CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER 1
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a Conservation Police Officer 3, or other supervisory official, as a sworn law enforcement officer, in the Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection, enforces all laws of the State of New Jersey and Federal Government enacted for the protection and management of fish and wildlife resources and other related environmental enforcement activities to protect the natural resources and the health of the public within the State in accordance with Titles 23, 39, 50, 58, 2C-Code of Criminal Justice and the Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 7:25 et. seq.; executes all processes issued for the violation of these laws, serves subpoenas issued for the examination, investigation or trial of all offenses against these laws, conducts environmental inspections and investigations and collects field information to determine compliance with the appropriate environmental laws and regulations; exercises all the powers and duties conferred by law while conducting regular duties; educates and informs the public regarding the rules, laws, procedures and management practices regarding the recreational and commercial uses of fish, game and wildlife to ensure the protection of the environment; provides security services for the waters, land, flora and fauna under the guidelines for Homeland Security; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A 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:
Conducts field investigations, inspections, and patrols a designated area of the State by various means which may include motor vehicle, boat, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), foot, etc.
Conducts environmental inspections and investigations and collects field information to determine compliance with the appropriate environmental laws and regulations.
Gathers data and samples following accepted scientific protocols to provide input to division fish and wildlife biologists to develop fish and wildlife management and research programs.
Patrols designated State Wildlife Management Areas to ensure proper use of the area, and to protect its resources from various types of illegal activity.
Coordinates enforcement efforts with other officers and agencies, i.e., Federal, State, County and municipal police departments and Park Rangers, to deal with environmental violations that place the natural resources and public at risk. This includes but is not limited to Titles 23, 39, 50, 2C-Code of Criminal Justice, Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 7:25, et. seq.
Provides information and conducts educational programs using appropriate visual aids and materials, for various audiences interested in the fish and wildlife resources and wildlife management areas.
Recommends appropriate areas for the stocking of fish and game within a patrol area.
Works with program management providing law enforcement consultation for natural resources, interpretation, and education programs.
Patrols waterways, oceans, bays, rivers, lakes, and streams on state and private lands to ensure compliance with N.J.S.A. Title 23.
Conducts investigations of applicants applying for licenses and permits for the purchase, sale, and housing of nongame and endangered species of birds and animals, including exotic and potentially dangerous species.
Has discretionary authority to close licensed agent accounts and seizes records and files based upon the review of delinquent accounts or suspect license agents, submits a report of findings.
Conducts initial and follow-up reviews of stream improvement and land use projects with private landowners for the benefit of the hunting and fishing public and the protection of threatened and endangered species from unlawful land use practices.
Notifies or assists state and local public health officials, in investigating and responding to cases of diseases in wildlife, particularly where there is a potential danger to public health.
Investigates reports of hunter-related accidents and recommends legal action where findings indicate negligence and serves as an expert witness for the State.
Assists the Forest Fire Service in the detection and suppression of forest fires and the investigation in cases of suspected arson.
Prepares lesson plans and conducts instructional sessions concerning Title 23, and other related environmental laws and regulations for law enforcement training academies and outside agencies, may provide training to municipal police officers and other law enforcement personnel in responding to potentially dangerous wildlife situations.
Takes the initiative for crash injury management, and in triaging victims as trained, until properly relieved by authorized emergency medical personnel, for law enforcement.
Conducts investigations of potential wrongdoing, maintains notes, completes required reports; collects, protects, and preserves ballistic and biological evidence and ensures the chain of evidence is unbroken.
Prepares affidavits and search warrants for investigations involving illegal removal and/or possession of regulated fish and wildlife species and other environmental violations.
Completes reports for prosecution actions, follows-up on enforcement actions to ensure compliance.
Investigates reports of water pollution site, dumpsite, etc. and predetermines the type of pollution and the testing parameters required, collects samples for the determination of dissolved oxygen and pollutant type, preserves these samples in accordance with standard procedures for quality assurance according to chain of evidence protocols.
Conducts on-scene pH and water temperature tests, and other tests as appropriate according to scientific protocols.
Conducts joint task force pollution operations with other law enforcement and environmental agencies to protect critical areas of the environment.
Participates in air and sea patrols with federal agencies to ensure compliance with laws and regulations concerning foreign and domestic commercial fishing activities.
Conducts dockside investigations of commercial fishing vessels and/or is assigned to ships to observe commercial harvests to ensure compliance with the Federal Conservation Management Act permit requirements and catch limitations.
Conducts investigations, inspections and audits of individuals involved in the harvest and sale of shellfish to ensure compliance with Title 50 and 58 laws for a safe product, integrity of shellfish industry and to protect the public health.
Participates in efforts for the protection and/or removal of stranded marine mammals and endangered species.
Upon being deputized or certified, serves as a Deputy Game Warden of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or as a Deputy Special Agent for the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Responds to nuisance wildlife complaints concerning potentially dangerous species.
Responds to and investigates all Wildlife Violators Hotline tips and reports the determination if enforcement actions are necessary.
Conducts covert investigations in the Special Investigative Unit and conducts joint operations with other law enforcement and environmental agencies and assists the Special Investigative Unit with warrant services and the issuance of summonses.
Prepares reports and correspondence for assigned field investigations involving the fish, game and wildlife resources containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Properly cares for, utilizes, and maintains assigned equipment.
Maintains essential records and files.
Will be required to learn how 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 an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the Biological Sciences, Biology, Biostatistics, Microbiology, Natural Science, Zoology, Marine Science, Wildlife Biology, Marine Biology, Animal Science, Botany, Physics, Wildlife Science/Conservation, Fisheries Science, Wildlife Management, Conservation Law Enforcement, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies or Environmental Science. The Bachelor's degree must include or be supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in any combination of the following areas: Fisheries Science, Wildlife Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management or Biological Sciences.
NOTE: A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education, Parks and Recreation or Criminal Justice supplemented by thirty (30) semester hour credits in any combination of the subject areas indicated above will be considered acceptable.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
CITIZENSHIP:
Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
TRAINING:
Appointees must be able to satisfactorily complete the police training course administered by the New Jersey State Police or other accredited police training academy certified by the Police Training Commission (PTC). Such training includes successful attainment of a level of proficiency in the use of firearms.
NOTE: Appointees to this position must successfully qualify semi-annually in the use of firearms.
MEDICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM:
Candidates certified from the eligible list for this title will be required to undergo medical and psychological examinations administered by the appointing authority.
RESIDENCY:
Appointees will be required to establish residence in a specific geographic area of the state within nine (9) months of appointment.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
Appointees may be required to obtain a motorboat operator's license issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and a Boating Safety Certificate from a program approved by the New Jersey State Police.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Appointees have no law enforcement powers or authority until they have successfully completed all required Division and PTC training and are officially sworn in.
WORKING TEST PERIOD:
Appointees must successfully complete the required twelve (12) month working test period in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:4-5.2(d). The inability of an employee in this title to attain a satisfactory level of performance shall be considered a cause for separation.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of natural resources, and fish and wildlife management, and the techniques of gathering information on these resources, their environment and requirements, and the resource users.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of fish and wildlife management, and the recreational and commercial use of these resources.
Knowledge of interview techniques and investigative methods.
Knowledge of law enforcement methods.
Knowledge of the principles of fisheries and wildlife science, and their relationship to the development and enforcement of laws and regulations.
Knowledge of the techniques used to identify water and soil pollution.
Knowledge of the procedures used to prepare affidavits and search warrants.
Knowledge of citizens’ rights concerning arrest, prosecution, search and seizure, and confiscation of evidence.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in covert investigations.
Knowledge of the methods used to detect and apprehend law violators.
Ability to collect samples from water and soil.
Ability to conduct investigations, prepare cases for court and follow through to disposition.
Ability to instruct volunteers and the public about hunter safety according to established Fish and Game laws and regulations.
Ability to work outdoors for extensive periods of time under varying climatic conditions and all types of terrain.
Ability to operate outboard motorboats and other small craft, including canoes on inland and coastal waterways.
Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
Ability to handle and use firearms safely and correctly.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the program.
Ability to confer with supervisors, Deputy Attorneys General, county, and municipal prosecutors to prepare cases for hearings and/or trials.
Ability to understand the laws and/or regulations associated with Title 23, Title 39, Title 50, and Title 58.
Ability to understand the procedures to prepare cases for court and final case disposition.
Ability to work joint investigations and patrols with federal, other state, county, and municipal authorities.
Ability to train lower-level officers in proper wildlife law enforcement procedures and methods.
Ability to conduct training programs in conjunction with assigned duties and responsibilities, this may include, but not be limited to schools, police departments and/or various community groups.
Ability to communicate effectively to educate and inform the public on the biological principles associated with the rules, laws, procedures, and management practices pertaining to the use of fish, game, wildlife, and natural resources.
Ability to act quickly and decisively during emergency situations.
Ability to maintain all issued equipment.
Ability to prepare correspondence and reports.
Ability to maintain essential records and files.
Ability to learn how 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 the 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 if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it may cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
