STATE PARK POLICE OFFICER
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a State Park Police Sergeant or other higher level law enforcement officer in New Jersey State Park Police, State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites Program, or New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, during an assigned tour of duty, performs public assistance and resource protection; functions as a sworn law enforcement officer for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and other Department lands and facilities as needed; acts as liaison with the 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; executes all processes for violations within the State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites’ jurisdiction; effectuates arrests and issues summons; authorized to serve warrants; exercises all the powers and duties conferred by law while conducting regular tour of duty; educates and informs the public, through a working knowledge of forest, wildlife, habitat and watershed management practices, regarding the rules, regulations, laws and management practices of State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and to enhance environmental awareness and stewardship; provides security services for people, water, land, and structures 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:
Uses effective methods of communication with the public and assists the area visitor.
Applies established law enforcement procedures, instructions, and techniques to enforce New Jersey laws and regulations, Homeland Security, and the Federal Government, and ensures that people and the natural, historical and/or physical resources as well as park visitors are protected.
Encourages positive public relations by providing the public with information or explanations concerning landmarks, historic events, plants, animals, recreational activities, and appreciation and protection for natural and historic resources.
Assists and guides visitors with the physical characteristics and terrain of the assigned area in routine and emergency situations.
Educates visitors about and promotes public adherence to the rules and regulations of the assigned area and corrects visitors violating Federal, State and State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program rules, regulations and laws and uses progressive enforcement practices as a last resort.
Creates a lawful, peaceful, and recreational atmosphere in the park for the visitor.
Works cooperatively with federal, state, county and municipal agencies to establish incident command in the event of a critical incident or natural disaster.
Patrols designated State Parks Forests & Historic Sites and/or facilities by various means, which may include but not be limited to, on foot, motor vehicle, mountain or electronic bicycle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles or watercraft to increase patrol visibility, prevent crime, and ensures proper use of the area to protect the resources from illegal activity.
Develops and delivers career and interpretive programs to schools and other groups.
Coordinates enforcement efforts with other officers and/or agencies, e.g., federal, state, county and municipal police departments and Conservation Police Officers, to deal with environmental violations that place the resources and public at risk.
Participates in training programs and attends public or private functions when assigned as a representative of the State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program.
Participates in joint training sessions with emergency response entities of federal, state, county and municipal agencies.
As a first responder employs techniques used to prevent forest fires, assists in the suppression of forest fires, and reports all fires.
Anticipates and implements emergency procedures, administers potentially lifesaving functions, takes appropriate action to safeguard the public and property, and takes additional action as directed by higher authority.
Conducts search and rescue activities pending arrival of emergency responders.
Conducts safety and security systems inspections assigned to State Parks Forests & Historic Sites property, which may include field investigations or inspections.
Provides testimony in court.
Prepares factual reports and/or correspondence.
Compiles data required for on-going criminal and/or civil investigations that impacts the safety and wellbeing of the public, natural and/or historic resource.
Participates in meetings with State Parks Forests & Historic Sites staff and/or other public agencies.
Works cooperatively with other State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program staff members, and specifically State Park Service staff, assigned to an area to promote efficient area operations and programs.
Provides responsive, courteous customer service to visitors.
Attends mandatory training and maintains current certifications as directed.
Maintains essential records and files.
May assist in administrative fiscal procedures.
Issues permits.
Collects fees.
May be required to assist in completing attendance, and other reports.
Operates, performs, or reports the need for basic maintenance on issued and assigned law enforcement items and equipment.
Posts property boundaries or other regulatory signs and markings within lands under State Parks Forests & Historic Sites.
Investigates complaints or violations occurring within State Parks Forests & Historic Sites lands and/or facilities.
Utilizes techniques, policies, and procedures relating to detecting and reporting of oil spills, hazardous waste, or dumping on and off state land.
Assists when accidents or illness occurs and calls for emergency assistance.
Regulates and controls vehicular and pedestrian traffic to ensure safety and flow of movement.
Secures gates, facilities, doors, buildings, and windows, and raises and lowers flags.
Secures transfer and/or transportation of funds to secure location.
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 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.
AGE:
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the announced closing date.
TRAINING:
Appointees must successfully complete a Basic Police Training Course certified by the Police Training Commission (PTC). An employee who fails, resigns, or is dismissed from the Basic Police Training Course may be removed from their position.
Appointees must successfully complete firearm qualifications in accordance with Police Training Commission guidelines on a semiannual basis.
Appointees will be required to attend and successfully complete an in-house field training course which will include but not be limited to, Standard Operating Procedures of the State Park Service, introduction into Fish & Wildlife Program 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).
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 potentially lifesaving equipment, baton certification and firearm qualifications in accordance with the Attorney Generals mandates and State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program requirements; must be able to use State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program vehicles based on operational need and work assignments.
LICENSE:
Appointees must possess a driver's license valid for use in the State of New Jersey.
Appointees may 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.
Appointees must be able to acquire and maintain a professional license through the Police Training Commission (PTC). The license is required to be renewed every (3) three years. An employee who fails to maintain this license may be removed from their position.
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, equipment, or watercraft they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Appointees have no law enforcement powers or authority until they have successfully completed all required New Jersey State Park Police Field Training, PTC training and are officially sworn in.
Appointees will be required to use potential lifesaving equipment and to perform potential lifesaving functions when necessary.
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.
MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION:
Appointees certified from an 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, terrain, recreational activities, and programs of the assigned area.
Knowledge of law enforcement techniques and investigative procedures relating to apprehension and prosecution of violators.
Knowledge of forest, wildlife, habitat, and watershed management practices.
Ability to interpret and apply State Park Service rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply state, department and State Park Service laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, including but not limited to, search and seizure rights, confiscation of evidence, inherent rights of citizens and the relevant laws relating to the protection of natural and/or historic resources.
Ability to interpret and apply knowledge about natural and physical resources of 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 assist, provide emergency response or otherwise support, to park visitors.
Ability to enforce rules and regulations of the State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program, the State Parks Service and the laws of the State of New Jersey.
Ability to interpret and apply area programs and procedures.
Ability to understand and apply basic firefighting techniques, and to operate forest fire equipment as necessary as a first responder.
Ability to successfully complete all mandatory training and maintain current certifications as directed.
Ability to recognize, prevent, and control hazards to the public or natural resources.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently as a member of a group or a team.
Ability to deal courteously and effectively with people.
Ability to instruct and train new employees, assign work schedules to subordinates, provide clear directions, and organize employees into effective work teams especially during emergencies.
Ability to operate department vehicles based on operational need and work assignments.
Ability to work outdoors for extensive periods of time under varying climatic conditions and all types of terrain.
Ability to lift and carry, for a considerable distance, heavy objects including small boats and equipment.
Ability to operate outboard motorboats and other small crafts including canoes and kayaks on inland and coastal waterways, if required dependent upon work location.
Ability to handle and use firearms, batons, chemical agents, and other law enforcement equipment safely and properly in accordance with established proficiency standards and guidelines.
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 provide testimony under oath.
Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in accordance with Homeland Security mandates and guidelines.
Ability to assume care, custody and control of persons placed under arrest and to use restraining devices as required.
Ability to create a lawful, peaceful, and recreational atmosphere for the visitor.
Ability to perform potentially lifesaving techniques.
Ability to conduct search and rescue activities.
Ability to properly respond under stressful and emergency situations.
Ability to educate and inform the public regarding the rules, regulations and management practices of the State Park Service and the environment.
Ability to prepare clear, concise correspondence and factually accurate reports.
Ability to maintain essential records and files.
Ability to properly maintain all issued equipment.
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 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 would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
