NPS Essential Competencies: 2crinvst.htm

Essential Competencies

Criminal Investigators (CI) serve in over fifty federal agencies, including the National Park Service (NPS). Within the NPS they inquire into serious crimes against people, resources, and property. A CI (GS-1811), given the NPS's specific resources management mandate as well as their previous career path to this point, will probably have a widespread resource knowledge base, built upon college level academic study in the natural and/or cultural sciences, as an underpinning of their skills.

Criminal Investigators, having evolved from experienced, journeyman Park Rangers (GS-025), will be specialized, highly focused senior members of the NPS law enforcement community.

Almost the total measurement of the CI's professionally acceptable progression--from entry through journeyman levels--will be reflected in how well the individual moves into and along in this investigative mode.

ENTRY LEVEL

Description: National Park Service CI's will only come from journeyman-level Park Rangers (025) who have an interest and aptitude for advanced criminal investigative work. A person, if an area has a demonstrated need and position, will only first qualify as a CI upon graduation from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR TRAINING PROGRAM.

Since a CI has served at least several years as a seasoned, journeyman-level Park Ranger, the overall expectations of an Entry Level Criminal Investigator will be high. Initially, work will be performed under the close supervision of the park's Chief Ranger; there will also be an overall scrutiny by senior, outside NPS law enforcement professionals who will have more specific, indepth knowledge of the competencies required of a CI.

DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform as a Developmental-Level CI. Work is performed under supervision with an emphasis on the continued development of both basic and intermediate work skills.

I. Comprehension of Park Resources

A. Inventorying

B. Monitoring

C. Planning

1. Vulnerability

2. Counter Measures

II. Knowledge of Laws and Regulations

A. Federal

1. Resource laws (eg. ARPA, NEPA, ESA, etc.)

2. Other laws specific to area (eg. minerals)

B. State

1. Resource laws

2. Revised code

3. Other laws specific to area (eg. oil/gas)

C. Local

III. Knowledge of Law Enforcement Function

A. Investigative Skills (advanced)

1. Behavioral

2. Enforcement Operations

3. Legal

4. Security Specialties

5. Firearms

6. Physical Techniques

7. Interviewing

B. Electronic

C. Computer Usage

1. NCIC

2. NBRS

IV. Emergency Operations

A. Incident Command

(will serve at level obtained as Journeyman Ranger)

B. Accidents

1. Tools and Equipment

2. Determining Cause

V. People Skills

A. External Relations

B. Internal Relations

C. Public Education

D. Goal Setting

E. Decision Making

ADVANCED LEVEL

Description: These competencies identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform as a full, Journeyman-Level CI. Work is performed under loose supervision, generally with only oral and written instructions.