Job Title: FISH & WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT DETECTIVE
Opening Date/Time: Fri. 10/06/17 12:00 AM Pacific Time
Closing Date/Time: Thu. 10/12/17 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $5,101.00 – $6,692.00 Monthly
Job Type: Agency Internal Promotional – Permanent
Location: Pierce County – Tacoma, Washington
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

 


THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE DETECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to protecting native fish and wildlife, and providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors. Working throughout the state, WDFW’s employees–field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, customer service representatives and others-manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species, maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands, provide opportunities for recreational and commercial fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting, protect and restore habitat and enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife resources.

WHO MAY APPLY
This recruitment is open on a promotional basis only to permanent employees of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Program.

LOCATION

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one (1) full time permanent Detective position, located within the Law Enforcement Program, Statewide Investigations Unit. This  position will primarily  focus on the  Program’s Strategic Objectives  related to commercial fish, shellfish, and wildlife trafficking and catch accounting issues, investigations and strategies connected to the Washington Animal Trafficking Act, and cooperative enforcement efforts with agencies assigned to the Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud. The residency requirement for this position is within twenty (20) miles of the legal boundary of the City of Tacoma, WA.

JOB SUMMARY

Within the Statewide Investigative Unit of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Detectives conduct thorough, comprehensive investigations of alleged fish and wildlife violations, particularly those that have the most impact on Washington’s fish and wildlife resources. Detectives develop investigation/operation plans utilizing overt and covert investigation techniques, confidential informants, advanced investigative technology, and training that will deter violations, apprehend violators, and protect the state’s resources.

 Duties:
Law Enforcement Investigations
  • Plan, organize, and conduct investigations and oversee investigative activities.
  • Using established investigation procedures and techniques, research allegations of fish and wildlife violations, criminal activities, security and/or safety issues.
  • Evaluate, initiate, organize and proactively pursue new or referred investigations.
  • Interview and/or interrogate individuals to obtain facts.
  • Research a variety of sources to obtain information such as background and criminal history records. Collect and evaluate evidence.
  • Prepares and maintains complete records of the history of each case being investigated.
  • Coordinate activities with other law enforcement agencies.
  • Obtain and execute search warrants needed to collect additional evidence.
  • Initiate covert surveillance activities.
  • Operate a surveillance vehicle and electronic and photographic surveillance equipment.
  • Develops sources of information; locates and interviews confidential informants.
  • Visits  locations  frequented  by  criminals  to  determine  criminal  habits,  associates, characteristics, aliases, and other relevant information.
  • Direct and conduct planning and implementation of raid and arrest briefings with Program officers, sergeants, captains and local law enforcement.
  • Obtain and execute arrest warrants needed to arrest persons suspected to have violated fish and wildlife laws.
  • Liaison with prosecutors’ offices and assists prosecutors in preparing cases for court.
  • Testify, present evidence, and serve as an expert witness in court.
  • Keep supervisor informed of activities and findings.
  • Advise management and staff regarding investigation issues and make recommendations on courses of action.
  • Collect, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate criminal intelligence information.
  • May conduct background investigations of prospective employees in the Law Enforcement Program, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual’s character, financial status or personal history.
Interagency Collaboration
  • May conduct joint investigations with other jurisdictions and coordinate investigative activities with state and federal law enforcement agencies in and out of state.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with outside agencies (federal, state and local) with natural resource focuses and other law enforcement agencies.
Accountability
  • Maintain an acceptable level of case work/investigations and carry a manageable case load.
  • Responsible for their own effectiveness and work product.
  • Accountable for specialized monetary accounts afforded them for investigative purposes.
  • Accountable for specialized equipment.
  • Accountable for the State’s time.
  • Expected to have approval from the SIU Lieutenant prior to initiating new cases, including but not limited to any undercover operations.
Technology and Inventory
  • Detectives are the primary users of and proprietors of the Law Enforcement Program’s forensic and technology interests.
  • Make recommendations to the SIU Lieutenant for the purchase of new and/or specialized technology
  • Maintain accountability for SIU technology inventory and make it available for use by officers when appropriate and with supervisor’s authorization.
Training and Development
  • Attend regularly scheduled WDFW Enforcement Program training sessions including but not limited to Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operations, and specialized covert operations training.
  • Actively seek out new training, especially for specialized training not available or practical for Field Officers.
WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Detectives work from Program offices, their homes, or in the field.
  • Detectives may be required to work in a hostile environment, adversarial situations, be exposed to hazardous work environments and inclement weather conditions.
  • Detectives are required to be physically confined for extended periods when conducting surveillance.
  • Detectives often work irregular hours, including nights and weekends as assignment(s) dictate.
  • Travel is required throughout the state; employees may be subject to transfer on a temporary or permanent basis anywhere in the state.
 Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:

Five (5) years of full-time law enforcement experience and current status as a Fish and Wildlife Officer 2 or higher with WDFW’s Law Enforcement Program.

Job knowledge (to perform the essential activities of this position, the employee must know or understand the following):

  • Detectives must be able to perform all tasks of a Fish and Wildlife Officer with a high level of competency.
  • Understand hunting and fishing seasons and areas, laws and regulations, and the locations of fish and wildlife resources being pursued by consumers.
  • Conducting criminal investigations; conducting interviews, gathering evidence,  analyzing facts, and preparing investigative reports.
  • The function and correct use of search warrants and affidavits, Miranda waivers, Ferrier warnings, property/evidence forms, officer notebooks, infraction and citation forms, prosecutor complaints and information, vessel reports, towing reports, forensics requests
  •  and lab results, HPA inspection forms, problem-wildlife forms, damage-claim forms, arrest reports, investigation reports, supplemental narrative reports, suspect/witness statements, and other miscellaneous forms that must be completed and interpreted correctly.
  • The operation and correct use of mobile data terminals, the Program’s records management system, Microsoft Office applications, specialized Program software and web applications.
  • The content and application of departmental and program regulations and policies; pertinent RCWs/WACs, criminal procedures and investigative processes; civil and administrative processes/procedures (e.g., asset forfeitures, license revocations, etc.); and communication avenues (Enforcement’s chain of command and Communications Center, Washington State Patrol dispatch, WDFW Public Affairs, the media, and stakeholder groups).           .
  • Species identification (endangered, protected, game,  non-game,  exotic,  deleterious,  etc.) and ways to assess the health, condition, quality, and distribution of fish and wildlife populations and habitat carrying capacities.
  • Typical harvest methods for given species and the equipment that is legal and illegal.
 Preferred/Desired  Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in an environmental field or criminal justice.

SUPPLEMENTAL  INFORMATION:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following in order:

A cover letter of not more than two (2) pages and at least size 11 font, describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letters will not be accepted).
A current resume of not more than two (2) pages and at least size 11 font.

Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above.

Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will result in disqualification. E- mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.

Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e- mail. You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process. In addition to the e- mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov. Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the ” work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE:
The anticipated date for the exam is October 23rd, 2017. Candidates will be evaluated and scored based on their results of the following promotional exam exercises:

  • Oral Panel Exam
  • Supplemental Questionnaire
  • Application, training and experience
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a
working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over
40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.