About

Employment

Join our team! Learn about the employment process, current employment opportunities and benefits.

Full Time Opportunities

• Administrative positions
• History programs
• Management positions
• Nature programs
• Older Adults Programs
• Outdoor Adventure leadership
• Parks Maintenance workers
• Recreation Center management
• Special Events
• Therapeutic Recreation programs

Part-Time Opportunities

• Facility Supervision
• Seasonal Parks Maintenance workers
• Sports Facility Supervision
• Summer Camp leadership

Sponsorship

Parks and Recreation has a variety of opportunities for businesses to be involved in community activities. For more information, contact Vicki Kiger by email or call 804-748-1992.

Volunteer

Learn more about county opportunities by visiting Community Engagement and Volunteerism's Volunteer Services page. To volunteer for Parks and Recreation, complete the Parks and Recreation volunteer application (PDF).

• Bensley Recreation Center: Contact Kate Sheehan
• Brown and Williamson Conservation Area and Dutch Gap Conservation Area: Contact Mark Battista
• Eagle Scout Projects: Contact Mark Battista
• Ettrick Recreation Center: Contact Tiffani Davis
• Henricus Historical Park: Contact Charlie Grant
• Historical Programs and Sites: Contact Bryan Truzzie
• Older Adult Programs: Contact Tonya Leabough
• Outdoor Recreation Programs: Contact Greg Velzy
• Parks Sites: Contact Stan Thorne
• Rockwood Nature Center: Contact Coline Hay
• Summer Camp Counselor in Training: Contact Ericka Bynum
• Special Events: Contact Vicki Kiger
• Therapeutic Recreation: Contact Jessie Honaker

Volunteer Monument Hall of Fame

The Volunteer Monument Hall of Fame program seeks to recognize outstanding volunteer service which supports the mission of the Parks and Recreation Department. To apply, view the Volunteer Monument Hall of Fame guidelines (PDF) and complete the application (PDF).

Environmental Stewardship

• Monitoring of vernal pools on county property with assistance from the Virginia Master Naturalist Program.
• Monitoring of blue bird nesting boxes in various county parks.
• Monitoring of wood duck nesting boxes at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area.
• Working with Master Naturalists to tag monarch butterflies.
• Monitoring species of butterflies and dragonflies at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Public education programs to net, identify, and release butterflies and dragonflies.
• Designated no-mow zone at Dutch Gap Conservation Area and planted milkweed for monarchs.
• Worked with Center for Conservation Biology to set up nesting boxes for the American kestrel.
• Identifying bald eagle nesting sites on county property.
• Coordination with licensed bird banders who conduct the prothonotary warbler study and the MAPS program (monitoring avian productivity and survivorship).
• Assisting the Richmond Audubon Society in the annual winter bird count.
• Identification and management of wildflower data for county parks.
• Native plant gardens in the parks. Two at Rockwood Nature Center.
• Coordination with a variety of groups (such as scouts, Sail Angels, etc.) in conducting trash cleanup at park sites.
• 92 miles of riverfront on the Appomattox and James rivers
• Management of over 1,700 acres in five conservation areas.
• 15 historical sites with 240 acres are preserved
• Promotion of Chesterfield’s Bikeways and Trails Plan implementation as a means of alternative transportation (reducing pollution and reliance on fuels). Maintain 42 miles of trails.
• The design approach and input for all parks planning projects includes multidisciplinary teams that focus on cross-function and environmental outcomes (eg. engineers, landscape architects, operations and maintenance teams, building supervisors and recreation programmers).
• Parks maintenance staff operate under a manual of Environmental Management SOPs that cover pesticide management, fueling, spill response, oil management, recycling of paint, aerosol can management, along with many others.
• The park system has been the beneficiary of total or partial land donations at 28 sites representing 2,344 total acres. There are four sites acquired with grant funding and six sites with a combination of both land donation and grant funding, totaling 1,718 acres of parkland. In all, outside funding and resources have contributed to the development of almost half of the current park system.
• Incorporation of sustainable practices in park design and construction projects:
  • Beulah Recreation Center - Retrofit solar power, replacement of ornamental plants with native plant species and demonstration gardens
  • Cogbill Park - Plans specify native plant materials for this park development
  • Park maintenance and redevelopment plan - Converts turf areas in identified parks to limited mowing to include diversified meadows and woodlands
  • Rockwood Park - Plans for enhanced apiary, pollinator gardens, and wildlife planting demonstration gardens
• The department manages conservation easements held by the Department of Historic Resources and Capital Region Land Conservancy. A requirement of each easement is for the easement holder to monitor the land under protection. A link to the 2019 conservation easement monitoring report for each park follows.
  • Battery Dantzler (PDF)
  • Brown and Williamson Conservation Area (PDF)
  • Eppington Plantation (PDF)
  • Historic Point of Rocks Park (PDF)
  • Howlett Line (PDF)
    
    To receive a hard copy of this information, email Janit Llewellyn or call 804-751-4482.
• Pocahontas State Park resides in central Chesterfield County. The park totals 7,919 acres with over 64 miles of trails and three lakes among many other amenities. Built in the 1930’s, the park conserves historical and natural resources while offering recreational opportunities to the public.
• Cooperative Extension offers information and programs for residents to become better environmental stewards. Learn about how to increase sustainability through land care programs. Services also include the Plant Disease Clinic. Contact staff at [email protected] or 804-751-4401.
• Department staff are working on a Sustainability Plan for Parks and Recreation with representatives from Cooperative Extension, General Services, Environmental Engineering, Community Enhancement, Utilities , Risk Management, Communications and Media, as well as Virginia Commonwealth University. The plan will address department needs for long-term environmental sustainability by analyzing current practices and proposing recommendations. In efforts to reach sustainable outcomes, the plan will work simultaneously with the Parks and Recreation environmental stewardship efforts and address conservation, environmental monitoring, health and wellness, and promoting sustainable practices to the community. A survey of citizens was completed in March 2022 to assess community interests, awareness, and identify sustainability goals, objectives, and opportunities.

Environmental Awards

• 2010 VRPS Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways and Trails: John J. Radcliffe Appomattox River Conservation Area Trail
• 2016 VRPS Best New Renovation - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways and Trails: Dodd Park Trails Renovation
• 2018 NACPRO Trails and Corridors Award: Dodd Park Trails Renovation
• 2018 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Small Project Award from the US Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement: Mid-Lothian Mines Park
• 2019 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award Gold Medal: Dutch Gap Relic River Trail and Water Access
• 2019 Virginia Treasures Designation from the Virginia Secretary for Natural Resources: James River Conservation Area
• 2019 NACPRO Environmental/Conservation Award: James River Conservation Area
• 2019 NACPRO Trails and Corridors Award: Relic River Boardwalk at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area

If you would like to assist in conservation or environmental protection efforts, please contact our department at 804-748-1623 or [email protected].

Essential Eligibility Requirements

Essential Eligibility Requirements ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for individuals both with and without disabilities. The requirements outline general prerequisite skills regarding safety, endurance, behaviors, personal care and medical issues. Essential Eligibility Requirements will be sent out with the Participant Profile. If an individual cannot meet all the requirements, the Therapeutic Recreation staff will assist in finding a more suitable program.

Inclusion Statement

We invite individuals with disabilities to take part in any course listed in the department program guide. To ensure an individual's success in a program, staff known as inclusion coaches will be available to provide assistance. The Therapeutic Recreation staff provide assistance based on reasonable accommodations, which are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please give us at least three weeks notice prior to the course or program start date to make reasonable accommodations.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department provides opportunities and recreation programs that are open and accessible to all citizens in the county regardless of race, color, nationality, age, sex, religion, socioeconomic status or level of physical or intellectual ability.