NATURAL RESOURCE OFFICER IV

2169L1

Pay Grade: 31

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

This is managerial work in the enforcement of state laws, rules, and regulations applicable to natural resources conservation.

Work involves assisting in the developing of long range law enforcement plans and preparing and administering a regional law enforcement budget; coordinating and planning special investigations; promoting wildlife conservation; and coordinating educational activities and regional and specialized law enforcement training. The incumbent will implement division and departmental policies as well as assist other divisions in maintaining public areas.

Standard Classification Factors 

Supervision Received - Level D: "Under general direction…" Employees at this level are usually in charge of a large and important organizational unit. They plan and carry out assignments with little supervision. They report regularly to a superior, usually by means of occasional conferences, to discuss work progress or new problems which require advice from above. This designation will pertain to classes with a high order of independence.

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.

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.

Consequence of Actions or 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 is 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 physical exertion.

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 E: Involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating work as a "manager" of first line supervisors or as a "first line supervisor" of workers who perform distinct and separate blocks of work generally related as to purpose but requiring different processes and methods. Responsible for hiring and disciplinary actions which may or may not require the approval of a higher level of authority.

Distinguishing Features

Differs from the other law enforcement class series which have no corresponding responsibilities for natural resource management.

Differs from the Natural Resource Officer III class where the incumbents performs supervisory work directing and performing law enforcement work.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Administers a regional wildlife and parks law enforcement program by implementing policy and by organizing and directing special educational and investigational efforts.

Administers a statewide special investigations law enforcement program by coordinating and planning special investigations and selective enforcement operations; maintaining adequate cover and fictitious identity materials; maintaining covert operations records; and coordinating operations with local, state and national law enforcement agencies.

Plans, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of supervisors involved in administering the fish, parks, and wildlife program, assuring necessary law enforcement and educational coverage of the region. Establishes priorities and introduces new or revised procedures, laws, regulations, or policies for implementation by Conservation Workers.

Prepares and administers a region's law enforcement operating budget; evaluates the need for vehicles, uniforms, boats, radios, and other law enforcement equipment within the region. Compiles data for the department budget.

Assist in the development of long range law enforcement programs. Coordinates activities with regional representatives of other divisions of the Department. Assures that Natural Resources Officers cooperate and coordinate activities with department personnel and other law enforcement agencies.

Provides personnel to assist other divisions with maintenance of public areas.

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.

Supervises educational activities of Natural Resources Officers in the regions. Assures that Natural Resources Officers work closely with other Department personnel in developing educational programs on recreation, natural history, outdoor safety, ethics, and various natural resources subjects. Coordinates educational activities with the Information and Education division.

Trains newly assigned personnel in department policies and procedures and in law enforcement, education and fish, wildlife and natural resource conservation.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge

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

*Knowledge of management and supervisory practices and principles.

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

*Knowledge of the principles and practices of fish, parks, and wildlife management and conservation, and the ecology of fish and wildlife species.

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

*Knowledge of the educational techniques and materials available for public education.

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

*Knowledge of forensic investigative techniques pertaining to fish and wildlife law enforcement.

Abilities

*Ability to develop, manage, and coordinate a regional parks and wildlife state law enforcement program.

*Ability to supervise subordinate employees.

*Ability to establish effective relationships with state and federal employees and the general public.

*Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

*Ability to organize and supervise classes, clinics, conferences, and meetings.

Ability to develop long range enforcement and related educational programs for the region.

Ability to plan, prepare, and administer a regional or program budget.

Ability to qualify with appropriate firearms on a periodic basis.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, a valid driver’s license, and four years of experience in natural resources.  Additional experience may be substituted for education as determined relevant by the agency.

Necessary Special Requirements:  

Certification as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. This class requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; and therefore, candidates cannot have been convicted of, and must  be free of any diversions from, a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C. 922 (d) (9) and (g) (9).  Candidates must be a U.S. citizen; 21 years of age at the time of appointment; be able to pass a physical exam administered by the hiring agency; and must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services. 

NC:  01/04
REV: 08/05