Game Warden Sergeant

State of Montana•Billings, MT

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Warden Sergeant is a first line-supervisor, law enforcement officer responsible for supervising law enforcement field staff and implementing the law enforcement program in the region, including assisting in the development, monitoring and evaluation of enforcement aspects of FWP programs in the region. Warden Sergeants are knowledgeable in criminal law, criminal procedure, search & seizure, detention & arrest, the judicial process and general personnel matters including the elements of progressive discipline. They facilitate and coordinate criminal investigations within the region accordingly.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology or Management, Park Management, Outdoor Recreation, Criminal Justice or a closely related field and 3 or more years of job-related work experience.
At least 18 years of age on the date of appointment.
A United States citizen and must be or become a Montana resident in conjunction with appointment as a Fish, Wildlife & Parks Warden.
In excellent physical and mental health and must be able to pass a medical examination and a strength and agility test according to standards set forth by the Montana Board of Crime Control and prescribed by the department (minimum visual acuity is 20/100 corrected to 20/20 in both eyes).
Proficient knowledge of major fish and wildlife species and their habitats
Proficient knowledge of the wide variety of outdoor recreation in Montana.
Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of law enforcement and its functions commonly obtained through peace officer certification.
Extensive knowledge in the use of force continuum and officer survival.
Excellent oral & written communication skills are required so as to interact with the media in addition to an extensive understanding of sociology, psychology, conflict management & resolution, and criminal behavior patterns in order to communicate with and understand the general public and those who recreate outdoors and in department owned recreational areas.
Proficient in the use of a variety of firearms and standard law enforcement equipment including all types of motorized vehicles & equipment, complex monitoring devices, simulated wildlife, computers, electronics, traps, immobilizing agents & a working knowledge of equipment used by other department divisions.
High proficiency in the use of Mobile Computer Terminals and their functions, programs and systems as well as proficiency in the use of various computers, programs, and electronic systems.
Thorough knowledge of department organization, policy, operation and budget, fish, wildlife, parks and recreation laws, rules and regulations.
Possess professional & technical knowledge in each of the department's responsibilities; enforcement, fish, wildlife & parks management, conservation education, and field services to ensure constituents and the department's needs are addressed.
Working knowledge of standard administrative procedures and practices, state budgeting rules and procedures.
Knowledge of personnel management concepts and practices and possess the ability to analyze data and make professional judgments in the course of supervising and working with other people.
Skilled in procedures for mitigating wildlife damage/depredation, infectious wildlife diseases, trapping & transplanting, immobilization & relocation of wildlife.

Nice To Haves

Candidates should be based in Sweet Grass, Wheatland, or Park County, or be willing to relocate to the area.

Responsibilities

Supervises field staff: monitors and is immediately responsible for overall regional law enforcement activities of assigned field wardens and their respective districts. Assists in development and implementation of warden district plans ensuring statutory duties are prioritized. Sergeants monitor and evaluate field staff performance to make sure the goals in each warden district they supervise are accomplished. Responsible for writing, tracking, and giving performance evaluations. Ensures division priorities and direction is followed by field staff, as well as ensuring consistency and quality over quantity in handling violations and educating the public. Monitors data generated from the SmartCop Data Management Plan including number of tickets and written warnings issued. Responsible for maintaining standards of work and conduct of subordinates. Makes every effort to minimize public complaints by coaching, mentoring and developing of field staff. Responsible for handling personnel matters and conducts internal investigations regarding warden conduct, including informal, oral or detailed written investigations. Provides guidance, direction and supervision to subordinate officers in investigation duties using knowledge, skills and abilities of law enforcement investigative methodology and law enforcement policy and procedures.
Program Implementation: Assists Captain in coordinating enforcement activities within the region to ensure protection, conservation and propagation of public resources and personnel/budget efficiency. Ensures law enforcement needs of agency programs are met, policy is adhered to, and fiscal responsibility is observed. Is responsible for ensuring TIPMONT response and tracking is completed properly. Ensures investigative resources are used, i.e. regional investigators and criminal investigation section. Serves as a liaison between FWP and other law enforcement agencies.
Operational Oversight: Organizes and supervises simulated wildlife operations, search warrants, various check stations, saturation patrols and other enforcement operations while ensuring proper manpower and equipment is assigned, state law and department policy is followed, and employee safety is prioritized. Coordinates field efforts in water safety, snowmobile safety and OHV safety programs to ensure public safety by providing formal instruction, information and ensuring compliance of laws and regulations. Is responsible for all equipment assigned to field staff that they immediately supervise and ensures all equipment is maintained and tracked utilizing the Frontline system.
Program Coordination: Works collaboratively with the fish, wildlife and parks programs to organize and plan enforcement services accordingly throughout the region. Oversees field warden work in State Parks and Fishing Access Sites to ensure coverage in these areas and works with field wardens and other FWP staff to prevent vandalism, user conflicts and maintain site security. Coordinates saturation patrols through the assignment of personnel and equipment to specific areas, providing a high visibility presence to deter illegal activities. Works in cooperation with field wardens and the Regional Investigator to plan and execute high profile and complex special investigations to achieve successful prosecution as assigned. Coordinates enforcement activities with other state, federal, tribal and local enforcement agencies to maximize enforcement efforts and capabilities.
Training: Oversight of Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) within the region. Participates in the assignment of new officers to FTO's. Act as a key component of the FTO program and its critical function in training and evaluating new officers. Responsible for training newly employed wardens for a thirty-day orientation phase. Assists the Captain and field instructors in implementing and monitoring, in-service and on-the-job, training programs for field staff.
Patrol: Sergeants perform field level enforcement duties and investigations as necessary to supplement field staff and to cover vacant warden districts or areas in need of added enforcement presence. Sergeants issue citations and written warnings as well as write search warrants.
Additional Duties as Assigned: Sergeants also perform a wide array of other duties as assigned by the Captain and/or other duties or responsibilities acquired through taking on additional assignments.