Job Description

Please remember to attach the required documents Cover Letter, Resume, and POST Transcripts listed in this announcement. Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on July 24, 2023. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

**The advertised salary includes the $1.50 increase recently passed by the 2023 MT State Legislature regarding the state pay plan effective July 1, 2023.

Cover Letter Requirements - include details of your qualifications, training, education and experience and explain how it makes you the best candidate for the position.

Special Information:
Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

Missoula, Hamilton, Deer Lodge are primary locations, however, we will consider surrounding areas based upon meeting positional fit.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

By the nature and complexity of warden sergeants\xe2\x80\x99 duties, typically the warden sergeant is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to support field staff, respond to the public and address wildlife issues. Job demands are heaviest during weekends & holidays. Warden sergeants may work odd hours, generally alone with no backup. Officer must be regularly respond to verbal communication, alarms, telephones and radio communications.

Officers must be in excellent physical health and condition. This position requires frequent climbing, bending, pushing, pulling, dragging. Requires lifting 50lbs unassisted. Working with sick or injured wildlife, removing illegal kills, trapping and relocating animals, back packing, horseback patrols, loading and unloading, operating boats, snowmobiles, and OHV\xe2\x80\x99s, physical labor in deep snow, and use of force incidents require physical strength, stamina and/or force. Officers must be in excellent mental condition as a warden sergeant must deal with all types of personalities and stress levels.

The warden sergeant is required to function in all weather extremes, under adverse working conditions for prolonged patrols and activities. Patrolling often requires sitting for long periods of time in a vehicle. Handling various wildlife and equipment, traversing rough terrain, including water, operating vehicles/vessels at high speeds and under unstable conditions may result in injury. Dangerous interactions with criminals, executing arrests and being subject to assault and to dangerous substances including drugs and bodily fluids is to be expected.

Job Duties:

The Warden Sergeant is a first line-supervisor, law enforcement officer responsible for supervising law enforcement field staff and implementing the law enforcement program in the region, including assisting in the development, monitoring and evaluation of enforcement aspects of FWP programs in the region. Warden Sergeants are knowledgeable in criminal law, criminal procedure, search & seizure, detention & arrest, the judicial process and general personnel matters including the elements of progressive discipline. They facilitate and coordinate criminal investigations within the region accordingly.

-The Sergeant is responsible to the Warden Captain for carrying out the Department\'s plan for FWP\'s law enforcement activities within the region.

-The Sergeant plans, assigns and reviews operational objectives to be met in a timely and cost-efficient manner and develops mechanisms for identifying and solving problems as needs arise.

-The Sergeant monitors budget and personal services expenditures.

-The Sergeant provides guidance and monitoring of Enforcement Division utilization of PR funding.

-The Sergeant completes midyear and annual performance reviews and any performance plans or disciplinary action for the wardens in his or her report.

-Works with the Regional Investigator on planning search warrants and take downs.

-The incumbent avails him/herself to subordinates for technical direction in interpretation of law or policy. Maintains currency in computer training relative to wildlife investigations and record keeping.

-Participates in and also provides training in career development.

-Coordinates and aids in the enforcement of state and federal fish and wildlife conservation laws, regulations as well as parks and recreation laws and regulations.

-Assumes similar duties as field warden as needed or seasons require.

-Maintains close liaison with law enforcement agencies at the local, county, state, federal and Tribal levels concerning issues of mutual concern that relate to fish, wildlife, parks and recreation management.

-Assists in the training of new fish, wildlife and parks wardens. Assumes supervisory responsibilities during the captain\xe2\x80\x99s absence.

-Participates in scheduling and occasionally patrolling vacant warden district as needed.

-Participates in fish, wildlife and parks issues within the region, providing technical expertise, input on legal and social ramifications of proposed decisions as well as supports other bureaus and divisions in various decision-making processes.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Proficient knowledge of major fish and wildlife species and their habitats

Proficient knowledge of the wide variety of outdoor recreation in Montana.

Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of law enforcement and its functions commonly obtained through peace officer certification.

Extensive knowledge in the use of force continuum and officer survival.

Excellent oral & written communication skills are required so as to interact with the media in addition to an extensive understanding of sociology, psychology, conflict management & resolution, and criminal behavior patterns in order to communicate with and understand the general public and those who recreate outdoors and in department owned recreational areas.

Proficient in the use of a variety of firearms and standard law enforcement equipment including all types of motorized vehicles & equipment, complex monitoring devices, simulated wildlife, computers, electronics, traps, immobilizing agents & a working knowledge of equipment used by other department divisions.

High proficiency in the use of Mobile Computer Terminals and their functions, programs and systems as well as proficiency in the use of various computers, programs, and electronic systems.

Thorough knowledge of department organization, policy, operation and budget, fish, wildlife, parks and recreation laws, rules and regulations.

Possess professional & technical knowledge in each of the department\'s responsibilities; enforcement, fish, wildlife & parks management, conservation education, and field services to ensure constituents and the department\'s needs are addressed.

Working knowledge of standard administrative procedures and practices, state budgeting rules and procedures.

Knowledge of personnel management concepts and practices and possess the ability to analyze data and make professional judgments in the course of supervising and working with other people.

Skilled in procedures for mitigating wildlife damage/depredation, infectious wildlife diseases, trapping & transplanting, immobilization & relocation of wildlife.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology or Management, Park Management, Outdoor Recreation, Criminal Justice or a closely related field and 5 or more years of job-related work experience.

An applicant must be:

At least 18 years of age on the date of appointment.

A United States citizen and must be or become a Montana resident in conjunction with appointment as a Fish, Wildlife & Parks Warden.

In excellent physical and mental health and must be able to pass a medical examination and a strength and agility test according to standards set forth by the Montana Board of Crime Control and prescribed by the department (minimum visual acuity is 20/100 corrected to 20/20 in both eyes).

Montana State Government