim Zipline Tour.

Responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the facility’s day-to-day operation and supervision.

• Helping supervise and coordinate seasonal zipline staff.

• Supporting staff training and ensuring that established safety and operating procedures are followed.

• Assisting with opening, closing, and daily operational readiness.

• Providing excellent customer service to zipline participants.

• Assisting with scheduling, documentation, and other supervisory responsibilities.

• Responding to incidents or emergencies and assisting with established rescue and emergency procedures.

• Completing and maintaining required zipline-operations training.

Applicants must be comfortable working at heights and outdoors in physically demanding conditions.

A Park Ranger First

This is not solely a traditional law-enforcement assignment.

Our rangers are an integral part of the overall operation of Breaks Interstate Park. The successful candidate should be comfortable moving from a patrol or emergency response to assisting visitors, supporting a major park event, supervising zipline operations, inspecting a trail, or helping address another operational need.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working outdoors, interacting with the public, solving problems, and taking on the wide variety of responsibilities involved in protecting and operating a major public recreation destination.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Be at least 21 years of age.

• Be a United States citizen.

• Possess a high school diploma or GED.

• Possess a valid driver’s license.

• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather and terrain conditions.

• Be comfortable working at heights and able to complete required zipline-operations training.

• Be willing and able to work evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call assignments as necessary.

• Meet all applicable requirements for appointment and service as a law-enforcement officer.

Current Virginia DCJS law-enforcement certification is preferred, but applicants who are not currently certified may be considered.

The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Academy and all other required training and certification requirements.

An extensive criminal background check will be conducted on all applicants. Employment will be contingent upon successfully completing all applicable background, physical, psychological or behavioral, drug-screening, and other law-enforcement suitability requirements.

The Candidate We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone who demonstrates professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, initiative, leadership, and a genuine commitment to public service.

The ideal candidate will enjoy the variety that comes with being a park ranger—whether responding to an emergency, assisting a visitor, conducting a patrol, supervising zipline operations, working a special event, or protecting the natural resources that make Breaks Interstate Park special.

For someone who enjoys both public safety and outdoor adventure, this position provides an opportunity to build a career in one of Appalachia’s most distinctive public landscapes.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit both a completed physical application and a current résumé.

Completed applications and résumés may be:

• Delivered to the Business Office at 627 Commission Drive, Breaks, VA 24607; or

• Mailed to P.O. Box 100, Breaks, VA 24607.

All application materials must be received by 4 p.m. on October 19, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Questions may be directed to Austin Bradley at abradley@breakspark.com.

Breaks Interstate Park Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer.