Regional Conservation Officer - State of Idaho

Description

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Opportunity

Please Note: Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date. 

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is recruiting for the position of Regional Conservation Officer. This announcement will be used to fill the current opening at our Southeast Regional office in Pocatello.

The Regional Conservation Officer (RCO) is the management level of the Conservation Officer job family. Incumbents develop and manage regional enforcement programs and strategies through subordinate supervisors and may act in the place of the regional supervisor in their absence. Incumbents are responsible for the use and allocation of regional enforcement resources to perform law enforcement, emergency disaster response, wildlife management and depredation functions; develop and implement plans and programs to ensure that public compliance with regulations remain within acceptable resource management levels; develop and implement programs and plans to improve community and public, legislative and media relations; perform training and operations needs assessment; ensure for work place safety; ensure participation of subordinate staff with the prosecution of violators. RCOs act as the commander during critical incidents and are responsible for any use of force issues. This work typically requires the completion of substantial formal wildlife training, considerable experience managing key functional areas, applying state and federal laws, and POST Certification. They are accountable for regional results and participate in regional program planning. RCOs use advanced technical knowledge to recommend or develop and direct new procedures and processes for implementation. Their problem-solving capabilities consist of analyzing complex problems and new situations and independently analyzing, recommending, and directing implementation of solutions based on technical knowledge. RCOs understand the department's mission and vision. Incumbents are responsible for a geographical area (Region) and are the department's representative to state and federal agencies, local law enforcement agencies, media, and sportsmen groups for enforcement management decisions for the region.

What We Offer:  

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance - employee only coverage for PPO $65/month for medical and vision & $11.82/month for dental
• Participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start (accumulate approximately 3 weeks of vacation the first year, and increasing with state longevity)
• Eleven paid holidays in a year
• Eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Multiple optional saving plans - 401k and 457 plans 
• Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance - state provided basic life insurance coverage and affordable supplemental plans 
• Public Sector Student Loan Forgiveness (eligibility requirements may apply)
• Employee Assistance Program - confidential support, information, and resources for all of life's challenges
• State and Department Wellness Programs 
• Ongoing training opportunities 
• Potential flexible work schedule

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates a regional enforcement program to ensure effectiveness of enforcement activities.
• Develops a regional enforcement budget and controls program expenditures.
• Presents information to sportsmen's groups, news media, and other organizations.
• Determines regional enforcement priorities.
• Investigates and reports on incidents or allegations relating to enforcement actions.
• Meets with prosecutors and judiciary to determine best approach to prosecuting cases
• Assigns work and evaluates performance of district conservation officers.
• Coordinates and conducts training for regional personnel in enforcement activities including self-defense, small arms use, interpretation of laws and regulations, and arrest, search, and seizure procedures. 

Minimum Qualifications: (These qualifications are required.) 

Please Note: The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in Fish and/or Wildlife Management AND at least two years of cumulative work experience in a natural resource field position.  

• Permanent status as a District Conservation Officer OR an equivalent level of comparable professional experience that demonstrates good knowledge of fish and wildlife management practices to include habitat requirements, ecology, and population dynamics (Typically gained by successful completion of at least four upper division (300 - 400 level) courses from an accredited college or university and two years of professional experience gaining knowledge of fish and wildlife management practices including habitat and forage requirements, behavior of various fish and wildlife species, and wildlife population dynamics.), Experience supervising and training professional staff in the enforcement of fish and game laws and regulations, conducting criminal investigations and preparing case material. (Typically gained by at least two years of experience as a certified firearms instructor, or defensive tactics instructor, or equivalent.)
• Idaho Law requires that peace officers be certified by Idaho's Peace Officer Standards and Training Council ("POST"). The statutes and regulations of POST require that every peace officer be a citizen of the United States, and that citizenship must be established through one of the following: A birth certificate issued by the city, county or state and filed within one year of birth; Naturalization Certificate; U.S. Passport; Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth; or Certificate of Citizenship
• POST requires a valid driver’s license.
• POST requires the disclosure of all charges, citations, arrests, or convictions of any crime, and if so to provide information describing the circumstances and disposition of each charge and to include all police and court documents.
  o NOTE: Per IDAPA Rule 11.11.01.056.02 An applicant shall be rejected who has been convicted of any felony crime. Any felony convictions whether withheld judgment, suspended or imposed, conviction of a DUI in the last two years and/or conviction of a sex crime, illegal drug crime, or crime of deceit in the last five years are also cause for rejection.
  o A misdemeanor conviction of any federal, state, or local crime may be grounds for rejection of the applicant.
  o The term “Conviction” shall include any conviction in a federal, tribal, state, county, or municipal court; a voluntary forfeiture of bail, bond, or collateral deposited to secure a defendant’s appearance; payment of a fine; plea of guilty, nolo contendere; a finding of guilt regardless of whether the sentence is imposed, suspended, deferred, or withheld, and regardless of whether the plea or conviction is set aside or withdrawn, or the case or charge is dismissed, or the record expunged under Section 19-2604, Idaho code, or any other comparable statute or procedure, where the setting aside of the plea or conviction, or dismissal of the case or charge, or expungement of the record is based upon lenity or the furtherance of rehabilitation rather than upon any defect in the legality of factual basis of the plea, finding of guilt, or conviction.
• POST Requirement one of the following:
  o High school graduate from a school accredited as a high school at the time of graduation by the recognized regional accreditation body;
  o Have passed GED or IBM Assessment Test in subject areas required by POST;
  o Have successfully completed a high school equivalency program and obtained a state-issued certificate;
  o Have successfully completed a minimum of fifteen (15) academic credits at a U.S. regionally-accredited college (please see IDAPA Rule 11.11.01.053.01.d for a list of the POST-accepted regional accreditation agencies.);
  o Completed a course of study, either in a formal school setting or through homeschooling if the program is recognized by a state or by a local school district within a state as having met that state’s high school graduation requirements.
• Be at least 21 years of age by the date of hire.
• Valid driver’s license from your state of residence and that you qualify for an Idaho driver’s license.
• Physical Fitness Standards must be met twice a year by all Conservation Officers. Listed below are the exercises that will be assessed and the required minimum passing score for each exercise:
  o Vertical Jump
  - Minimum Passing Score = 14 Inches
  o Sit-Ups (in one minute)
  - Minimum Passing Score = 15 Repetitions
  o Push-Ups (no time limit)
  - Minimum Passing Score = 21 Repetitions
  o 1.5 Mile Run/Walk
  - Minimum Passing Score = 17:17 Minutes/Seconds
  o 300 Meters Run
  - Minimum Passing Score = 77 Seconds 

Automatic Disqualifiers: 

• Must be a sworn peace officer.
• Must possess an advanced certificate from the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy
• POST requires the disclosure of all charges, citations, arrests, or convictions of any crime, and if so to provide information describing the circumstances and disposition of each charge and to include all police and court documents.
  o NOTE: Per IDAPA Rule 11.11.01.056.02 An applicant shall be rejected who has been convicted of any felony crime. Any felony convictions whether withheld judgment, suspended or imposed, conviction of a DUI in the last two years and/or conviction of a sex crime, illegal drug crime, or crime of deceit in the last five years are also cause for rejection.
  o A misdemeanor conviction of any federal, state, or local crime may be grounds for rejection of the applicant.
  o The term "Conviction" shall include any conviction in a federal, tribal, state, county, or municipal court; a voluntary forfeiture of bail, bond, or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance; payment of a fine; plea of guilty, nolo contendere; a finding of guilt regardless of whether the sentence is imposed, suspended, deferred, or withheld, and regardless of whether the plea or conviction is set aside or withdrawn, or the case or charge is dismissed, or the record expunged under Section 19-2604, Idaho code, or any other comparable statute or procedure, where the setting aside of the plea or conviction, or dismissal of the case or charge, or expungement of the record is based upon lenity or the furtherance of rehabilitation rather than upon any defect in the legality of factual basis of the plea, finding of guilt, or conviction.
• Federal law prohibits individuals convicted of domestic violence from carrying a firearm.
• Any felony convictions
• Marijuana usage, which is considered illegal in the state of Idaho, within the last year.
• Drug usage, excluding marijuana, which is considered illegal in the State of Idaho within the last three years.
  o The term "used" is defined as any intentional or unintentional testing, smoking, injecting, absorbing, sniffing, or inhaling of any drug not prescribed, administered, or provided to the applicant by a licensed physician, their authorized agent, or practitioner allowed to do so by statute.
• Drug conviction within the last three years.
• Served in the military and been given any of the following military discharges: Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD), Dishonorable Discharge (DD), or Administrative Discharge of other than Honorable (OTH).

To learn more about the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, please see the following: 

• (Video) Idaho Fish and Game - We Make It Happen  

Thank you for applying with us!

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25
Boise, Idaho 83707

WEBSITE:
https://idfg.idaho.gov/

If you have questions,
please contact us at:

EMAIL:
idfgjob@idfg.idaho.gov

PHONE:
(208) 334-3773

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.