Class Series Concept

Positions in this occupational category enforce all fish, wildlife, food fish and shellfish laws, department rules/regulations, all laws of the state and specific federal and tribal laws. Positions resolve dangerous and problem wildlife situations, assist in emergencies such as flood, fires, and rescues, assist all other law enforcement agencies, and responds to criminal activities in progress. Incumbents require full, commissioned police powers are authorized by the RCWs prior to obtaining a duty station.

Definition

The duties of this level require the development of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to recognize, evaluate, correct and/or take action on fish and wildlife enforcement and control issues within the assigned duty area. Supervision of these positions diminish over time and positions are expected to function with independence by the end of the training period.

Typical Work

Patrols fresh and saltwater ways and adjacent lands by vessels, auto, foot, ORV, etc., to enforce state fisheries and wildlife laws and regulations and federal and tribal laws; monitors commercial, recreational and tribal harvest of food fish, game fish, shellfish, game animals and birds; checks commercial and recreational licenses, monitors buyers and processors of food fish and shellfish; checks special license holders and permittee to ensure compliance;

Operates and maintains patrol equipment, i.e., boats with standard or jet propulsion, canoes, drift boats, off the road vehicles, horses, snowmobiles;

Monitors compliance with hydraulic codes, Forest Practices Act, Model Litter Control Act, ORV activities; sanitary shellfish laws, watercraft registration and boating safety regulations, use of departmental lands, wildlife areas, and access areas;

Responds to and resolves wildlife problems dealing with human health and safety.

Responds to violation reports, gathers evidence, makes arrests, organizes and coordinates investigations of suspected violations, conducts surveillance, participates in searches, interviews witnesses and suspects, secures and serves search warrants, prepares case reports, maintains liaison with local and federal law enforcement agencies;

Monitors and provides instruction to hunter and trapper education programs;

Makes presentations to local sport clubs, schools, and civic groups, etc. participates in preparation of local news releases and media programs, interprets fish and wildlife laws to the public;

Attends training to maintain proficiency in defensive tactics, defensive driving, firearms, officer survival, field training program, wildlife control, etc.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

The following legal requirements are necessary for positions in this category. Per RCW 77.15.075, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America who can read and write the English language. All positions require successful completion of the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy or a Washington DJTC recognized basic law enforcement certificate from another state.

Desirable Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a natural resource science or criminal justice;

OR

A two year college degree and two years of paid, full-time, fish or wildlife experience;

OR

Two years of paid, full-time fully commissioned law enforcement experience that includes successful completion of the CJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy or its equivalent.

Class Specification History

New class replaces 41140 Fish and Wildlife Officer 1; effective June 1, 2005.
(04/22/2009) Correction. Class Series Concept heading, last sentence: […] commissioned policy police powers are authorized by the RCWs prior to obtaining a duty station.