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CPW CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR III / Aquatic Nuisance Species - (West Slope, CO)

Colorado Department of Natural Resources
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This work unit exists to comply with, and coordinate implementation of, the Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Act (SB 08-226). In tandem with implementing the ANS Act, the work unit strives to implement the State Zebra and Quagga Mussel Management Plan, State ANS Management Plan, State New Zealand Mudsnail Management Plan, State Eurasian watermilfoil Management Plan, and State Rusty Crayfish Management Plan.  In doing so, this position is required to provide assistance to staff in complying with CPW regulations Wildlife-Chapter 0, Wildlife Chapter 1, and Parks Chapter 8 (ANS regulations), and the Colorado Weed Management Act (35-5.5-101-119).

Description of Job

This position supports the statewide ANS Program’s mission of preventing the introduction of aquatic nuisance species and containing current infestations through the implementation of roadside watercraft inspection and decontamination programs, law enforcement and investigations.  It requires the knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve as subject matter expert in ANS law enforcement matters for CPW field staff. The position will manage watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) stations, including hiring and supervision of temporary employees, and coordination with partner agencies as well as area and regional staff. Position will provide training to WID stations as part of the regulation required certification program for ANS and participate in procedure/curriculum development including participation in the WID Supervisors Team and State ANS Task Force.  This position will regularly enforce ANS laws and regulations at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations and work with partner agencies to ensure high compliance rates at aquatic nuisance species check stations. 

This position provides law enforcement investigation planning, coordination, and evaluation services for the aquatic nuisance species program as needed.  This position investigates violations related to aquatic nuisance species in an overt capacity.  This position writes and reviews search and arrest warrant affidavits and warrants, deploys needed resources statewide that will provide for the safety of all involved. This position also writes and reviews court order affidavits and court orders. This position also works with and maintains direct contact with all of the District Attorney Offices and acts as an advisory witness and wildlife law enforcement expert on ANS related criminal cases. This position assists in training CPW officers on ANS detection, enforcement and investigative techniques.

Law Enforcement / Emergency Services
This POST-certified officer participates in the work unit’s law enforcement program. Provides professional level law enforcement of Colorado’s Revised Statutes (C.R.S.), including parks and wildlife, criminal, traffic, children’s, and liquor codes across the state of Colorado. Responsible for training temporary officers (limited and fully commissioned) and ensuring the quality of their law enforcement. Enforces ANS laws and regulations as they pertain to ANS check stations including the routine pursuit of vehicles bypassing mandatory inspection station stops. Issues warnings, tickets, arrests, and investigates OHV, snowmobile, and/or minor motor vehicle accidents. Supervises others as needed performing the same duties. Generates law enforcement cases, docketing cases in the appropriate courts, making required court appearances, completing incident offenses and other law enforcement reports, and maintaining training standards commensurate with the position. Assists with the development of law enforcement operating procedures as they pertain to ANS enforcement. 

This position must train and certify in all required disciplines by Colorado POST and CPW policy, including but not limited to; firearms training and qualifications, defensive tactics and arrest/control, driving, anti-bias and other annually mandated training.  Additionally, this position must be proficient in the use of defensive equipment (all firearms, ASP Baton, OC Spray, Conducted Electrical Weapon), body worn cameras and RAMS.

Manage Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Stations
Plans, directs, oversees, and supervises watercraft inspection and decontamination stations at Ports of Entry and other roadside locations. Ensures program management needs are met effectively, efficiently, and consistently by researching, designing, developing, planning, budgeting, and implementing work unit operational guidelines, procedures, programs, and/or plans. Works collaboratively with partners to make decisions regarding schedules and potential site improvements. Researches, designs, develops, plans, implements, and supervises a variety of educational, public safety, informational, and interpretive programs and events to expand upon the purpose of the aquatic nuisance species program and to promote the work unit as well as Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Resolves program related challenges. Collaborates and assists seasonal staff, other FTE staff, supervisors, and work unit managers to ensure efforts are consistent with the goals of the work unit and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Prepares, maintains, documents and evaluates all efforts related to watercraft inspection and decontamination. Completes and maintains accurate and complete program files. Budgets, tracks, determines, recommends, and documents expenditures related to program management. Orders and/or purchases materials/supplies necessary to maintain/operate WID stations, 

Investigations
Coordinates and conducts misdemeanor and felony investigations, both intra and inter-regional, and interstate.  Acts as a case manager and team leader on complex investigations involving aquatics and aquatic nuisance species.  Coordinates such investigations within the state and/or with other state and federal agencies (i.e. BLM, USFS, USFWS, local sheriff’s departments, District Attorneys, DORA, etc.). Conducts interviews of suspects and/or coordinates interviews in cooperation with field staff.  Arrests and restrains suspected violators.  Issues citations in the form of penalty assessments, summons or indictments as needed. Writes and reviews search and arrest warrant affidavits and warrants, deploys needed resources that attempt to take in all contingencies and will provide for the safety of all officers, subjects and the general public that might be involved. Provides direction to personnel in their assignments before, during and after the warrant service. Coordinates and/or conducts the collection of evidence in criminal investigations, ensuring compliance with applicable rules of criminal procedure and case law. Analyzes criminal histories. Analyzes complex data before, during and after an investigation and makes decisions on the direction and scope of an investigation.  Compiles, organizes and summarizes evidence, reports and documentation in the form of case files and discovery as required by law and provides that information to district attorneys for prosecution. Assists prosecutors with their case preparation, response to defense motions, trial preparation, witness coordination, and presentation. Acts as a prosecution expert witness during complex wildlife and park trials. Testifies during trials as a witness and as an expert witness as needed.  

In addition, this position may aid other law enforcement units across the state on an as-needed basis to help fill personnel shortages, provide specialized knowledge and for training purposes. The employee may assist with the Boating Safety Unit, Law Enforcement Unit, K9 Unit, or other regionally based work units (state parks or wildlife areas) as needed. Examples of these duties may include providing additional resources for large scale search warrants, surveillance operations, providing cover for covert operations or assisting at parks when there are personnel shortages.

Public and Partner Contact and Relations
Encounters daily contact with the public and partner agencies during law enforcement and informational contacts with potential for positive or negative public and partner relations implications. Strives to maintain a positive image of themselves and of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Conducts a variety of educational, public safety, informational, and interpretive programs and events to expand upon the purpose of the work unit and to promote the work unit as well as Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Advocates the interests of the work unit to gain public support for the work unit, its programs, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Presents public safety, environmental education, and/or interpretive programs, makes appearances on radio and television, and writes newsletter, newspaper, and magazine articles to generate interest and support for the work unit and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Answers questions and conducts informal public contacts on the phone, by email, and at aquatic nuisance species check stations. Identifies target audiences such as park visitors, the general public, schools, and special interest groups. Explains rules, policies, and regulations to visitors. Promotes all Colorado Parks and Wildlife areas and activities. Participates in working groups and develops positive and productive working relationships with partners. 

Temporary Work Program Supervisor
Assumes a leadership role in interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, developing work plans, scheduling, motivating, and conflict resolution for temporary customer service employees. Takes (and/or recommends to direct supervisor) appropriate corrective/disciplinary action for temporary employees. Directly oversees and supervises unarmed temporary workers at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations. Recruits, interviews, hires, trains supervises, advises, counsels, motivates, assigns duties, schedules, resolves conflicts, delegates special projects/duties, ensures compliance with statutes and all policies and procedures, takes appropriate corrective/disciplinary actions regarding employee performance as directed, conducts meetings, and develops work programs for their respective temporary employees, that accomplishes the work unit and Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s desired mission. Implements processes to ensure assigned temporary workers are trained and performing their assigned duties on a daily basis. The position will work with the work unit’s management staff on scheduling and adjusting staffing patterns as the need arises.

Administration
Acts as agency authority for law enforcement issues relating to overall agency mission, which includes working knowledge of state park and wildlife law, state criminal law, and federal statutes pertaining to parks and wildlife.  Reviews and analyzes submitted law enforcement documents and reports to assure adherence to applicable law enforcement procedures and policies.  Provides direction to contract and temporary staff.  Reviews, revises, and recommends state-wide agency policies, procedures, regulations and statutes as it pertains to aquatic nuisance species enforcement.  Develops law enforcement plans for aquatic nuisance species check stations as needed.  Maintains liaisons and attends meetings with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, District Attorney’s offices, and United States Attorney’s offices.  Answer questions from the public concerning aquatic nuisance species law enforcement and CPW policies and programs.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

Six (6) years of relevant experience in law enforcement, park/recreation management, natural resource management, wildlife biology/management/research, conservation, environmental science/management, biology or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position. or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
OR
A combination of related education (Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Aquatic Biology/Fishery Science/Aquaculture/Fishery Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Outdoor Recreation, Zoology/Animal Sciences, Law), formalized apprenticeship program, certification, and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.

AND
Any required certifications as needed for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Current or former State experience relevant to this position
  • Current or former Colorado Parks and Wildlife experience
  • Invasive Species Management
  • Law enforcement experience
  • Ability to work with different teams and foster productive relationships 
  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment
  • Excellent communication skills

Required Competencies

  • Organizational and time management skills
  • Strong multitasking skills
  • Dedication to ongoing training 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google suite
  • Strong level of written and oral communication skills
  • Case management analysis
  • Analyzing complex intelligence information and deploying correct resources
  • Logistical planning for arrest and search warrants
  • Up to date knowledge of laws, rules, procedures, systems, techniques, and skills related to all aspects of law enforcement
  • Public presentations and speaking


Conditions of Employment
 

  • Must be POST certified in Colorado or another state at the time of application. 
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
  • Pre-employment Physical
    • Successfully run 300 meters in 72 seconds
    • Perform 21 push-ups in one minute (rest in "up" position only, no knees, arms flex to 90 degrees, stay flat)
    • Perform 28 sit-ups in one minute (back completely off the ground when sitting up)
    • Walk/Run 1.5 miles in 17 minutes
    • Lift a 60-lb pound object from the ground, and carry at chest level for 100 yards without stopping in two minutes
  • Pre-employment Drug Testing
  • Ongoing Functional Capacity Testing: Firearms proficiency – Post Certified minimum requirements 
     
  • Background Check
  • Regular work hours may start before 5AM or end after 10PM.  Given the incident driven nature of the position, shifts of 12+ hours are not uncommon.  In emergency situations, shifts may run for an indeterminate period
  • Required to work variable hours and work/respond based on need, not schedule
  • Use, Handling or Exposure to hazardous materials- Explain: Not regularly, though emergency response may expose employees to hazardous materials.  
  • The LE officer will carry a firearm daily, meet proficiency standards at least quarterly and encounter armed citizens regularly in the course of regular duties (Law enforcement, hunting, fishing, campground checks etc.)
  • Travel for training, on-going investigations and wildlife management is required (both in and out of state travel)
  • Travel in state travel may exceed 30 days per year
  • Must be capable of operating all regularly carried law enforcement/defensive equipment/uniform items (including but not limited to: duty belt, handgun, handcuffs, OC, ASP baton, radio) as required. Must complete 40 hours of law enforcement training and must stay current in CPR and First Aid, duty weapon qualifications and other required certifications.
  • Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position.  (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).

The successful applicant will be required to live within the area of responsibility. The Officer assignment is listed below: 

  • West Slope: The successful applicant will be required to live within the area of responsibility. The successful applicant must be able to respond to the Durango or Grand Junction CPW office in no more than 1 hour.

Pursuant to the DNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle. 

To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who: 

Have an assigned State fleet vehicle

Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position

Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle