Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer III

Job Code: 32000577
Salary Grade: SW06
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, serial and major violations with greater impact. Independently plans and organizes and leads patrols, apprehends, cites, and testifies against violators. Plans for regular patrols and associated activities incorporate greater detail, more resources and contingency plans for changing events such as weather, accidents and emergency situations. 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. May serve as lead investigator on complex and long term investigations. 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 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 basic relationships with community, license and vessel agents, hunters and anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Coordinates and provides instruction in hunting safety and boating safety in accordance with agency policy and NCGS. Establishes a diverse group of confidential informants. Proactively plays a lead role in addressing the wildlife concerns of the community with a variety of outreach programs and law enforcement activities and communicates the outcome. Builds public support for agency objectives through community contacts, outreach programs and other public contact activities. 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 Law Enforcement Officer. Because of this, 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. Mentors other Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers to proactively respond to community concerns. Mentors other officers on cultivating strong relationships with various aspects of the community such as landowners and sportsmen. May suggest changes to work scheduling to supervisor or upper management. May provide backup to supervisor. When serving as a field training officer, takes advice on the best methods and practices to train and evaluate trainees. Directs tasks and learning opportunities.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough 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.
• Thorough knowledge of assigned patrol area, investigative techniques and case preparation requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of boating and safety, thorough knowledge of standard law enforcement equipment, its care and safe use and thorough knowledge of and skill in the use of firearms and hunting and fishing equipment.
• Ability to operate a variety of conveyance including trucks, automobiles, ATVs, outboard motor boats, kayaks, and canoes.
• Thorough knowledge of court, public hearings and administrative procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Management, habitat management, species conservation, stream and waterway protection and restoration and thorough knowledge of NC General Statutes in which federal laws are referenced, NC Administrative Code, and local laws.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of agency and division goals and objectives.
• Ability to express complex concepts, thoughts, ideas, and information both orally and in writing, ability to give effective educational presentations. and ability to communicate through interpersonal interactions and written documentation.
• Ability to communicate in difficult or high stress situations and ability to resolve or mediate conflict.
• 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 advanced techniques and technologies.

Minimum Education and Experience

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and six 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