Abolished 1/04/2004

CONSERVATION OFFICER II

2165M1

Pay Grade:  26

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

This is advanced specialized and lead law enforcement work in the enforcement of state laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the conservation of fish and wildlife; may serve as an assistant to a law enforcement supervisor.

Standard Classification Factors

Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction..." Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements.

Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average - Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category.

Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple, unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation.

Consequences of Actions and Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.

Contacts - LEVEL C: The purpose of the contact to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level.

Physical Demands - LEVEL C: The work requires moderate, and occasionally heavy, physical exertion. The employee is normally required to perform activities with moderately heavy weight objects; is required to maintain physical condition for defensive tactics; and walks, drives vehicles, and operates light equipment.

Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible.

Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL  C: Typically involves limited supervisory responsibility which entails performing as a "first line supervisor" for a small number of employees. Responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling, and reviewing work and recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority.

Distinguishing Features

Differs from Conservation Officer I class which has limited lead worker and coordinating responsibilities.

Differs from Wildlife/Parks Law Enforcement Supervisor class which has managerial and administrative responsibilities for a region or statewide special investigations section.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Coordinates, plans, assigns and reviews the work of conservation officers responsible for conservation, public education, and enforcement or administration of fish and wildlife programs, laws, rules, and regulations; coordinates and oversees conservation officers for concentrated special enforcement efforts, covert investigations and training.

Investigates unusual violations, covert or special complaints, animal damage and environmental concerns; apprehends violators and testifies in court.

Investigates reports of fish and game kills, pollution occurrences, and pesticide poisoning; determines probable source of pollutants and effect on wildlife and environment; obtains and transports samples for laboratory analysis.

Maintains record of routine, special enforcement and training activities, including but not limited to arrests and convictions; fish, game, and habitat conditions; complaints and actions; various wildlife and recreation surveys; and identification of disease problems. Compiles reports on hunting, fishing, and boating related activities, special or covert investigations, and training requirements.

Conducts or coordinates a variety of wildlife surveys related to changing wildlife populations, habitats, movements and patterns in order to interpret population trends.

Provides project planning, coordination and labor for maintenance of buildings, fences, signs and information boards on department managed properties.

Provides assistance to the public on wildlife damage control, proper handling of dead, injured, orphaned, or found wildlife, and on general wildlife questions or concerns.

Promotes wildlife conservation through public speaking, writing articles for newspapers, magazines, and bulletins and by general public contact. Speaks before citizen groups on the value of wildlife, parks, and natural resources, and the programs and responsibilities of the agency.

Develops and presents department educational and public informational programs on recreation, natural history, outdoor safety, ethics, and a variety of natural resource subjects.

Instructs hunter, furharvester, and boating safety classes. Teaches wildlife management. Advises landowners on the proper management of waters for wildlife habitat.

Coordinates and administers special or covert law enforcement programs such as commercialization of wildlife, permit fraud, boating, training, special and/or covert investigations and other specialized areas of enforcement.

Performs administrative duties for a Law Enforcement Supervisor including: maintaining statistics on arrests and other activities, scheduling, budget, training, equipment inventory and other duties as required. May fill in for a Law Enforcement Supervisor in their absence.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge

*Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to conservation of land, fish and wildlife resources; and motor vehicle and boating safety.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

*Knowledge of the principles and techniques of fisheries, wildlife management, including the biological concepts of botany, zoology, and ecology.

*Knowledge of forensic investigative techniques relating to fish and game enforcement.

Knowledge of the methods of hunting, fishing and trapping of fish and wildlife.

Knowledge of the life habits and requirements of fish and wildlife.

*Knowledge of the methods, procedures and techniques for field data collection for wildlife, fish, and recreational surveys.

*Knowledge of criminal law, legal proceedings, investigative procedures, and techniques of collecting and preserving evidence.

*Knowledge of the proper use and care of firearms.

*Knowledge of the English language.

*Knowledge of arrest, search and seizure, rules of evidence, constitutional and civil rights, use of force, and courtroom procedures.

Abilities

*Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

*Ability to make presentations and answer questions regarding wildlife, hunting, fishing, parks, and related topics.

*Ability to organize and express information orally and in writing.

*Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with subordinates, fellow workers, and the general public.

*Ability to correctly identify wildlife and/or fish from pictures or in the field.

*Ability to work long hours under difficult and arduous conditions.

*Ability to operate motor vehicles, boats, and limited heavy equipment.

*Ability to qualify with appropriate firearms on a periodic basis.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Independent work experience in wildlife/park operations and a valid driver's license.

A college degree in a natural resource subject is strongly preferred.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position in this class require the employee to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. Certification must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. The employee must complete a basic law enforcement training program recognized by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission and annual training as required by K.S.A. 74-5607a.

This class requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position in this class, candidates cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 922 (d) (9) and (g) (9).

Positions in this class require that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services.

NC:  06/89
REV: 12/95
REV: 11/96
REV: 01/97
REV: 02/98
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00