CONSERVATION OFFICER I (Job ID 52044)

Responsibilities

• Identifies violations/criminal offenses and enforces applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning wildlife, natural resources, off highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs), snowmobiles, motor vehicles, boats, other outdoor recreational activities and public safety offenses. Pursues and apprehends violators to ensure public safety and protection of wildlife habitats.
• Patrols the roads, waters, and woodlands in an assigned geographic area to include foot patrols in remote areas and patrols via the operation of off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs), snowmobiles, watercraft, and other necessary equipment. Such operation can involve emergency situations involving high speeds while in pursuit and/or hazardous conditions.
• Investigates and apprehends violators, questions witnesses, procures evidence to include blood draws and arrests suspects, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdues resisting suspects using maneuvers, approved weapons, and hands and feet in self-defense. Determines when force is required, to include the use of deadly force.
• Writes investigative and other reports including accident diagrams, citations, affidavits, complaints and warrants; recommends legal action when appropriate, prosecutes criminal cases in court and testifies as a witness when necessary.
• Operates patrol boats in the Atlantic Ocean, in all weather conditions, and boards commercial and recreational vessels to inspect for compliance with federal and state fishing regulations.
• Responds to and investigates off-highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) and snowmobile accidents, hunting-related incidents, including shootings; and provides emergency medical treatment to injured people when necessary, often in remote areas to include the backcountry and mountainous locations.
• Handles, drags, lifts and transports live, dead and diseased wildlife, euthanizing and disposing of as appropriate, and investigates cases where there may be a danger to public health. Demonstrates the proficient use of various handguns, shotguns, rifles and other firearms in a variety of body positions under stressful situations to include aiming, discharging loading and unloading of firearms.
• Engages in search and rescue missions to include carrying out injured or deceased individuals and providing emergency medical treatment, often in remote and/or mountainous locations. These rescues are carried out in all seasons and specialized equipment is often required. Maintains required emergency first responder training for such rescue/emergency situations.
• Supervises and trains Probationary Conservation Officers, Deputy Conservation Officers and volunteers on search and rescue; GPS and map skills; evidence collection; search warrants; details; life saving techniques; surveillance skills; and on other topics necessary to be a successful Conservation Officer.
• Speaks and provides education and training on safety and conservation related rules, laws, procedures and practices to sporting organizations, educational institutions, OHRV/Snowmobile Safety & Hunter Safety Education Courses and interested public and private organizations while gaining important input from constituents to advocate for department's mission, goals and objectives, to achieve voluntary compliance, and to enhance agency effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited institute of higher education.
• Experience: No experience required.
• OR
• Education: High school diploma or high school equivalency credential.
• Experience: Two years of full-time employment as a certified police officer in a recognized jurisdiction or two years of experience in the military on full-time active duty with an honorable discharge.
• Licenses/Certifications: Upon appointment, candidates must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license in compliance with the state statutes governing driver's licenses and registrations.