Job Specification
CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT
DEFINITION:
Under close supervision of a Conservation Police Officer 2 or other supervisory
sworn law enforcement officer in the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department
of Environmental Protection, as a Recruit, 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 relating to the 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-cCode of Criminal Justice and the
Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 7:25 et. seq., and exercises all the powers and
duties conferred by law while conducting regular duties; 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:
Assists in conducting field investigations, inspections and surveying and patrolling
a designated area of the State by various means which may include motor vehicle,
boat, foot or assigned means of transportation.
Helps conduct environmental inspections and investigations and collects
field information to determine compliance with the appropriate environmental
laws and regulations.
Learns to execute all processes issued for the violation of these laws and
regulations.
Learns to serve subpoenas issued for the examination, investigation or trial
of all offenses against these laws and regulations.
Learns to provide methodology for gathering information to formulate flora or
fauna input to division biologists to develop fish and wildlife management and
research programs after a period of training.
Learns to develop the knowledge to provide the basic objectives for patrols of
State Wildlife Management Areas to ensure proper use of the area and to protect
its resources from various types of illegal activity.
As directed, may participate in conducting educational programs using
appropriate visual aids and materials for various audiences interested
in fish and wildlife resources.
Learns to educate and inform the public regarding rules, laws, procedures and
management practices regarding the recreational and commercial uses of fish,
game and wildlife to ensure the protection of the environment.
Assists in recommending the appropriate areas for the stocking of fish and game
within a patrol area, after a period of training.
Learns to develop an understanding of the appropriate methodology to determine
the roles of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the enforcement
of fish and wildlife regulations and how they interact with enforcement.
Learns to develop an understanding regarding patrolling methods used on
waterways on both state and private lands to ensure compliance with
N.J.S.A. Titles 23, 50, and 58.
Learns how to provide security services for the waters, land, flora and fauna
under the guidelines for Homeland Security.
Learns to develop the knowledge based upon the review of delinquent accounts
or suspect license agents; submits a complete report of findings to supervisor;
closes license agent accounts as directed.
Learns to develop an understanding regarding follow-up reviews of stream
improvement and land use projects with private landowners for the benefit
of the hunting and fishing public.
Exercises proper care, utilization and maintenance of all assigned equipment.
Learns to become familiar with state and local public health officials, as required
in investigating cases of diseases in wildlife, particularly where there may be a
danger to the public health.
Learns and prepares investigating reports of hunter-related accidents, and
completion of a thorough and comprehensive report on all such incidents;
recommends legal action where findings indicate negligence after a period
of training.
Learns how to assist the Forest Fire Service in the detection and suppression
of forest fires and the investigation into cases of suspected arson.
Learns how to prepare lesson plans and conducts instructional sessions
concerning N.J.S.A. Title 23 and other related rules and regulations, at
county academies and outside agencies after review by the training officer.
Learns about emergency situations and taking initiative for crash injury
management, triaging victims, as trained, until properly relieved by
authorized personnel.
Learns how to maintain field notes and prepare for record retention.
Assists in making on-scene preliminary determinations concerning the type
of pollution and the testing parameters required, collection samples for the
determination of dissolved oxygen and pollutant type, preserving these samples
in accordance with standard procedures for quality assurance, and conducting
on-scene pH and water temperature tests.
Learns to develop an understanding in preparing the required reports and all
actions necessary for a successful prosecution; follows-up on all enforcement
actions to ensure proper compliance.
Learns about air and sea patrols as well as dockside investigations of commercial
fishing vessels to ensure compliance of laws and regulations for both state and
federal agencies.
Learns about the protection and/or removal of stranded marine mammals and
endangered species.
Upon being deputized will be responsible for serving as a Deputy Game Warden
of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Deputy Special Agent for the National
Marine Fisheries Service, as required.
Learns how to maintain essential records and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual records 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:
United States citizenship.
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 Commissioner (PTC). Such training
includes successful attainment of a level of proficiency in the use of firearms.
NOTE: Appointees must successfully qualify in the use of firearms on a
semi-annual basis, or more frequently, if required by the appointing authority.
NOTE: Appointees will be required to attend and successfully complete an
eight (8) week Division training course covering fish and wildlife rules and
regulations upon appointment to the position.
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 the approved residency
area defined for the assigned administrative area of the state within ninety (90)
days of completion of the Working Test Period.
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.
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 after a period of
training.
Knowledge of investigative methods after a period of training.
Knowledge of law enforcement methods after a period of training.
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
after a period of training.
Knowledge of the methods used to detect and apprehend law violators after
a period of training.
Knowledge of citizen's rights concerning arrest, prosecution, search and seizure,
and confiscation of evidence after a period of training.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in covert investigations after
a period of training.
Ability to collect samples from water and soil after a period of training.
Ability to conduct investigations after a period of training.
Ability to instruct volunteers and the public about hunter safety according to
established Fish and Game laws and regulations after a period of training.
Ability to work outdoors for extensive periods of time under varying climatic
conditions and all types of terrain after a period of training.
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 after a period of training.
Ability to handle and use firearms safely and correctly after a period of training.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those
involved in the program.
Ability to acquire an understanding and knowledge of the laws and/or
regulations associated with Title 23, Title 39, Title 50 and Title 58.
Ability to act quickly and decisively during emergency situations after a period
of training.
Ability to maintain all issued equipment.
Ability to prepare correspondence and reports.
Ability to maintain 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 communications.
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.
ADVANCEMENT
Appointees who successfully complete the required twelve (12) month training
period will be eligible for advancement to the title of Conservation Police Officer 1
in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures.
The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting
advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 32648 | | S | C | NE | 99 | N/A | FA99 | - |
This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
1/01/2022 |
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