Conservation Enforcement Captain

Are you an experienced leader in environmental protection and ready to contribute to conservation efforts with the State of Connecticut? 

We are looking for you to join our team and #MakeAnImpact

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment, and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.

DEEP's Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) has responsibility of over 255,000 acres of agency owned lands and waters that includes state forests, state parks, wildlife management areas and boating access areas. The division is responsible for the patrol element of Connecticut’s shellfish program, has a cooperative enforcement agreement with NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, boating accident investigation responsibilities and patrol on Connecticut’s state waterways.

BOR is seeking to hire a Conservation Enforcement Captain for the Eastern District, located in Marlborough, CT. This is a full time, forty (40) hours per week, Monday through Friday position. Please note, some night and weekend work and travel are expected.

In this position you will be responsible for directing operational activities of an assigned district, Supervises assigned Conservation Enforcement Sergeants, Conservation Enforcement Officers, Police Officers assigned to the Department and other personnel within the assigned district.

The mission of the Environmental Conservation Police is to provide natural resource protection and public safety through education, outreach and enforcement in the areas of fish and game, boating, commercial fishing, wildlife management, parks and forests, recreational vehicles, search and rescue, K-9 Unit, homeland security and agency emergency dispatch center.

Here at the State of Connecticut, we believe in the value of work life balance and offer outstanding benefits including generous paid time off and holiday pay, retirement planning tools and health & wellness packages.

More details regarding this position can be found here.

Here's a video showcasing a day in the life with the staff on our team: 

This position is competitive and open to the public.

Should you meet the qualifications within the job classification, we encourage you to apply!

To be considered for this position:

• Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
• Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application (no Cover Letter required).
• Please ensure that your application is complete as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

Applications submitted to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

Incumbents in this class are subject to selection and entry standards for the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) pursuant to Section 7-294a-e of the Connecticut General Statues and the regulations of the Connecticut Police Training Academy. 

Employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination, including drug testing, and a criminal background check, which will be analyzed in accordance with CGS 46a-80.

Should you have any questions about the role, please contact Samantha Wasef, Leadership Associate – Talent Solutions: Samantha.Wasef@CT.Gov or 860.937.6357  

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, this class is accountable for directing operational activities of an assigned district or may be assigned as the division administrative officer.

Plans and directs the overall operation of the assigned district or acts as division administrative officer; directs all personnel assigned including orientation, training, counseling, evaluation, and discipline in accordance with department standards; instructs assigned personnel in operations and activities; supervises continuous training and development of personnel assigned; reviews action of subordinate supervisors in regard to employee grievances and general administration of the district; maintains liaison with other law enforcement and state agencies and the general public; represents the department at meetings.

DISTRICT CAPTAIN: Analyzes, evaluates, identifies and makes recommendations for improvement and/or corrective action concerning enforcement of laws and regulations involving fish, wildlife, boating, parks, forests, recreation, forest fire control and noise pollution from vessels; supervises investigations as required; coordinates enforcement of boating programs with municipal authorities within the assigned district; coordinates wildlife liberations and postings of hunting and fishing areas; directs recordkeeping and administrative activities of district; performs related duties as required.

This position also performs administrative functions related to the statewide law enforcement program; acts as the department public relations officer; compose directives and procedures pertaining to law enforcement; coordinates statewide park and forest recreational law enforcement and related activities; keeps abreast of new laws and ensures their dissemination to law enforcement personnel; provides technical assistance regarding the implementation and interpretation of proposed laws and regulations; conducts investigations of complaints as required; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of departmental directives, policies, and procedures; considerable knowledge of the principles of modern police administration and the legal procedures involved in the apprehension and prosecution of law violators; considerable knowledge of state and federal statutes and regulations relevant to hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, snowmobiling, and recreation; knowledge of the principles of fish and wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; supervisory ability.

Eight (8) years of experience in the field of wildlife conservation, fish culture, commercial shellfishing, commercial fishing, recreation management, farm management, forestry, or law enforcement.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at or above the level of Conservation Enforcement Sergeant or its equivalent.

College training in natural resource management, recreation management, biological sciences, or law enforcement may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

• Experience as a certified law enforcement officer in good standing with applicable state or federal appointing authority; 
• Over eight years of experience in law enforcement within a natural resource or conservation law enforcement agency;
• Over two years of supervisory or command experience managing an organization or substantiative unit, at least two of which must be at the rank of Sergeant or its equivalent or higher;   
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, conservation law enforcement, natural resource management or a related discipline from an accredited college or university;  
• Experience with Connecticut criminal and motor vehicle law; 
• Experience with fish and wildlife rules, regulations policies, and procedures;  
• Experience working with federal and quasi-governmental organizations related to the field of Conservation Law Enforcement such as U.S Fish and Wildlife, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, NASBLA, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference/Food and Drug Administration and US Coast Guard.
• Experience in a leadership role managing a group of professionals;
• Experience working in a high-volume and fast paced work setting;  
• Experience conducting staff training and development programming;    
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff and external partners;
• Experience with  search and seizure laws, laws of arrest, and investigatory procedures;
• Experience with case management, evidence management, and the preparation of casefile for court presentation.

1. Incumbents in this class are subject to selection and entry standards for the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) pursuant to Section 7-294a-e of the Connecticut General Statues and the regulations of the Connecticut Police Training Academy.
   
2. Incumbents in this class are required to maintain certification as a Police Officer in the State of Connecticut and comply with all certification requirements as established by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). Loss of certification will result in removal from this class.
   
3. Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignment or transfer to any region of the state consistent with departmental policies or stipulations. Incumbents in this class must be willing to live aboard a patrol boat for as long as three (3) days without relief and to accept appointment as a Special Police Officer.
   
4. Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept appointments as a United States Deputy Game Warden or special agent for the National Marine Fisheries Services in specific areas under administrative control of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
   
5. Incumbents in this class are required to obtain and retain a standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate and participate in any job related school training session.
   
6. Incumbents in this class upon appointment will be required to obtain and retain a current boating safety and personal water craft certification issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
   
7. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury and to the discomfort of working outdoors while performing the duties of the class.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.