This is the second class in the Game Warden Series that exercises general police powers on a statewide basis to enforce fish, wildlife, and boat laws. This class provides guidance to Game Wardens; performs specialized duties to promote wildlife conservation and hunting and boating safety: performs special covert operations; and provides specialized law enforcement training. This class is distinguished from the Came Warden class by its responsibility for leading and guiding Game Wardens; its specialization in undercover investigations; or its provision of related training and educational services. This class is distinguished from the Game Warden Supervisor class by the latter’s supervisory responsibilities, to include supervision of Game Wardens and Game Warden Seniors.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty which involves leading a staff of Game Wardens in a designated patrol area and participating in law enforcement work. Determines work schedules and duty assignments; performs routine patrols to ensure coverage throughout the area; reviews work diaries to verify work performed and hours worked; performs on-site inspections to review and evaluate work in progress and to lead training exercises; leads district officers in coordinated stake-outs, raids, and arrest operations; evaluates citation and arrest performance by reviewing summons and arrest documents for conformance with the law and acceptable practices; reviews the preparation of court cases to determine if the testimony and physical evidence support prosecution; monitors the education and public relations functions to ensure consistency with district objectives; and checks with local law enforcement agencies to determine if fish, wildlife and boat complaints are cleared promptly. Inspects equipment, determines maintenance needs, and authorizes routine repairs. Provides hunter safety education, training, and public relations support within the region. Recruits, trains, certifies, and monitors the progress of volunteer hunter safety instructors; and provides supplies, program guidance and on-site assistance for hunting and boating safety classes. Performs background investigations on Game Warden candidates; orients new Wardens within the region; investigates routine complaints against Game Wardens; plans and presents regional law enforcement training programs and presents educational programs to civic organizations. Positions in this class may specialize in undercover investigations.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor, however positions may lead, guide, or review the work of Game Wardens.

Supervision Received: Receives directions from a Game Warden Supervisor regarding work projects and objectives, time frames and desired results.

Scope: Work affects public safety, landowner property, the success of other law enforcement agencies, the concerns of sports persons and economic interests within a multi-county patrol area.

Impact of Actions: Work has significant impact on law enforcement activities in terms of time, money and public goodwill and directly affects the success of these activities within an area or region. Effective decisions ensure enforcement of fish, wildlife, and boat laws. Ineffective decisions could result in loss of wildlife resources.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with state and local police, area magistrates, area Commonwealth’s Attorneys, civic organizations and federal fish and wildlife agencies regarding issues of law enforcement, departmental programs’ wildlife management BEEP and the provision or acquisition of information.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the judicial system, legal procedures, applicable sections of the Code of Virginia, agency regulations and generally accepted law enforcement practices as they apply to fish, wildlife, and boat activities. Working knowledge of techniques used to guide or lead the work of others.

Skills: Considerable skill in the safe and effective use of applicable law enforcement and communications equipment and powerboats.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to understand, interpret and apply applicable sections of the Code of Virginia, rules of evidence, laws of search and seizure, court rulings and legal opinions relevant to fish, wildlife, and boat activities; to lead the work of others and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

OUALIFICAT1ONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Law enforcement certification by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and a valid Virginia driver’s license.

Education or Training: Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience in general law enforcement, wildlife conservation, hunting and boating safety, or in a field related to fish, wildlife, and boating regulations.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and edited and validated by the Department of Personnel and training, effective April 1991.

Last updated: 04/16/91