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

Colorado Parks And Wildlife Enforcement Coordinator

This position supports the statewide aquatic nuisance species 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 aquatic nuisance species law enforcement matters for Colorado Parks and Wildlife field staff. The position will manage watercraft inspection and decontamination 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 watercraft inspection and decontamination stations as part of the regulation required certification program for aquatic nuisance species and participate in procedure / curriculum development including participation in the watercraft inspection and decontamination supervisors team and state aquatic nuisance species task force. This position will regularly enforce aquatic nuisance species 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 aquatic nuisance species related criminal cases. This position assists in training Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers on aquatic nuisance species detection, enforcement and investigative techniques.

This POST-certified officer participates in the work unit's law enforcement program. Provides professional level law enforcement of Colorado's Revised Statutes, 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 aquatic nuisance species laws and regulations as they pertain to aquatic nuisance species 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 aquatic nuisance species enforcement. This position must train and certify in all required disciplines by Colorado POST and Colorado Parks and Wildlife 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.

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 watercraft inspection and decontamination stations.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 Colorado Parks and Wildlife policies and programs.

Other duties as assigned.