Job Title
2015-120 , Conservation Agent Trainee at Statewide Statewide,
Salary Range
Salary Range: $36,084 - $63,588
Beginning Salary: $36,084 depending upon qualification.
Duties and Responsibilities
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED TO FILL UP TO A TEN MEMBER CLASS FOR CONSERVATION AGENT TRAINEES SCHEDULED TO BEGIN APRIL 1, 2016. TRAINEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO RESIDE IN DEPARTMENT PROVIDED HOUSING IN JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI DURING THE TRAINING.
Conservation Agent Trainees will be paid $3,007.00 monthly during the training period and are eligible for benefits. Upon successful completion of training, Conservation Agent Trainees will be eligible for a pay increase and will receive an assignment to a county in the state.
All correspondence for this position will be via email. On the submitted application, select email as the “preferred method of contact” and list an up-to-date email address for notifications.
College transcripts must be sent to Human Resources, P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. Application and transcripts must be received in the Central Office at Jefferson City, Missouri by August 17, 2015.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
RESOURCE LAW ENFORCEMENT
Field patrol; check hunting-fishing activity for Wildlife Code violations; special investigations; investigation of reported violations; enforce state laws within statutory jurisdiction; assists in prosecution of persons apprehended for violating laws and regulations; other pertinent enforcement responsibilities.
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND EDUCATION
Adult and youth meetings; hunter safety instruction; radio and TV programs; fairs and exhibits; newspaper articles; fishing reports for radio and newspaper releases; meeting with schools, sportsmen's clubs and other organizations.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Wildlife censuses and surveys; investigation of wildlife damage complaints; landowner habitat improvement information; wildlife disease investigations and reports; other duties directly related to wildlife management.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Pollution investigations; inspection of farm ponds for fish stocking; assistance in fish distribution; fish rescue; management of community lakes, public access points, etc.; lake and pond management information for owners; other duties directly related to fisheries management.
FOREST MANAGEMENT
Forestry development with private landowners; forestry arson investigation; other duties directly related to forest management.
OTHER DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES
Assistance in land acquisition investigations; assistance with selection of permit distributing agents; equipment maintenance; in-service training programs; emergency public services including first aid, assistance at drownings, flood rescues, etc.; and other duties representing the Department.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry, Fisheries Management, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Conservation, Natural Resources Conservation Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, or other related Biological Sciences, or closely related Natural Resource subjects.
Candidates born after January 1, 1984, must be able to pass an approved boating safety course and obtain a Missouri Boating Safety Certification Card within 6 months of employment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
All individuals accepted into the training class must demonstrate ability and proficiency in essential physical endeavors such as the following:
* Run sprints
*Run for sustained periods of time (over two minutes)
* Run up and down stairs
* Dodge obstacles
* Crawl under obstacles
*Jump and vault over obstacles
* Climb fences
* Lift and carry light (under 25 lbs.) to heavy (over 100 lbs.) for specified distances
* Lift and carry victims
* Extract victims from automobiles and buildings
* Drag victims or suspects
* Push vehicles off roadway
* Use of force by pushing and pulling in self defense situations for a designated period of time
* Bend to enter and exit vehicles and watercraft
* Bend and twist in use of force situations
For a printable version of the frequently asked questions regarding the physical fitness test, go to http://mdc.mo.gov/17943
Core Competencies and Special Ability Requirements
Ability to:
Accept all responsibilities of the job and assigned tasks.
Use provided computer technology to enhance the quality of work and programs.
Keep focused on understanding, anticipating and responding to the needs of customers.
Administer financial resources in a manner which instills public trust and accomplishes the Department’s mission.
Accept change and new information and cope with job pressure and stress.
Identify internal and external politics that impact the work of the Department.
Define a problem, analyze relevant information, develop solutions and solve problems.
Maintain focus and intensity, and remain optimistic and persistent even under adversity.
Demonstrate technical proficiency in areas of responsibility.
Create and sustain an atmosphere in which timely, quality information flows between self and others and to express facts and ideas in a convincing manner whether one-on-one or within or before groups.
Take a long-term view of the Department’s or Unit’s direction and articulate a vision which integrates key program goals, priorities, values and other factors.
Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.
Use firearms and pass a qualification test using a Department-issued sidearm.
Operate a motor vehicle and obtain a Missouri Driver License by the date of employment.
Learn to swim.
Have eyesight corrected to 20/20 in both eyes.
Lift small boats, outboard motors, canoes and remove deer killed by automobiles from highways.
Work out-of-doors in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
Observe and classify wildlife species, fish species, trees and common insects and identify diseases inherent to trees and insects.
Analyze data and apply relevant wildlife, fisheries and forest management principles to the solution of problems.
Express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Enforce wildlife laws firmly and tactfully, with respect for the rights of others.
Create public awareness of and involvement in fish, forest and wildlife programs and to provide leadership to the public in this activity.
Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with elected officials, members of the press, educators, community leaders, courts, representatives from related agencies and the general public.
Walk in rough terrain.
Make independent decisions and act quickly and decisively on the determined course of action.
Work under stress for prolonged periods.
Utilize and maintain issued equipment.
Teach conservation and related subjects to the public.
Work varied hours including Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
These positions have been determined to be non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time off in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department’s Compensation Time Off and Overtime policy.
Smoking is prohibited in all owned, rented or leased Department of Conservation offices, buildings, and similar facilities, in Department aircraft, and in vehicles.
The Department of Conservation will hire only United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must authorize and give permission for the Department to conduct an extensive pre-employment background check of judicial records, including but not limited to MULES, NCIC, employment records, social media and any other available records.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment, pass Protection Division mandatory physical fitness requirements, psychological fitness and aptitude evaluation following conditional offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.