State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Conservation Enforcement Officer (2192PS)

$38.60-$48.60 Hourly / $3,087.55-$3,887.51 BiWeekly /
$80,585.00-$101,464.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in enforcing state laws and regulations pertaining to fish, shellfish, wildlife, parks, forests, boating, snowmobiling and use of department owned or leased land and facilities as well as performing a variety of tasks in the study, management and conservation of natural resources.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a Conservation Enforcement Sergeant or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead or supervise lower level employees assigned to law enforcement activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Patrols an assigned area examining licenses, permits, equipment and takes of hunters, trappers and persons engaged in sport and commercial fishing; 
  • Enforces laws and regulations involving fish, shellfish, wildlife, boating, recreation and forest fire control; 
  • Performs a full range of public enforcement, protection, security and administrative functions as needed; 
  • Investigates complaints and takes law enforcement actions when violations are found; 
  • Prepares cases for trial and gives evidence in court; 
  • Conducts surveys or investigations as assigned; 
  • Prepares detailed reports of activities; 
  • Performs emergency first aid as needed; 
  • Participates in wildlife conservation projects such as improving cover and habitat for fish and wildlife, liberating birds, quadrupeds, fish and crustacea into their proper habitat, planting food patches for wildlife, taking census of wildlife population, making winter observations of wildlife to determine whether feeding is necessary and trapping and controlling predators; 
  • Obtains leases and agreements from landowners; 
  • Assists in investigation, prevention and suppression of forest fires; 
  • Performs various tasks of a non-theoretical nature connected with furtherance of study, control and conservation of marine and anadromous fish, shellfish and crustacea; 
  • Carries on educational and public relations work; 
  • Performs search and rescue work as required; 
  • May be required to operate computer aided dispatch, laptop or other type of computer equipment; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • fishing, shellfishing, hunting and trapping laws, regulations and methods employed in taking of fish and wildlife; 
    • habits of common indigenous wildlife, fish (freshwater, marine and anadromous), crustacea and shellfish; 
    • firearms and other hunting and/or fishing implements; 
    • criminal and motor vehicle laws and law enforcement procedures; 
    • boating laws and regulations; 
    • regulations pertaining to use of parks and forest lands; 
    • common types of recreational and commercial fishing vessels, gear and methods employed in commercial taking of fish, shellfish and crustacea; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • learn to operate a large, power driven boat; 
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience as a certified Police Officer assigned to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection above the level of a Protective Services Trainee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

A maximum of two (2) years of experience will be substituted for the following:

  • Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) certification with two (2) years as a Police Officer outside the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
  • Two (2) years of work experience in the field of wildlife conservation, fish culture, commercial shellfishing, farm management or forestry.
  • 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 of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States by date of appointment.
  • Applicants must have a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification.
  • Applicants must have reached their 21st birthday.
  • Applicants are subject to selection and entry standards of the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) pursuant to Section 7-294a – e of the Connecticut General Statutes for entry into the "Basic Law Enforcement Training Program" at the Connecticut Police Training Academy or its equivalent.
  • Incumbents in this class will be required to complete a course of training to include, as scheduling permits, completion and graduation from the Connecticut Police Training Academy program or its equivalent.
  • 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.
  • Incumbents in this class must establish residence within Connecticut after completion of the Connecticut Police Training Academy Program.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • Incumbents in this class upon appointment will be required to obtain and retain a current boating safety and personal watercraft certification issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
  • 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.
  • Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 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.
  • Applicants may be required to pass a physical examination.
  • Incumbents in this class must be able to pass a swim test including swimming 100 yards within four (4) minutes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES

In accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreement's compensation guidelines.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(28)-Police-Protective Services

BARGAINING UNIT

(09)-PROTECT SERV (NP-5)

EEO

(4)-Protective Service

SALARY INFORMATION

PS 15

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Conservation Enforcement Officer in Salary Group PS 15 approved effective October 7, 2022. (Revised to modify Special Requirements, modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-180

EFFECTIVE DATE

07/21/2023
CLASS: 2192PS; EST: 3/4/1994; REV: 7/24/2023;