Chief Game Warden

SUMMARY

The Conservation Chief Game Warden position is responsible for the administration of the Conservation department. Enforces appropriate hunting, fishing, gathering and trapping regulations in the assigned jurisdictional area, often working closely with other internal and external enforcement agency personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resources, Fisheries Management, Criminal Justice or related degree.
• Must have completed BIA Indian Police Academy and/or Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Certifiable.
• MCOLES certification preferred.
• Must become LEIN certified.
• Must have a valid Driver's License and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patrol and enforce all conservation laws applicable within the 1836 Treaty Ceded Territory, including Treaty Fishing, Subsistence Fishing activities and all Inland Code regulations governing fishing, gathering, hunting, and trapping pertaining to Grand Traverse Band Tribal Members or enforce Inland Codes developed by Bay Mills Indian Community, Little River Band or Ottawa's, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa's, if empowered to do so as Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA)
• Assist Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police when requested.
• Assist all Conservation Departments by requests that are members of the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA).
• Coordinate joint enforcement patrols with member tribes of (CORA) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
• Assist all BIA, State, County, City Municipality, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and FBI enforcement agents when requested or to provide immediate assistance or backup.
• Assist Tribal members and or the general public when an immediate response or action is necessary.
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and year-end reports to the Tribal Manager to meet timelines.
• Routinely patrol areas within Ceded Territory.
• Make arrest and service warrants.
• Prepare and present incident reports/evidence
• Establish monthly patrol schedules.
• Monitor all program requirements and budget expenditures.
• Will be responsible to see that Conservation is following the minimum standards required of all law enforcement programs that receive funding from the Department of Interior (25 CFR 11.304).
• Confiscate evidence when warranted.
• Qualify semi-annually for firearm use.
• Investigate reports of Treaty Fishing violations, issue warnings and/or citations when warranted.
• Investigate reports of Inland Code violations, issue warnings and/or citations when warranted.
• Establish rapport and coordinate activities with other Tribal Conservation and State DNR Officers.
• Assist other Tribal, County, Federal, US Fish & Wildlife and State Agencies when requested or under emergency situations.
• Attend staff and Tribal Council meetings when possible, or mandatory.
• Become thoroughly familiar with Personnel Policies, Federal Regulations, Conservation Inland Codes and Tribal Constitution.
• Be in full uniform while on patrol, unless authorized to wear appropriate clothing for a specific assignment.
• May be required to be on call.
• Be responsible for vehicle maintenance so vehicle is kept in good running condition.
• Attend appropriate training sessions to meet minimum forty-hour training requirements.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor that are appropriate for the position.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must have good written and communication skills, such as active listening, critical thinking and speaking.0
• Must have good time management and organizational skills.
• Must have good interpersonal skills with demonstrated patience, tact, and respect.
• Must have good detail and follow-up skills.
• Ability to effectively establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Must have good knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, rules, procedures and administration is required as it pertains to position.
• Must be able to prepare cases for court presentation.
• Must be knowledgeable in the use of Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft office products, Adobe Pro and database applications.
• Must have strong planning and program development skills with attention to detail and accuracy required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resources, Fisheries Management, Criminal Justice or related degree.
• Must have completed BIA Indian Police Academy and/or Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Certifiable.
• MCOLES certification preferred.
• Must become LEIN certified.
• Must have a valid Driver's License and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.
• Two years' experience working as a Conservation Game Warden preferred

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have completed BIA Indian Police Academy and/or Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Certifiable.
• Must become LEIN certified.
• Must complete a Supervisory Enforcement Officer Training course within one year of hire.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a valid and unrestricted Driver's License and appropriate endorsements for all vehicles.
• Must pass a Moving Violation Report (MVR) and be able to be insured by the Tribes driver insurance carrier.

OTHER INFORMATION

Federal Tax Exemption: 26 U.S.C. § 7873(a)(1) provides an exemption from federal income tax on income, including wages, derived by members of the Tribe in the exercise of a fishing rights-related activity of the Tribe. 26 U.S.C. § 7873(a)(2) provides an exemption from federal employment taxes, including FICA taxes, on wages paid to members of the Tribe for services performed in a fishing rights-related activity of the Tribe.

In accordance with the fishing rights-related tax exemption listed above, GTB has evaluated and determined that certain duties of this position will tax exempt. This percentage will be re-evaluated and examined on an annual basis to determine validity in the percentage.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBLITIES

Direct supervision of all Conservation Game Wardens

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

• Handcuffs Computer & Printer
• LEIN Terminal Photocopier
• Police Hand-held & Car Radio Cell Phone
• Guns/Handguns/Taser Vehicle mounted equipment
• FAX Machine Flashlights
• Dispatch Switchboard ORV/ATV
• Canoe 28' Patrol Boat with twin outboards
• 14' Jon Boats Snowmobiles

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to travel throughout the state of Michigan when required.
• Must be in full uniform or the uniform of the day as mandated by supervisor.
• Must maintain all equipment issued, clean vehicle after each shift or patrol if necessary.
• Must carry a cell phone/pager and be available on an on-call basis.
• Must qualify semi-annually with duty firearm.
• Must attend a minimum of forty (40) hours of local in-service training annually.
• Must be able to restrain, pursue (on foot) offenders.
• Must be able to assist in medical emergencies or rescue efforts.
• Must maintain and be in excellent physical condition.
• Must be able to lift heavy weight (confiscated gill nets) when necessary.
• Must be able to be in all kinds of weather conditions (rain, sleet, snow, sun, freezing conditions) including ice and snow conditions on lakes during winter patrol activities.
• Must perform duties in open water boating in calm to moderate heavy seas (4' to 6' waves).
• Must be able to back vehicles with boat and trailer to launching facilities.
• Must maneuver to docking areas for mooring and fueling purposes.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to qualify to operate the LEIN Terminal.
• Must be thoroughly familiar with all applicable policies and procedures, Federal Regulations, GTB Conservation Department Policies and Procedures, Consent Decrees, Inland Hunting and Fishing Regulations, and all other applicable rules, regulations and statutes.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of all departmental information at all times.
• Must be able to make decisions in enforcing federal and tribal law while on patrol and handling other complaints.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work occasionally outside in all weather conditions when applicable.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays when required.

COMMENTS

Native American Preference will apply. Must be able to pass a criminal history background investigation with no felonies or serious misdemeanors and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Must have a valid driver's license and be able to be insured with the Tribe. Adherence to strict company policy in regard to confidentiality is a must.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time through approved motion by Tribal Council. * Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources.

Current Openings for Chief Game Warden Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians