Benefits:

Health insurance
Paid time off
Wellness resources

Closes: 11/26/2026

Lieutenant Conservation Officer

Reports to: Chief of Police

Salary (Grade): $32.60/hr

Status: Reg. Full-Time (Non-Exempt)

Location: Wildlife and Parks Office in Winnebago, NE 68071

Job Purpose & Position Overview:

Implement Natural Resources Management and Conservation Law enforcement program to conserve, protect, and enhance the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and members of the Winnebago Indian Reservation. This Lead position will have supervisory duties over the department staff, specifically the Conservation Officer staff and others performing fieldwork within the department. This job also involves maintenance and upkeep of Big Bear Park and other areas. Work requires a variety of contact with other people and working right alongside other agencies, department, and other entities. The Conservation Officer will be responsible for developing the management plan and record keeping of the Buffalo Project. The Officer will also be involved in agriculture for the Wildlife and Parks Tribal Entities.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Demonstrates the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values.
Enforce the Winnebago Fish and Wildlife Code by making patrols, investigations, and issuing citations to prevent and prosecute violations under the Code.
Issue hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses.
Survey and inventory wildlife and natural resources making recommendations to the Winnebago Fish and wildlife commission to aid them in determining seasons, quotas, regulations, closed areas and changes or additions to the Tribal Code for hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Post signs restricting areas where wildlife may be taken, also signs indicating no hunting without permission.
Tag all wildlife taken and prepare monthly and annual statistical reports for short and long term planning and evaluation.
Make arrests for violations under Wildlife & Parks Code and assist in the prosecution of all violators of the Winnebago Wildlife & Parks Code as well as State and Federal Law. (Note: no person can make an arrest for prosecution in state and federal court without first completing a Basic Law Enforcement Training Program).
Implement prevention, safety, and education programs to prevent violations and accidents.
Supervise and direct the Wildlife and Parks Department staff, specifically the Conservation Officers and others performing fieldwork, including any contractors and/or contract related activities.
Develop and/or participate in training with natural resource management, conservation, and law enforcement.
Work with local, state, and federal agencies to fulfill contract objectives.
Organize public forums, develop literature/visual materials to communicate information regarding hunting and fishing and other natural issues.
Assist in research, negotiations, and litigation related to natural issues.
Work to develop additional funding to expand natural resources management and conservation programs.
Maintain all equipment and vehicles utilized under the Wildlife and Parks Department.
Maintenance and maintain litter control in all tribal parks and gathering places (equipment operated: mowers, chainsaws, weed eaters, etc.)
Build and repair picnic tables, benches, and playground equipment.
Work right alongside tribal facilities and tribal roads departments in litter control of reservation roads and properties.
Maintain upkeep of buffalo heard and pastures. Butcher, slaughter, and transport buffalo for processing. Maintain records on “Buffalo Nutritional Health” for the Tribal Health Programs.
Will enforce the Winnebago Tribal Code for the Animal Control Department.
Duties listed are only an illustration of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

Must have high school diploma or GED.
Must be 21 years of age.
Certified Law Enforcement Accreditation
No DUI convictions within the last 5 years.
No domestic violence convictions and/or history of domestic or family violence arrests and/or protection orders.
Must be of good moral and ethical character with the highest professionalism.
Must have basic knowledge of radio procedures and the ability to operate radio equipment.
Must acquire and retain law enforcement officer certification as a condition of employment.
Must be of good moral and ethical character with the highest professionalism.
Must have basic knowledge of radio procedures and the ability to operate radio equipment.
Must acquire and retain law enforcement officer certification as a condition of employment.
Must acquire and retain first-aid and CPR certification as well as operational knowledge of first-aid equipment.
Must be proficient in a variety of computer software programs and have basic operating knowledge of a variety of computers and office equipment.
Must have the ability to effectively handle situations and people with tact, courtesy, respect and objectivity and to recurrently employ moral and ethical judgements.
Must possess knowledge of law enforcement methods, procedures and techniques employed in law enforcement and pertaining to unarmed defense tactics, investigation of crime, traffic accidents, and crowd control.
Must have working knowledge of most recent applicable local, Tribal, State and Federal laws and ordinances; fish & game laws; jurisdictional laws; and rules and relationships of the tribe with local, State and Federal jurisdictions.
Must possess basic knowledge of the Constitutional protection afforded to individuals to include rules concerning search and seizure and questioning and arrests.
Must possess basic knowledge of the procedures for handling suspects.
Must have thorough operating knowledge of the difference between criminal and civil infractions.
Must have thorough operating knowledge of the difference between felonies and misdemeanors.
Must be skilled in interpreting and correctly applying laws, regulations, precedents, and other instructional or informational material to ensure proper apprehensions are made.
Must have basic knowledge of, and certification in, the use of all firearms operated while performing law enforcement duties.
Must maintain strict confidentiality, at all times, due to major access to sensitive information.
Must possess the ability to pass a federal background check and pre-employment drug screen and will be subject to random drug screening throughout tenure.
Must not have a felony conviction or major fish/wildlife conviction on record.
Must have 3-5 years’ experience in wildlife conservation, wildlife management, environmental science, forestry, criminal justice, law enforcement or related field.
Must possess general knowledge of Wildlife & Parks Management practices and enforcement procedures as well as Tribal, State, and Federal law as they pertain to Conservation Ordinances.
Must be certified in Hunter Safety and Bow Hunters Education through the state of Nebraska.
Must prepare and submit such scheduled reports as needed for effective management and operations of the program.
Must have 2-3 years of supervision and management experience.
Must have a valid driver’s license and must be able to meet driver’s eligibility guidelines.
Must have good work habits.
Must be able to lift 75+ pounds.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Will supervise Departmental Staff.

Training Requirements:

Must be willing to attend meetings and training as requested.

Physical Requirements:

Normal to Heavy work which includes the ability to lift 75+ lbs.
While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen.
The Lead Conservation Officer is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time and use hand (and feet) to operate computer equipment, radio equipment, phone, firearms, and vehicles.
Manual dexterity with cooperatively free range of motion of all extremities including neck, fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, arms, shoulder, waist, legs, hips, knee joints, ankles, and feet is required.
While performing daily duties, the Conservation Officer is regularly required to (without aid) talk, hear, smell, and taste.
The Conservation Officer will frequently be subject to physical exertion involving standing, walking, and running which require sustained and considerable strength and endurance.

Mental Requirements:

Reading, writing, calculating
Above average social interaction skills
Reasoning/Analysis
Ability to work as part of a team and/or with minimal to no supervision.

Language Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

Work Environment:

The environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations including physical attack or attack with deadly weapons. Both indoor and outdoor assignments are involved with frequent prolonged exposure to inclement weather conditions. The Lead Conservation Officer may be required to work extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays with rotating shifts and duty stations. Assignments are subject to change without notice.
There is ever present danger of injury and/or death from physical assault or accident in the line of duty.

Certificates, Licenses & registrations:

All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.
If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.
Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

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