CONSERVATION OFFICER PARK RANGER
Pay Grade: 23
DEFINITION OF WORK
This is specialized park operations work involving public safety, public education, customer service, and resource management in state parks. An employee in this class is responsible for providing managerial support in park development, operation and maintenance, law enforcement, and administration. The primary focus of the work is to provide safe and attractive parks for public use. Work involves law enforcement of Wildlife and Parks regulations, as well as all other applicable Kansas laws, rules and regulations within state parks. Work also encompasses a wide variety of activities in areas such as park maintenance, natural resource conservation, public educational presentation, public complaint resolution, and facilities repair.
Standard Classification Factors
Supervision Received - LEVEL B: "Under general supervision " Employees working under general supervision usually receive some instructions with respect to the details of most assignments but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to only periodic checks.
Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category.
Complexity - LEVEL B: Work is of a structured nature including duties that have several related steps. This level involves simple analysis of data, identification of easily distinguishable facts and recognition of differences in related situations. Workers at this level exercise limited independent judgment in determining methods or procedures to be used in making minor decisions. Work is normally controlled by frequent review and consultation with supervisors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually specific and aid in determining an approach to problems or situations. Workers at this level must be able to identify basic differences in situations to determine the actions which need to be taken.
Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.
Contacts - LEVEL C: The purpose of the contact is to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level.
Physical Demands - LEVEL C: The work requires moderate physical exertion.
Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible.
Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance.
Differs from the Conservation Officer I class which involves patrolling an assigned geographic area to enforce conservation related rules and regulations and involves conservation related education rather than general law enforcement and park maintenance and operation.
Differs from the Wildlife and Parks Assistant Manager class which involves managerial responsibility for daily operations within a park.
Differs from the Conservation Worker class which does not involve law enforcement responsibility.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
Performs varied law enforcement work, which includes both state statutes and wildlife and parks rules, laws and regulations, within the park. Work includes patrolling, permit compliance, conducting investigations, responding to complaints and disturbances, issuing summonses and notices to appear, making arrests, testifying in court and maintaining law enforcement certification.
Assists and oversees the work of seasonal laborers or vendors in the administration of permit sales, revenue collection, and general office practices.
Resolves complaints from park patrons, constituent groups, other agencies, and individuals for specific circumstances involving maintenance, public safety, permits and sales, or other situations.
Promotes the value of department properties, programs and responsibilities through public speaking, positive constituent contacts, media contacts, educational programs, and participates in interpretive programs.
Coordinates and participates in park maintenance and development including facilities, utilities, grounds, and other public services. Provides direction and oversees seasonal employees in the administration of permit sales, revenue collection, accounting practices, and general office practices.
Prepares and implements projects for park operations including park maintenance and development including facilities, utilities, grounds and other public services.
Maintains records of routine and special enforcement activities including, but not limited to, arrests and convictions and complaints and actions. Compiles reports on park related activities.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS
Knowledge of park operations, development, and maintenance practices.
Knowledge of the use and maintenance of light construction , lawn equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
Knowledge of natural resources and management.
Knowledge of state and local laws pertaining to use of state parks, natural resources, boating, and motor vehicles.
Knowledge of criminal law, legal proceedings, investigative procedures, evidence collection and preservation, analysis, and crime prevention.
Knowledge of park design and recreation practices.
Knowledge of visitor safety practices.
*Knowledge of correct grammar and usage.
Knowledge of agency procedures.
Ability to perform standard law enforcement practices including, but not limited to, physical arrests, firearm discharge and retention, maintain required training, and rescue operations.
Ability to use maintenance and construction equipment, power tools, and hand tools.
*Ability to operate motor vehicles, boats, and limited heavy equipment.
*Ability to read and comprehend technical written material and draw conclusions from information available.
*Ability to communicate through public speaking, writing reports and proposals, and individuals.
*Ability to work long hours under difficult and arduous conditions.
*Ability to remain alert over long periods of time.
Ability to operate computers and calculators.
Ability to compute fees and to collect and account for receipts.
*Ability to act calmly and reasonably during an emergency.
Ability to interact with a variety of individuals to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to use radio equipment in a professional manner and comprehend all information received.
*Necessary at Entry
Job knowledge at an entry level in wildlife/park operations and a valid driver's license.
A college degree in a natural resource subject is strongly preferred.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position in this class require the employee to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. Certification must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. The employee must complete a basic law enforcement training program recognized by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission and annual training as required by K.S.A. 74-5607a.
This class requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position in this class, candidates cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 922 (d) (9) and (g) (9).
Positions in this class require that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services.