Conservation Police Lieutenant

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a Conservation Police Lieutenant for The Office of Law Enforcement.  This position will strategize with both Zone Commander and Zone Sergeants in the planning of community events and enforcement operations, ensure all field supervision and directives are being followed and constantly evaluate the K9 program and procedures, approve and coordinate with other law enforcement agency requests for assistance using this agency’s K9 section, and will attend District and Zone meetings providing direction to the District Sergeants, Conservation Police Officer I and II’s, and Conservation Police Officer Trainees.  The Office of Law Enforcement supports the Department's programs designed to protect Illinois' natural and recreational resources through enforcement of those portions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes enacted for that purpose. Conservation Police Officers are vested with full state-wide police authority and are trained to the highest standards for law enforcement professionals in Illinois.  We welcome interested applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Essential Functions

• Provides direction to the Zone’s Sergeants in planning, coordinating, and implementing activities with the Zone to assisting in meeting Zone, District, and Departmental goals and objectives (e.g. enforcement initiatives and community outreach/ involvement).
• Directs and makes recommendations to the Zone Commander for the implementation of new methods, techniques and management guidelines that may assist in providing efficient and effective law enforcement strategies and community involvement initiatives.
• Provides supervision to Sworn K9 Officers.
• Serves as working supervisor.
• Serves as the Zone’s evidence auditor to ensure all District Evidence Facilities within the Zone comply with policies and laws.
• Plans, coordinates and implements needed and/or required training for both sworn and civilian staff in the Zone (C.P.R, First Aid, decentralized training).
• Functions as a sworn law enforcement peace officer and as an authorized U.S. Fish and Wildlife Deputy Game Warden.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of a bachelor’s degree, preferably with major coursework in either law enforcement, social justice, and social sciences, or in a related conservation field such as forestry or natural resource management, biological and physical science. Equivalent training or related experience as a law enforcement officer or related technical conservation resource/public lands management experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Requires one-year supervisory law enforcement experience as a certified Conservation Police Sergeant or equivalent law enforcement experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of law enforcement experience as a Conservation Police Sergeant.
• Four (4) years of working knowledge of proper investigation and arrest procedures, confiscation and handling of evident and prosecution procedures.
• Four (4) years of experience operating and maintaining equipment necessary to perform the assigned duties of a Conservation Police Office, i.e. motor vehicles, bicycles, motor cycles, two-way radios, mobile data computer, watercraft, outboard motors, firearms, snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, radar speed meters, and sonar depth finders.
• Four (4) years of working knowledge of outdoor recreational participant’s habits, methods, and techniques and typical means of evading Conservation laws.
• Four (4) years of working experience coordinating and conducting varied training and provide Conservation law and services training to other state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies.

Conditions of Employment

 All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities:

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work under adverse and tactical conditions exposed to outdoor temperature extremes and inclement weather.
• Ability to enforce all applicable Illinois revised statues, federal and administrative laws.
• Successful completion of an approved training program such as the Illinois Conservation Police Officer Training program or equivalent which includes successful completion of the Illinois Basic Police Training Program.
•  Ability to periodically demonstrate continuing physical proficiency as defined by departmental policies sufficient to carry out the duties of this position.
• Ability to periodically qualify with appropriate firearms as defined by departmental policy and applicable law including skills and in the use of care and safety of such weapons.
• Ability to respond to special enforcement operations and to incidents requiring immediate response.
• Ability to effect physical arrests.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.  

Agency and Division Statement

DNR Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs; flexible/remote work schedules may be available for certain positions.

Office of Law Enforcement

The Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) supports the Department's programs designed to protect Illinois' natural and recreational resources through enforcement of those portions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes enacted for that purpose. Conservation Police Officers are vested with full state-wide police authority and are trained to the highest standards for law enforcement professionals in Illinois.  

In addition to these enforcement responsibilities, Conservation Police Officers serve as an important link between the Department and its various constituencies (civic groups, sportsmen's groups, sport shows, etc.). These officers are called upon to assist outside agencies in emergency situations or rescue operations. They participate in the instruction of conservation related statutes to outside agencies, law enforcement organizations, or educational institutions upon request.