New Job District Conservation Officer In Idaho

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is currently recruiting for a District Conservation Officer for the Buhl District (please note that the residence location within the district will be negotiated with the Magic Valley Regional Supervisor and Regional Conservation Officer.)

The District Conservation Officer (DCO) supervises and directs the activities of Conservation Officers/Senior Conservation Officers within a District. These responsibilities include monitoring and evaluating officer's performance, ensuring proper officer training, preparing officer development plans, providing technical direction and interpretation of various wildlife and non-wildlife laws, providing direction to an officer to improve performance for effectiveness and safety, and insuring officers follow Department procedures and policy. DCOs investigate and resolve citizen complaints against officers, resolve conflicts between employees, recommend disciplinary actions and serve on review boards. It is the DCO's responsibility to ensure that District officers properly carry out enforcement, wildlife management public relations and administrative programs generated by the Enforcement Bureau/Regional Conservation Officer. Within a District, DCOs will supervise scheduling, enforcement methods, license vendor and wildlife permit enforcement, special overt and covert investigations, backcountry patrols and the execution of arrest and search warrants. Incumbents may assume responsibility for the Region in the Regional Conservation Officer's absence. DCOs are responsible for directing the enforcement activities of their officers and for overall District enforcement direction. They use Action Plans to document high priority/visibility enforcement projects, review and critique investigations done by officers, provide technical expertise and overall direction to officers during investigations. DCOs are responsible for creating more effective, innovative, and efficient methods of completing the duties/programs of the District. They approve and provide direction for check stations, simulated wildlife sets, backcountry patrols and covert operations. A DCO is also required to perform the same field duties as a Senior Conservation Officer.

A DCO will provide technical guidance to officers and landowners to alleviate wildlife depredations. They respond to nuisance wildlife calls and provide technical direction to officers and the public on handling nuisance wildlife, including the use of Schedule II wildlife immobilization drugs, and ensure that officers' training is current and proper records of drug use are kept. DCOs compile biological and non-biological rules and recommendations from their officers and develop a District recommendation. They collect, summarize and forward wildlife management data to the appropriate personnel.

DCOs may be responsible for District level administration of the Hunter and Bowhunter Education programs. They attend numerous local citizen and sporting group meetings, give public, and school presentations and contact the various forms of news media. DCOs prepare reports of District activities; they review all the administrative documents, reports and bills submitted by their officers. DCOs approve budget expenditures and project future financial needs. District-wide interagency cooperation is the responsibility of the DCO; they function as the District's liaison with other agencies.

Please note that applicants for this position may be required to complete a physical fitness assessment, psychological examination, and medical exam during the hiring process.

Why IDFG? We are a premier natural resource agency dedicated to preserving, protecting, perpetuating, and managing Idaho's fish and wildlife for this great state. We are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence as we cultivate opportunities for our customers to engage with our natural resources and become resource stewards for future generations. We are highly dedicated to our mission, committed to our team, and we know how to balance work/life commitments while loving the work we do.

What We Offer:

• 
  Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance - employee only coverage for PPO $65/month for medical and vision & $11.00/month for dental
• Participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start (accumulate approximately 3 weeks of vacation the first year, and increasing with state longevity)
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Multiple saving plans-optional 401k and 457 plans
• Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance - state provided basic life insurance coverage and affordable supplemental plans
• Public Sector Student Loan Forgiveness (eligibility requirements may apply)
• Employee Assistance Program - confidential support, information, and resources for all of life's challenges
• State and Department Wellness Programs
• Ongoing training opportunities
• Potential flexible work schedule

• This announcement will be used to fill the current opening for District Conservation Officer in Buhl only. If you have applied for any previously posted announcements for District Conservation Officer and you would like to be considered for this current opening in Buhl, you will need to apply to this announcement. Applications received under any other announcement for District Conservation Officer will not be considered.

Responsibilities:

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  Trains, assigns work, and evaluates performance of conservation officers within a district.
• Prepares and recommends district budget.
• Assigns and supervises collection of biological data for wildlife studies and projects.
• Assigns and supervises patrols to detect and control violators of fish and game laws.
• Supervises and conducts investigations of suspected violators.
• Prepares or oversees preparation of case materials and testifies in court regarding offenses.
• Presents information to hunting, angling, and trapping groups and other organizations.
• Coordinates wildlife conservation program with other department programs.
• With or without reasonable accommodations, these positions involve walking in rugged terrain; lifting and carrying 50 - 100 pounds; and working in extreme weather conditions.

Minimum Qualifications: (These qualifications are required.)
Please Note: Competitive candidates have a bachelor's degree in Fish and/or Wildlife Management AND have at least two years cumulative work experience in a natural resource field position.

• Must have obtained Permanent Status as an Idaho Department of Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer OR an equivalent level of comparable professional experience in the techniques used to investigate violations of fish and game laws; and laws of arrest, search and seizure, and civil rights of citizens; good knowledge of fish and wildlife management practices to include habitat and forage requirements, behavior of various fish and wildlife species, and wildlife population dynamics; experience making, preparing and giving oral presentations on wildlife management issues
• Some knowledge of supervisory practices.
• Sworn Peace Officer with Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) Certification.
• Must be able to meet IDFG and Idaho POST requirements. For more information about the Idaho POST entrance requirements, please see the information in the following link - https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/11/111101.pdf (Download PDF reader).
• Valid driver's license.