Conservation Enforcement Sergeant

Are you a passionate conservation enforcement officer who is dedicated to the mission of the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection? We have multiple promotional openings for Conservation Enforcement Sergeant roles and we invite you to explore this promotional opportunity! 

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.

The mission of DEEP's Conservation Law Enforcement Division is to provide natural resource protection and public safety through education, outreach and enforcement.

DEEP has two vacancies in the Conservation Law Enforcement Division as Conservation Enforcement Sergeants. A Conservation Enforcement Sergeant is accountable for acting as a working supervisor over conservation, recreation and lake authority law enforcement personnel, enforcing the laws and regulations pertaining to fish, wildlife, parks, forests, boating and the use of department owned or leased land and facilities.

These positions are full-time, 40 hours per week and may require weekend and holiday work.

In order to be considered for these opportunities, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, who has permanent state status*, and meets the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

• For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period. For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

NOTE: This promotional process/examination may be utilized for any Conservation Enforcement Sergeant vacancies for up to one year. In this role, you may be assigned to work at any of the following locations: Eastern, Western, Marine District or Headquarters.

More details can be found in the class specification.

Questions about these opportunities should be directed to Colonel Lewis, Chris.Lewis@CT.Gov.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor over conservation, recreation and lake authority law enforcement personnel, enforcing the laws and regulations pertaining to fish, wildlife, parks, forests, boating and the use of department owned or leased land and facilities or for serving as the Training Program Sergeant, overseeing and coordinating law enforcement training and certification activities.

Supervises assigned staff including orientation, training, counseling, evaluation and discipline in accordance with departmental standards; assigns duties and reviews results for accuracy, effectiveness and conformance with policy; studies, analyzes and evaluates tasks performed by unit; keeps records and submits pertinent reports; performs a variety of tasks in study, management and conservation of natural resources and boating safety; assists in surveying needs and identifying problems concerned with enforcement of laws and regulations involving fish, wildlife, boating, parks, forests, recreation, forest fire control and noise pollution from vessels; coordinates law enforcement activity on departmental lands; recommends solutions and corrective action when necessary; guides subordinates in preparing cases for trial and advises on proper statutes or regulations on which arrest can be made; assists in coordinating enforcement of boating laws and regulations between state and municipal authorities and lake authorities within an assigned area; obtains leases and agreements from landowners; performs special surveys or investigations; examines licenses, equipment and takes of hunters, trappers, sport and commercial fishermen; makes arrest and issues warnings and infractions where violations are found; prepares case reports and attends court proceedings; responds to complaints of police errors, improper actions or negligence; carries on educational work among sportsmen, sportsmen’s clubs, boating organizations, lake authorities and youth groups; assists in prevention and suppression of forest fires; performs emergency first aid and CPR when necessary; assists in training of area and lake authority law enforcement and other personnel as assigned; provides law enforcement support to Homeland Security as needed; may supervise and coordinate investigative and K-9 units, T.I.P program and/or all training activities; may act as liaison between Law Enforcement Division and United States Fish and Wildlife Service; may testify as a witness; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of legal procedures involved in apprehension and prosecution of law violators; considerable knowledge of fishing, shellfishing, hunting, trapping, boating, snowmobiling, parks, forests and recreational laws and regulations; knowledge of law enforcement practices and procedures; basic knowledge of principles of fish and wildlife management; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software; supervisory ability.

Six (6) years of experience in the field of wildlife conservation, fish culture, commercial shellfishing, commercial fishing, recreation management, farming, forestry or law enforcement.

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

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

• Experience with legal procedures involved in apprehension and prosecution of law violators;
• Experience in hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, snowmobiling, parks, forests and recreational laws and regulations;
• Experience developing & implementing law enforcement practices and procedures;
• Experience providing effective communication or disseminating information to staff/public;
• Experience supervising or leading staff.

1. Incumbents in this class are subject to selection and entry standards of the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) pursuant to Section 7-294a – e of the Connecticut General Statutes 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 in 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 work a flexible schedule and accept appointment as a National Marine Fisheries Deputy Law Enforcement Agent and United States Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Agent in specific areas under administrative control of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Qualification as an instructor in a job related area may be required.
   
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 will be made before persons are certified for appointment.

1. Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required to perform all the duties of the class.
   
2. Applicants are required to pass a physical examination.
   
3. Incumbents in this class must be able to pass a swim test including swimming 100 yards within four (4) minutes

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to considerable danger of injury and discomfort of working outdoors.

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.