STATE PARK POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE

DEFINITION

Under close supervision of a State Park Police Sergeant or higher 
level law enforcement officer in State Park Police or the Director, 
Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental 
Protection, during an assigned tour of duty learns to perform varied 
tasks required to provide the public assistance, law enforcement 
functions, and to foster protection of natural and physical resources 
at state parks, forests, recreation areas, historic sites, marinas, 
botanical gardens, and other Division lands and facilities from time 
to time as needed; acts as liaison with public; enforces laws and 
regulations for the protection and management of the health and 
safety of people and natural and historical resources, as well as 
environmental enforcement activities within the Department of 
Environmental Protection.  After completing all Environmental and 
Law Enforcement training, obtaining certifications and being sworn 
as a law enforcement officer, under supervision of a higher ranking 
officer, executes all processes for violations within Division jurisdiction, 
effectuates arrests, issues summons, and serves warrants; exercises 
all the power and duties conferred by law while conducting regular tour
of duty; provides assistance in educating and informing the public 
through a working knowledge of State forestry, wildlife, habitat and 
watershed management practices, regarding the rules, regulations, 
laws and management practices of State Park Service to enhance 
environmental awareness and stewardship; provides security services 
for people, water, land, and structures under the guidelines of Homeland 
Security after a period of training; does other related duties as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes 
only.  A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed 
in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job 
may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

As a trainee and productive worker:

Uses effective methods of communication with the public and 
provides assistance to the area visitor.

Fosters protection of natural, historical and/or physical resources 
through communication with the public and established methods.

Becomes accomplished in the informational, recreational, and 
procedural activities of the assigned area and for the State Park 
Service in general.

Develops familiarity with the physical characteristics and terrain 
of the assigned area to properly guide and assist visitors in routine 
and emergency situations.

Applies established law enforcement procedures and techniques 
to enforce laws of the State of New Jersey, Homeland Security and 
the Federal government, and to protect visitors and natural, historical 
and physical resources.

Patrols designated Division lands, historic sites and/or facilities by 
various means, which may include on foot, motor vehicle, mountain 
bicycle, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, or water craft to 
increase patrol visibility, prevent crime, ensure proper use of the 
area and protect the resources from illegal activity.

Participates in career and informational programs offered to 
schools and other groups.

May participate in training programs and attend public or private 
functions when assigned as a representative of the Division.

Participates in meetings with Division staff and/or other public 
agencies when assigned.

Works cooperatively with other Division staff members assigned 
to the area to promote efficient park operations and programs.

Provides responsive, courteous customer service to visitors.

Creates a lawful, peaceful and recreational atmosphere in the 
park for the visitor.

Works cooperatively with Federal, State and local agencies to 
establish incident command in the event of a terrorist incident 
or natural disaster.

Educates visitors and promotes public adherence to the rules 
and regulations of the assigned area, and corrects visitors 
violating Federal, State and Division rules, regulations and laws, 
and uses established enforcement practices as a last resort, 
including physical arrest when such action will not cease voluntarily.

Applies regulations, policies, and procedures governing the 
operation and administration of Division lands and facilities.

Regulates and controls vehicular and pedestrian traffic to 
ensure safety and flow of movement.

As a first responder, employs techniques used to prevent forest 
fire, assists in the suppression of forest fires, and reports all fires.

Employs appropriate law enforcement techniques used to prevent, 
investigate and report theft and damage to state property.

Utilizes techniques, policies, and procedures to detect and report 
oil spills, hazardous waste, or dumping on and off state land.

Provides assistance when accidents or illness occurs and calls 
for emergency assistance.

Learns to conduct search and rescue activities pending the arrival 
of emergency responders after a period of training.

Secures facilities, gates, buildings, doors, and windows, and 
raises and lowers flags.

Secures transfer and/or transportation of funds to secure location.

Post boundary and other regulation signs and markings as directed.

Attends mandatory training and obtains and maintains certification 
as required.

Maintains records and files.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic 
and/or manual recording and information systems used by 
the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Graduation from high school or vocational school, or possession 
of an approved high school equivalency certificate.

CITIZENSHIP

Must be a citizen of the United States of America.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the announced 
closing date.

Appointees must satisfactorily complete a Basic Police Training 
Course certified by the Police Training Commission.

Appointees must successfully complete firearm qualifications 
in accord with Police Training Commission guidelines on a 
semiannual basis.

Appointees will be required to attend and successfully complete 
an in-house Division training course which will include but not 
be limited to, Standard Operating Procedures of the State Park 
Service, introduction into Fish and Wildlife rules, regulations, 
policies and procedures, introduction into Forest Fire Service rules, 
regulations, policies and procedures, natural lands management, 
domestic security, protection and preservation of natural and historic 
resources, communication and team building skills, cultural diversity, 
customer service and associated training related to the job assignment(s).

LICENSE

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid for use in New Jersey.

Appointees may also be required to possess other operator's 
licenses as needed, which may include a Commercial Driver's 
License (CDL) and/or a Motorboat Operator's license.

NOTE:  The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess 
the required operator's license (other than a valid driver's license), 
commensurate with the class and type of vehicle(s), equipment or 
water craft they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

SPECIAL NOTE
Appointees must satisfactorily complete a Basic Police Training
Course approved by the Police Training Commission during their 
twelve (12) month training period as a State Park Police Officer 
Trainee.  A candidate who fails, resigns, or is dismissed from the 
Basic Police Training course shall be removed from his/her position 
and also have their name removed from the open-competitive 
eligible list for future vacancies.

Appointees will be required to successfully complete training and 
maintain certification, which includes but is not limited, to the following: 
Certified First Responder, First Aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) 
Oxygen Administration, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use and 
other potential life saving equipment, baton certification and firearm 
qualifications in accordance with the Attorney General's mandates 
and Division requirements; must be able to use Division vehicles 
based on operational needs and work assignments. 

Appointees will be required to use potential life saving equipment 
and to perform potential life saving functions when necessary.

Appointees will not be sworn in to exercise law enforcement powers 
under supervision until appointee has completed all Division and law 
enforcement training.

MEDICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION:

Appointees certified from a Department of Personnel open-competitive 
eligible list for this title will be required to pass a thorough medical and 
psychological examination administered by a qualified representative 
of the appointing authority.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the physical characteristics and terrain of the assigned 
area, after a period of training.

Knowledge of state forestry, wildlife, habitat and watershed 
management practices, after a period of training.

Ability to interpret and apply State/Department/Division laws, 
rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. 

Ability to apply knowledge of law enforcement techniques 
and investigations. 

Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws including 
but not limited to search and seizure rights, confiscation of evidence, 
and the inherent rights of citizens and the relevant laws pertaining to 
the protection of natural and/or historic resources.

Ability to interpret and apply knowledge about the assigned area 
including knowledge of common trees, plants, animals, history of 
landmarks, and location of facilities.

Ability to negotiate physical terrain of the parks to provide 
assistance, emergency or otherwise, to parks visitors.

Ability to enforce rules and regulations of the division and the 
laws of the State of New Jersey.

Ability to interpret and apply forest and park maintenance area 
programs and procedures.

Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with park 
visitors individually or in groups.

Ability to learn to apply public assistance techniques, and to 
learn to enforce laws and regulations. 

Ability to learn to perform potential life saving techniques.

Ability to learn and conduct search and rescue activities.

Ability to understand and apply basic firefighting techniques, and 
to operate forest fire equipment as necessary as a first responder.

Ability to learn quickly from oral or written explanations and 
from demonstrations.

Ability to conform to requirements as to dress, conduct, and behavior.

Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time under varying 
climatic conditions and on all types of terrain.

Ability to lift and carry, for a considerable distance, heavy objects 
including small boats and equipment.

Ability to work effectively and efficiently as a member of a group 
or a team.

Ability to prepare clear, concise correspondence and factual 
investigation reports.

Ability to maintain records and files. 

Ability to learn to respond appropriately under stressful and 
emergency situations. 

Ability to learn to handle and use firearms, batons, chemical 
agents, and other law enforcement equipment safely and properly 
and to meet established proficiency standards.

Ability to pursue and apprehend violators of statute laws, which 
may include but not be limited to effectuating arrests, issuing 
summons and serving warrants.

Ability to assume care, custody and control of persons placed 
under arrest and to use restraining devices as necessary.

Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies and 
procedures in accordance with Homeland Security mandates 
and guidelines.

Ability to inform the public of the rules, regulations, laws and 
management practices of State Park Service.

Ability to operate outboard motorboats and other small craft 
including canoes on inland and coastal waterways, if required 
dependent upon work location.

Ability to prepare, clear concise accurate and factual reports 
and/or correspondence.

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording 
and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in 
English sufficiently to perform duties of this position.  American 
Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable 
forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without
reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be 
made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, 
such persons may not be eligible.

ADVANCEMENT

Appointees who successfully complete the required twelve (12) 
month training period will be eligible for advancement to the title 
of State Park Police Officer under Department of Personnel procedures.

The inability of an employee in this title to obtain a level of 
performance warranting advancement to the title listed above 
shall be considered as cause for separation.

CODES:  99/FA99 -  55173         MER              9/13/08