Conservation Officer

Any individual who receives an offer of employment or will receive a payroll check are required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a condition of obtaining employment.
Mille Lacs Band Member/American Indian preference applies

SUMMARY:
To investigate crimes and attempted crimes against persons and property, gather and evaluate supporting evidence for prosecution, distinguish between an actual crime and circumstances which appear to be a crime, apply the best methods of interviewing and questioning suspects to gain needed information, preserve crime scenes, maintain current knowledge of all Natural Resource, Environment & Treaty Rights regulations, forensics, investigative equipment, firearms, gather and preserve physical evidence.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Degree from an accredited two (2) year program in wildlife/fisheries, ecology/biology or in wildlife/fisheries conservation or management and game or a directly related field desired.
• Prior experience in natural resource management and game and fish management required.
• Possess and maintains a valid Minnesota Driver’s License
• Minnesota POST Board Licensed Peace Officer is required.
• Minimum of three years Law Enforcement experience is required.
• Experience of working with Native American communities, preferably the Mille Lacs Band.
• Knowledge of firearms, investigative equipment and other equipment typically used in law enforcement.
• Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of preparation and execution of search warrants.
• Exhibit a high level of personal integrity and ethical conduct.
• Conservation Officers in Minnesota must not have any misdemeanor theft, gross misdemeanor, and felony convictions in Minnesota or other states and must have or be eligible to obtain a valid Minnesota Peace Officer’s License
• Must be willing to learn on armed self defense, the use of firearms, and be able to carry a weapon as it is required by the job
• Evidence of formal classroom training in Ojibwe culture, Language and society may represent a partial substitution for the four year degree required for such position
• Must have drivers license
• Must be insurable under the Mille Lacs Band Drivers Insurance policy
• Must pass a background check
• Must pass a Pre-employment drug & alcohol test
• Mille Lacs Band member/American Indian preference
• Must successfully pass a physical examination

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
General Direction: receive very general guidance with respect to overall objectives; work is usually quite independent of others; operate within division or department policy guidelines using independent judgment in achieving assigned objectives.
• Checks hunting and fishing licenses.
• Inspects water violations and pollution complaints.
• Coordinates and teaches youth firearm, snowmobile, and all terrain vehicle (ATV) safety programs.
• Checks registrations and safety equipment on watercraft, ATV’s, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles.
• Works with sports’ clubs and civic organizations.
• Works with other state and local law enforcement authorities.
• Patrols assigned area by foot, car and boat to detect violators.
• Apprehends violators; issues warnings and or citations, and serve warrants.
• Investigates boating accidents.
• Assists in the stocking of fish.
• Conducts classes or provides information as requested.
• Finding and interviewing witnesses.
• Taking statements from suspects, victims and witnesses.
• Coordinating the information search at the scene of a crime and following the laws of arrest and search and seizure.
• Recognizing, collecting, preserving and processing physical evidence.
• Determining the nature of the crime and evaluating possible charges against suspects.
• Knowing legal requirements, restraints and investigative procedures.
• Identifying and apprehending of criminals.
• Preparing cases for prosecution.
• Understanding basics of crime prevention, recognizing crime risks and contributing factors in crimes and supplying information to the crime prevention unit.
• Working cooperatively with officers in the department and other law enforcement agencies.
• Identifying criminal techniques and behavior from intelligence information to recognize criminals operating in the community;
• Effectively using resources to manage an active caseload;
• Submitting reports in a timely manner, which contain relevant information, correct terminology, proper format;
• Maintaining appropriate records and files;
• Functioning independently of immediate supervision;
• Developing informational sources;
• Patrolling reservation community to control traffic prevents crime or disturbances of the peace and to arrest violators;
• Maintain familiarity with area, residents and community needs;
• Issuing tickets to violators, locates interview and records eyewitness accounts of violations;
• Filing facts and reports for possible use in civil or criminal court;
• Investigating criminal cases, which involve violations of Federal, state, local or Tribal laws;
• Analyzing charge, complaint of alleged violation to identify issues and jurisdictional areas and evidence needed;
• Developing and using informants in accordance with this manual to obtain information and evidence;
• Conducting surveillance of person and areas warranted;
• Using cameras, telephones, and other equipment to record facts and evidence; and
• Preparing and presenting findings and progress of investigations in properly documented reports;
• Extensive information gathering and analysis is required, External guidelines exist in the form of professional standards, principles and practices, the decision making process is substantial and the judgment is considerable.
• Significant creativity and analysis required, guidance exists in the form of governed principle, cultural norms and historical precedence, information needed to make decisions is missing or incomplete, extensive judgment required.
• Pre-trial and trial responsibilities include:
• Assisting prosecuting attorney in case preparation for trial.
• Preparing or obtaining search warrants and executes it.
• Notifying state and county authorities of major crimes or disturbances within the area and takes appropriate action if requested to do so.
• Establishing and maintaining good working relationship with other law enforcement agencies, and assisting those agencies if requested to do so.
• Testifying before courts and juries.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Hours are typically 10 hours per shift, but extra hours are necessary during major harvesting seasons (netting & hunting). Shifts include early morning, evening and/or weekend working.
• High to Moderate and frequent stress.
• Work is mainly out doors.
• Threat, risk or personal danger exposure as high.
• Local travel is required as well as some travel outside the state may be required