City Careers

Employment Opportunity: Police Officer

Job Description/Responsibilities:

The Buena Vista Police Department is seeking applicants interested in a rewarding career in professional law enforcement. Officers take responsibility for the enforcement of laws and ordinances pursuant to the City of Buena Vista, State, and Federal Governments, as well as providing assistance to the public. Officers are subjected to hazardous and life threatening situations and must maintain an effective working relationship with the public and other employees.

Additionally, officers will patrol designated areas of the City of Buena Vista to preserve law and order and to prevent and discover the commission of crime, to direct traffic, and to enforce motor vehicle laws. As directed, they will answer calls and complaints involving suspicious and criminal activities, domestic disputes, and other related citizen requests for service. Each officer shall be responsible for maintaining records, reports and all other duties as assigned.

Minimal Qualifications Include:

• High school graduate or GED certification
• Must be 21 years of age;
• Possess a valid Virginia driver’s license;
• Must be a citizen of the United States or possess permanent resident status as granted by the I.N.S.
• No convictions of felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude or domestic violence.
• Must not have been released or discharged under dishonorable conditions from any U.S. Military Services.

Applicants must successfully complete a written examination, physical agility testing, oral interviews, extensive background investigation, medical examination, drug screen, etc.

How to Apply:

Individuals interested in this position should complete a Buena Vista Police Department application and submit it to:

Buena Vista Police Department
306 Park Avenue
Buena Vista, VA 24416
Contact (540) 261-6174 with questions.
Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment Opportunities - Public Works Director

Job Description

Under broad policy guidance and direction of the City Manager, performs professional administrative, managerial, and supervisory duties in planning, directing, and coordinating the operations of the Public Works Department to include: street maintenance, building maintenance, stormwater program, fleet maintenance, solid waste collections, and construction project management, and related work as apparent or assigned.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists in the development of policies; researches and analyzes specific information upon request; and supports administrative decision-making processes.
• Provides overall supervision of Public Works personnel; approves hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions, and terminations within the department. Establishes and evaluates performance standards and assists in resolving complex personnel matters.
• Works with City staff in the development, negotiation, and presentation of departmental budgets; monitors/approves expenditures and ensures fiscal accountability; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies
• Plans, coordinates, and provides overall direction for Public Works operations; prepares and presents comprehensive plans for the improvement and expansion of departmental facilities and services; establishes long-range goals and objectives.
• Maintains cooperative working relationships with other City departments, community organizations, and the public to explain and discuss departmental functions; prepares required reports for City Council, City departments, governmental agencies, and the public.
• Represents the Public Works Department at meetings; research grant opportunities; prepares, submits, and negotiates grant applications; administers awarded federal and state grants.
• Coordinates and works with architects, engineers, and consulting firms on public works projects.
• Ensures the proper safety training and practices of staff, to include all documentation and recording of any/all training
• Work beyond normal business hours, attend evening meetings and/or perform weekend work
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimun/Preferred Qualifications 

Education & Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business management, public administration, engineering, recreation management, or a closely related field, and six (6) years of progressively responsible management or administrative experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in local government and/or public works or community development is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of public works and community development projects, policies, and procedures; grant research and writing; and budget development and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques involved in developing and operating municipal systems, including road maintenance, refuse collection, snow and leaf removal, landscaping, forestry, and related public services.
• Ability to administer large and complex work programs; prepare and present budget estimates; and coordinate major construction, maintenance, and infrastructure improvement projects.
• Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and evaluate employees; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license, CDL preferred
• Water/sewer license and OSHA certifications preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Physical Demands: Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with periodic outdoor work involving inspections of land use developments, construction sites, and public works facilities.  While performing job duties, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, talk, or hear; occasionally use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and exposure may be required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in office, vehicle, and outdoor environments, in varying weather conditions and temperature extremes, during both day and occasional night hours.

 The employee may occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and be exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, or toxic or caustic chemicals. Noise levels are generally quiet to moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents with this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. The job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The City of Buena Vista, Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a salary range of $81,388.17 - $114,930.94 and benefits including medical insurance and enrollment in the Virginia Retirement System. 

How to Apply:

Submit resumes to Christina Ruley, Director of of Human Resources at cruley@bvcity.org

Deadline to apply is Friday, February 27th, 2026

Christina Ruley, Human Resources Director
2039 Sycamore Avenue
Buena Vista, VA 24416
Email: cruley@bvcity.org
Contact (540)261-1444 with questions.

Employment Opportunities - Parks and Recreation Director

Job Description

The Director operates under the executive direction of the City Manager and requires significant independence and initiative in accomplishing program objectiveness and effective operations. The Director performs professional administrative, managerial, and supervisory duties and is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the comprehensive operations/maintenance programs of the Parks and Recreation Department.  

Key Responsibilities

• Oversees all operations of the Buena Vista Parks and Recreation programs and facilities.
• Coordinates the selection of personnel to serve in the Department of Parks and Recreation; Supervises employees: hires, trains, schedules, assigns, and monitors work; evaluates performance; disciplines staff; prepares and submits timecards.
• Oversees all business transactions including accounting, purchasing, budgeting, and inventory management of assigned facilities.
• Maintains effective public relations and represents the City of Buena Vista
• Provides leadership and direction to employees to organize, coordinate, and manage the performance of professional, technical, maintenance and clerical support personnel to achieve the strategic goals of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
• Responsible for budget preparation, development and monitoring.
• Research and apply for grants as needed
• Recommends acquisition and directs the development and maintenance of park and playground areas, structures and facilities, pool and trails
• Manages a flexible program of recreational activities for all segments, social groups, ages, and interest levels within the community.
• Cultivates collaboration and partnerships among city and external agencies, and residents; identifies and develops plans to address neighborhood, parks, recreation, and open space needs
• Directs communications and promotional activities to encourage citizen support, participation, attendance, and interest in parks, recreation, and outdoor space programs.
• Collaborates with various public, private, non-profit, and individuals to promote departmental community-building activities and to ascertain desired or needed services.
• Reviews and analyzes systems and processes, equipment usage, and performance to find ways of increasing effectiveness, improving results, and achieving improved cost efficiency in service delivery.
• Performs as facilitator, advisor, and technical expert in terms of natural resources and management for the City Manager, City Council, municipal departments, and the public; makes formal presentations and public policy recommendations.
• Reviews and analyzes the effectiveness of projects and programs and revises in accordance with current customer needs and desires.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of programs and strategic plans for the betterment of the community.

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation Administration, Business Administration, Physical Education, or a closely related field and Minimum of two (2) years of experience in operating a municipal facility or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• If there is an equivalent amount of experience and training in a related field that may be considered in lieu of a degree

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Must possess a valid Virginia Driver’s License.
• Extensive knowledge of recreational management and facility maintenance.
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate events
• Excellent communication skills: ability to interact positively with the public and maintain a congenial rapport with staff and patrons.
• OSHA certifications and swimming pool operator license preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Physical Demands: Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with periodic outdoor work involving inspections of land use developments, construction sites, and public works facilities.  While performing job duties, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, talk, or hear; occasionally use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and exposure may be required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in office, vehicle, and outdoor environments, in varying weather conditions and temperature extremes, during both day and occasional night hours.

 The employee may occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and be exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, or toxic or caustic chemicals. Noise levels are generally quiet to moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents with this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. The job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The City of Buena Vista, Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a salary range of $64,608.55 - $91,235.88 and benefits including medical insurance and enrollment in the Virginia Retirement System. 

How to Apply:

Submit resumes to Christina Ruley, Director of Human Resources at cruley@bvcity.org

Deadline to apply is Friday, February 27, 2026

Christina Ruley, Human Resources Director
2039 Sycamore Avenue
Buena Vista, VA 24416
Email: cruley@bvcity.org
Contact (540)261-1444 with questions.