03/25/1996 60000

WATERWAYS CONSERVATION OFFICER

DEFINITION: This is conservation, education, recreation, and safety law enforcement work in fisheries, boating, and the water environment.

An employee in this class is assigned to a district in the state and is responsible for enforcement of state fisheries and boat laws and regulations, public education and information programs, stream improvement, and boating safety. Typical duties include prosecution of violators, presenting evidence and testimony at hearings and court proceedings, assisting in fish stocking, investigating watercraft accidents, placing and retrieving navigational aids, and speaking before groups on agency programs. Duties also include the assignment and review of the work of a staff of volunteer Deputy Waterways Conservation Officers. Initially work is performed under close supervision; however, as necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities are demonstrated, work is performed with greater freedom of action.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Patrols an assigned district by vehicle, boat, and foot in various conditions and terrain to detect violations of fish and boat laws and regulations by conducting on-site inspections to assure conformance with laws regarding licensure; fish size, limit, and species requirements; safety; etc.

Pursues violators on foot and by boat to apprehend for violation of fisheries and boat laws and regulations.

Apprehends individuals suspected of violations by taking into custody, reading and explaining warrant, and advising of legal options.

Prepares and issues warnings of violation and citations to violators, completes field acknowledgment receipts and receives fines from individuals acknowledging violation, and initiates proper legal procedures through minor judiciary for issuance of citations.

Conducts search of vehicles, buildings, and dwellings to obtain evidence for prosecutions.

Investigates and gathers evidence to support prosecution of individuals violating fisheries and boat laws and regulations.

Appears at hearings and court proceedings on behalf of the Commonwealth to present evidence and testimony against defendants.

Questions witnesses at minor judiciary hearings to ensure that complete testimony is presented.

Investigates water pollution incidents involving both hazardous and non-hazardous substances by taking water samples, examining and counting dead fish, interviewing witnesses and suspected violators, and advising agency officials of such occurrences.

Interprets provisions of the fisheries and boat laws and regulations for the public.

Answers telephone inquiries and prepares replies to requests for information concerning fishing and boating, agency programs, and laws and regulations and answers related questions from the general public at fairs, shows, malls, stream locations, etc.

Directs and conducts fish stocking operations at various designated waterways in the district by using float stocking, boats, nets, buckets, etc.

Inspects watercraft on waterways and investigates complaints concerning watercraft operation to determine compliance with boating safety laws and regulations in order that boat conditions, registrations, and safety equipment meet requirements and watercraft are operated safely.

Selects candidates for deputy positions, schedules working hours for assigned deputies, assigns and reviews work of deputies, and ensures satisfactory work performance and compliance with agency policies.

Provides training for deputies in understanding fish and boat laws and legal procedures, and interprets provisions of laws and regulations, legal procedures, and agency policies for deputies.

Reviews applications and permits for encroachments, claims, bridges, pipelines, mine drainage, or channelization for effect on waterways.

Reviews proposed plans for highway construction on or near waterways for effect on waterways.

Conducts public information and education programs in the assigned district on fishing, boating, and agency programs by appearing on radio or television, interviewing for magazines or newspapers, and conducting educational classes for the public.

Prepares time and activity reports, automotive reports, and other related reports and maintains files on correspondence, citations, and permits for future reference.

Maintains all issued equipment such as vehicles, motors, boats, firearms, uniforms, and office equipment.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the common species of game fish in Pennsylvania.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of fishing.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of boating.

Knowledge of arrest procedures.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of conducting an effective public information and education program.

Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing fishing, boating, and hunting.

Knowledge of the techniques used in stocking fish.

Skill in the use of firearms, including handguns.

Ability to explain and interpret the provisions of the fish and boat laws and regulations.

Ability to orally communicate with individuals and groups concerning information about fishing and boating and the respective regulations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, and the public.

Ability to use sound judgment in situations involving decision making, danger and stress.

Ability to investigate and gather evidence concerning violations of law.

Ability to read and write about fishing and boating and the respective regulations at the GED 4 level.

Ability to investigate water pollution incidents.

Ability to solve arithmetical problems involving decimals and fractions at the GED 3 level.

Ability to recruit, direct, assign and review the work of volunteer Deputy Waterways Conservation Officers.

Ability to enforce laws and regulations with firmness and tact.

Ability to maintain files for citations, permits, office correspondence, and other related materials.

Ability to use common hand tools and maintain issued mechanical equipment.

Ability to use slides, films, and related visual aids.

Ability to review plans for and evaluate the impact of proposed highway, bridge and waterways encroachment construction upon aquatic life.

Attitudes and interests oriented toward wildlife, conservation, and law enforcement activities.

Ability to meet the physical strength, stamina and related physical demands involved in the performance of Waterways Conservation Officer duties over rough terrain and under adverse climatic conditions.

Ability to gather evidence, conduct investigations and field tests, and recognize possible law violations through visual observation.

Ability to discern colors of waterway markers and lights, validation stickers, boats, vehicles and clothing.

Ability to swim continuously for a minimum of 10 minutes or 250 yards.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Waterways Conservation Officer Trainee and certification of completion of the Fish and Boat Commission's School of Waterways Conservation and Watercraft Safety.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.