Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer II

Job Code: 32000576
Salary Grade: SW05
Revision Date: 04/2022

Class Concept

Work in this class involves the statewide enforcement of game, fish, and boating laws and regulations and federal laws as directed in the MOU with the USFWS. On lands owned or leased by the agency, Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers have extended law enforcement and investigatory responsibilities. During a state of emergency, Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers and equipment are directed toward unified emergency operations. Enforcement work involves patrol, surveillance, and covert operations to uncover hunting, fishing, boating and trapping violations, including subtle violations. Independently plans and organizes and leads regular patrols, apprehends, cites, and testifies against violators. Initiates enforcement activities designed to prevent problems or violations before they occur, planning these activities for most of the upcoming seasons. Checks for required license, proper firearms, applicable bag or creel limits, possession limits, proper methods of take, closed season violations, boat registration compliance, required safety equipment, and overall safe boating operation. Follows up on investigative leads or information developed during an investigation. Prepares case documentation to include evidence documentation, interview statements, and field notes. Work is performed during day and night hours in all types of weather. Includes collection, labeling, securing, and presentation of evidence as well as professional testimony in a court of law. Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers maintain professional relationships with District Attorneys, Defense Attorneys, Judges, Wildlife Service Agents, and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers collaborate with other departments in the agency to enforce laws, ensure public safety, or to assist in activities that support the agency's strategic goals and mission. Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers investigate those requesting a WRC permit prior to its granting. Establishes and maintains substantial relationships with community, license and vessel agents, hunters and anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Establish confidential informants. Coordinates and provides instruction in hunting safety and boating safety in accordance with agency policy and NCGS. Communicates to hunters, anglers and boaters changes in NC General Statue (and referenced federal laws), NC Administrative Code and local laws. Represents the agency at public events, public hearings, legislative events, and media events. Work is generally limited to one or two counties for which the employee is the only Wildlife Enforcement Officer. Because of this, Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers act as back up to officers in other counties and often work collaboratively with officers and supervisors from other work units. Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers at this level mentor officers in the surrounding work units to ensure they use appropriate methods for evidence collection and on other elements of the investigatory process. When serving as a field training officer, uses the best methods and practices to train and evaluate trainees. Directs tasks and learning opportunities.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of law enforcement tactics including patrolling techniques, wildlife / game species, established procedures for evidence collection and submission, laws, regulations and Wildlife Resources Commission policies, boating and water safety
• Considerable knowledge of assigned patrol area, investigative techniques and case preparation requirements, standard law enforcement equipment, its care and safe use.
• Considerable knowledge of court, public hearings and administrative procedures, Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Management, habitat management, species conservation, stream and waterway protection and restoration and considerable knowledge of NC General Statutes in which federal laws are referenced, NC Administrative Code, and local laws. .
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of agency and division goals and objectives
• Ability to express thoughts, ideas, and information both orally and in writing. Ability to communicate through interpersonal interactions and written documentation.
• Ability to operate a variety of conveyance including trucks, automobiles, ATVs, outboard motor boats, kayaks, and canoes.
• Ability to testify and provide evidence in court and other judicial settings, anticipating and preparing for lines of questioning; recounts what was observed during an enforcement action or investigation, presenting thorough and logical testimony. Interrogates or interviews using multiple techniques.
• Ability to give effective educational presentations.

Minimum Education and Experience

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and three years of Wildlife Law Enforcement experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

Certification as a NC Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission