CONSERVATION POLICE SERGEANT

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hiring a Conservation Police Sergeant for Region 1, District 5.  This position serves as a full line supervisor, serves as liaison with county, state, and municipal police agencies and the US District Attorneys, coordinates and executes inter-agency law enforcement projects at the state and federal levels, serves as an authorized US Fish and Wildlife Deputy Special Agent in major federal investigations and provides assistance in coordinating law enforcement efforts between state and federal agencies.  We welcome all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

• Under general direction, serves as a supervising sworn statutory peace officer.
• Prepares and monitors various District reports and performs field inspections.
• Oversees the assignments to investigate complaints within the District.
• Monitors and reviews all pending prosecutions related to conservation efforts within the District.
• Represents the district, interpreting state and federal rules and regulations to various groups.
• Develops and implements the District's work plan providing guidance for the most efficient use of personnel and fiscal resources.
• Enforces all Illinois Compiled Statutes, including federal laws; apprehends violators, follows prosecution procedures and submits reports.
• Serves as acting regional commander in absence of higher-level manager.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Requirements

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree, preferably with major coursework in either law enforcement, social justice, or the social sciences, or in a related conservation field such as forestry or natural resource management, biological and physical sciences; 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 successful completion of an approved training program such as the Illinois Conservation Police Officer Training Program which includes successful completion of the Illinois Basic Police Training Program.
• Requires three years law enforcement experience as a Conservation Police Officer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of working knowledge of outdoor recreational and commercial equipment used for fishing, trapping, hunting, boating and snowmobiling
• Two (2) years of working knowledge of outdoor recreational participant's habits, methods and techniques relative to various state and federal conservation laws
• Two (2) years of working knowledge of investigations, arrests, confiscation and handling of evidence, and prosecution procedures
• Two (2) years of working knowledge of supervisory techniques and practices
• Two (2) years of experience enforcing all applicable Illinois Revised Statutes, federal and administrative laws
• Two (2) years of experience promoting safety education programs and other divisional programs and services at a district level

Employment Conditions

Applicants must possess the ability to meet ALL of the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position:

1. Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history

2. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license

3. Requires ability to travel in performance of duties

4. Ability to demonstrate continued physical proficiency

5. Ability to demonstrate continued firearms qualifications.

6. Ability to continue departmental professional training

7. Ability to swim

8. Ability to work under adverse tactical conditions, exposed to outdoor temperature extremes and inclement weather.

9. Ability to effect physical arrests

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

Division and Agency Statements

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.

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.