06/15/2004 60170

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICER LAW ENFORCEMENT COORDINATOR

DEFINITION: This is administrative work in the Pennsylvania Game Commission's wildlife conservation law enforcement or training program.

An employee in this job is responsible for directing and coordinating one of the major phases of the statewide law enforcement program in Central Office, including, but not limited, to the Special Investigator Law Enforcement Program, Special Permit System, Hunting and Fur Trapping License Revocation System, Technical Services or Support Services; or statewide training programs at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation. Work in the law enforcement area involves preparing, reviewing and revising all legislation affecting the Pennsylvania Game Commission; disseminating, interpreting and applying legal procedures to subordinate personnel; and planning, interpreting, applying and revising agency rules, regulations, concepts and operations as they apply to fair and impartial enforcement of the Game and Wildlife Code. Work in the training area involves coordinating statewide training programs at the Commission’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation. Work includes the development, coordination and delivery of courses for specific phases of statewide Game Commission law enforcement training programs for Wildlife Conservation Officer Trainees, Wildlife Conservation Officers and agency Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers. Supervision may be exercised over technical and clerical staff. Work is assigned in the form of projects by the Director of the Bureau of Law Enforcement or the Training Director, Game. Work is performed with considerable independence but is reviewed for adherence to Game Commission policy, program effectiveness and effectiveness of staff utilization.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs the statewide Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer Program and maintains appropriate records.

Coordinates the statewide computerized time payment system for the collection of Game and Wildlife Code penalties administered by the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Court.

Coordinates statewide hunting incident reports and investigations and arranges for all required hearings and necessary filing of legal documents.

Coordinates the statewide special permit system involving the licensing of individuals and companies concerning various permits as established by the Game and Wildlife Code such as taxidermy, menagerie, fur buyers and dealers, regulated shooting grounds, propagation, etc.

Coordinates the required taxidermy examinations, the testing of all wildlife rehabilitators and the examination of all prospective falconers.

Drafts legislation to amend the Game and Wildlife Code and the rules and regulations of the Game Commission Title 58 of the PA Code.

Plans and prepares the ten month training schedule for Wildlife Conservation Officer Trainees at the Training School.

Develops tests and other evaluation instruments; computes scores, analyzes and interprets test results and maintains accurate grade records for trainees.

Plans and coordinates field trips in their entirety for trainees.

Coordinates arrangements for visiting instructors, including lodging and meals, audio-visual equipment, handouts and other instructional aids.

Assists in the preparation of the annual budget for the Bureau of Law Enforcement.

Represents the agency in law enforcement matters with the Department of Justice in all levels of legal proceedings.

Prepares directives for agency personnel related to Game Commission law enforcement policy.

Provides interpretations of the Game and Wildlife Code and regulations to agency personnel and others.

Provides written and verbal responses to inquiries from the public and within the agency concerning law enforcement matters.

Reviews and processes all prosecution reports submitted by Wildlife Conservation Officers for appropriate charges and assessed penalties.

Coordinates the hunting and trapping license revocations for presentation to the Commission for action.

Coordinates, maintains and distributes an up-to-date listing of court decisions that impact on legal procedures and actions taken by Wildlife Conservation Officers.

Coordinates the sale of equipment that has been forfeited to the Game Commission.

Serves as the Bureau of Law Enforcement's representative to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Reviews, processes and provides conditions for all Special Use Permits.

Coordinates the statewide procurement and distribution of uniforms and related equipment to authorized personnel.

Coordinates the statewide deterrent fencing program related to deer and elk damage.

Serves as an Administrative Hearing Officer as appointed by the Executive Director.

Coordinates the statewide poacher hotline (TIP) program.

Maintains statewide inventory records of equipment issued to Wildlife Conservation Officers.

Serves as the armorer for agency issued firearms.

Reviews reports and provides advice and counsel to regional Wildlife Conservation Officers in especially complex or unusual situations or litigation stemming from arrests, appeals, special investigations, fraud and hunting accidents.

Supervises the Special Investigations Section and/or clerical personnel.

Prepares documents for Game Commission agenda.

Prepares correspondence for Executive Director's signature.

Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of Pennsylvania's Game and Wildlife Code and modern law enforcement procedures.

Knowledge of the relationship of wildlife conservation to the total natural resource conservation concept and to Pennsylvania Game Commission objectives.

Knowledge of the hunting license issuance and enforcement program.

Knowledge of sporting arms and handguns and their use.

Knowledge of modern administrative practices and procedures, including accounting and fiscal procedures.

Knowledge of modern training methods, techniques and procedures.

Knowledge of Game Commission, related Federal, state and local regulations.

Ability to care for and use firearms, common investigation aids and predator control equipment.

Ability to develop, coordinate and implement a major phase of the statewide law enforcement program in the Central Office.

Ability to interpret and disseminate technical information and changes in laws, rules, regulations and agency policies.

Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and propose changes to supervisors.

Ability to coordinate and supervise the work activities of agency law enforcement personnel and training program instructors.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to prepare a variety of reports.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written assignments in accordance with accepted and current agency policy.

Ability to coordinate and direct the work of Wildlife Conservation Officer Trainees, Wildlife Conservation Officers and Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency and allied Federal, state and local officials.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of experience as a Wildlife Conservation Officer Supervisor;

                                                                                                                                                or

Four years of experience as a Wildlife Conservation Officer;

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Four years of experience as a Game Land Management Group Supervisor.