CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE

Position Overview

This position receives intensive and ongoing orientation, classroom instruction and scenario based training on the enforcement of State and Federal conservation laws and how to apply these laws to ensure public safety and control of the use of Illinois regulated natural resources, field guidance and counseling in providing for public safety and professional enforcement of all Illinois Complied Statues and applicable Federal laws and administrative laws.

Essential Functions

1. Under immediate authority of a senior statutory Conservation Police Officer, receives intensive and ongoing orientation, classroom instruction, and scenario based training on the enforcement of State and Federal conservation laws and how to apply these laws to ensure public safety and control of the use of Illinois regulated natural resources, field guidance and counseling in providing for public safety and professional enforcement of all Illinois Compiled Statues and applicable Federal laws and administrative laws
2. Through direct instructions and the participation in field training program and actual field enforcement activities learns a variety of technical skills required to perform the daily activities of a Conservation Police Officers
3. Receives direct instruction through classroom lecture, field training program and direct field experience on how to effectively convey interpretations of applicable state and federal laws, Department and Division policies, procedures and programs to the general public
4.  Receives direct instruction through classroom lecture, field training program and direct field experience in the utilization, operation, and safe use of recreational and commercial equipment which is common to the jurisdiction of Conservation Police Officer
5.  Receives direct instruction on the identification and management of common native aquatic life, wildlife, forest and plants, endangered and threatened species, nuisance species, and common species imported into the State through classroom lectures, visual aids, field exercises and use of provided reference materials
6. Receives direct instruction through classroom lectures, field training program and direct field experience on working with and coordinating join law enforcement efforts with police officers from other law enforcement agencies
7. Completes outlined tasks as part of the Field Training Program to demonstrate understanding of topics and ability to perform in competent manner
8. Completes all required Division, Department, State and Federal forms and reports (evidence forms and tags, long form complaints, judicial processing forms, field reports and supplementals, safety education attendance, DUI/OUI forms, etc.)
9. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

At the time of hire, the person must be not less than 20 years of age and have successfully completed an associate's degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university. Any person so hired shall not have power of arrest, nor shall he or she be permitted to carry firearms, until he or she reaches 21 years of age; Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, all persons who meet one of the following requirements are deemed to have met the collegiate education requirements:
(a) have been honorably discharged and who have been awarded a Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal by the United States Armed Forces;
(b) are active members of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces and who have been awarded a Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty;
(c) have been honorably discharged and served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty;
OR
(d) have at least 3 years of full active and continuous military duty and received an honorable discharge before hiring.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers Certification as a sworn Illinois Police Officer
• Prefers three (3) years as a sworn Police Officer
• Prefers a completed Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following and One(1) year of work experience in any of the following:
  • Conservation Law Enforcement
  • Administration of Justice
  • Corrections and Law Enforcement
  • Social Justice
  • Biology
  • Zoology
  • Botany
  • Ecology
  • Forestry
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Recreation
  • Safety
  • Other similar areas of study

Employment Conditions

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 ability to pass the Office of Law Enforcement Background Investigation.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.
• Requires ability to complete the POWER test. 
• Requires ability to complete the SWIM test. 
• Requires ability to pass the Office of Law Enforcement Oral Interview. 
• Requires ability to pass the Office of Law Enforcement Psychological Examination. 
• Requires ability to pass the Office of Law Enforcement Medical Examination.
• Requires ability to effect physical arrest.
• Requires ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.
• Requires ability to obtain a FOID card.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

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

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.