Marine Deputy

DEPARTMENT: Sheriff
SUPERVISOR: Marine Sergeant
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None
EXEMPT STATUS: Non-exempt
LAST REVISION: April 2022

Job Scope

Summary: Performs daily patrol on waterways throughout the County. Responds to calls for service,
investigates crimes & boat accidents, arrest suspected violators, conducts boat safety inspections, and
renders aid to injured people. Position enforces applicable state and local laws while educating the public
on boating and waterway safety. These tasks are accomplished through a balanced approach of law
enforcement, boater safety education, search and rescue, and other emergency and community services.



Other Information: Incumbent performs work that involves a wide variety of work situations that
encompass a moderate degree of complexity due to the changing situations encountered. Incumbent
typically works under specific and definite directions and well-known procedures. Work requires the
exercise of initiative, independent judgment and discretion insofar as incumbent applies standards and
procedures to routine situations. Incumbent regularly interacts with supervisor while receiving periodic
supervision. Communicates with others both inside and outside the organization. Internal communication
typically involves engagement with coworkers and supervisors, while external communications are with a
variety of members of the public. Impact is usually moderate but the potential for significant impact on
those to whom the incumbent engages with in an enforcement capacity or when responding to calls for
emergency services. Errors in judgment and performance may have significant impact to the County’s
reputation and to the personal well-being of the incumbent, coworkers, and members of the public. Work
is generally performed outdoors, which may involve regular exposure to weather and dangerous conditions
while engaged in normal patrol or emergency response activities. Travel is regular, not typically extending
beyond the County.

Essential Functions



The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities which are not
listed in any particular order of priority and may be amended or added to by the County at any time:

. Performs daily marine patrol to identify boaters in violation of Coast Guard Inland Rules of the
Road, the Idaho Safe Boating Act, and county ordinances. Performs vessel safety inspections.
Travels throughout assigned area to look for criminal activity. Provides assistance as needed to
members of the public with which the incumbent comes into contact.

. Responds to calls and issues citations and/or makes arrests as needed as it relates to applicable
violation of state and local laws or County codes. Enforces Boating Under the Influence (BUI),
Inland Rules of the Road and other laws. Responds to crime scenes, secures locations, and
conducts investigations as necessary. Apprehends suspects and other individuals as deemed
necessary at the time of response.

. Answers calls for service as directed by dispatch or as needed. Assesses situations, determines

appropriate course of action, mitigates circumstances within proscribed policies and procedures,
and calls for backup as needed. Abides by principles and regulations of safety to ensure safe
conditions for the officer, other employees, and members of the public.

. Responds to non-emergency calls on Bonner County waterways as requested by members of the
community and as dispatched by Bonner Communications. Reviews circumstances and
determines appropriate course of action to answer questions or mitigate the situation.

. Conducts investigations as required and properly documents findings in appropriate reports.

Investigations include, but are not limited to, boating accidents, fires, violations of the Coast Guard
Inland Rules of the Road, the Idaho Code to include the Safe Boating Act, and county ordinances,

. Assists in investigations as directed by supervisor or detective to assess criminal causes and
identify offenders.

. May serve as a trainer over a specific specialty or expertise (e.g., outboard engine maintenance,

patrol boat operations).

. Assist specialty teams by responding to hazardous materials, water rescue, search and rescue and
other emergency response situations on or near county waterway as directed or assigned.

. Appears before District and/or Magistrate judges as required for court testimony as an expert
witness or as related to cases wherein the incumbent has pertinent information. Must provide
accurate testimony in such cases as incumbent represents the credibility of the Sheriff’s
Department in his/her testimony.

. Completes the proper documentation of activities that take place during the course of each shift.

Takes special notes of unusual incidents and ensures that supervisor is notified in a timely manner.
Maintains all necessary statistical information related to incidents and responses.

. Performs boat safety activities for a variety of community organizations. Performs waterways

surveys within the community in order to assess potential dangers and to make recommendations
to prevent criminal activity or to improve public safety.

. Participates in a variety of community engagement programs as assigned. May serve as a boating

safety instructor and provide classes throughout the county as necessary.

. Maintains adequate levels of training as required by state POST (Peace Officers Standards and
Training).

. Compiles marine patrol related data and inputs into written reports and/or computer databases for

tracking and record keeping purposes. Completes regular reports regarding accidents and citations
for Coast Guard, State Parks and Recreation, and other agencies as needed.

. Maintains all department marine equipment. Tows trailered vessels and launches same in various

county waterways. May operate personal watercraft, small boats, or large patrol vessels.

Secondary Functions

. May serve on a specialty team as assigned. May include Marine Accident Investigation, Outboard

Engine Mechanic, Dive Team, Search and Rescue support, or other specialty area.

. Maintains knowledge and awareness of legal changes pertaining to public safety policies, marine
regulations and procedures.

. Serves on call as needed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. May also be required to work extra hours,
on weekends and holidays.

. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

. Sufficient combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities so as to competently perform the essential

functions of the job. High school diploma or equivalent is required. Post-high school education, prior
experience in law enforcement or as a first responder, and/or experience operating boats is highly
desired.

. Requires successful completion of the POST Marine Deputy certification within first year of

employment.. Must possess current driver’s license valid in the state of Idaho[DM1], with a good driving record and. Requires annual firearms certification.

. Incumbent should possess basic swimming skills.. Knowledge of and ability to use basic computer (PC) functions as needed for dispatching,

communication, record keeping, and reports.

. Ability to assess and adapt to a wide variety of circumstances and situations wherein the incumbent
must operate and make decisions quickly and independently.

. Ability to proficiently use firearms for self-defense purposes.

. Ability to work with members of the public possessing a wide variety of opinions, personalities, and

behaviors. Ability to assess behavior and modify actions accordingly to ensure appropriate safety and
security of the public.

. Ability to perform physical requirements needed to accomplish the essential functions of the job,

including the ability to physically defend oneself or others, and subdue subjects as needed. May require
the ability to control multiple subjects, traverse precarious footing, hike short distances, and all other
physical activities typical of performing the essential functions.

. Knowledge of basic math skills sufficient to complete reports, payroll records, and maintain statistical

information.. Ability to read and comprehend general instructions, write simple correspondence, and present

information in front of a small group as well as one-on-one.. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action.. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Most communication is made in a face-to-

face settings with some written communication required for report writing and other paperwork.. Ability to develop and maintain harmonious working relationships with others both inside and outside

the organization.

Working Conditions

Incumbent must possess the ability to perform physical activities necessary to complete the essential
functions of the job either with or without reasonable accommodation. Requires frequent standing and
walking. Exposure to carriers of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV virus and hepatitis, explosive devices
that are intended to maim or kill, and handling seized controlled substances which may be mind-altering or
addictive. Subjects encountered during investigations are frequently armed, dangerous, and may be under
the influence of drugs, thereby subjecting incumbents to grave risk of physical harm on a frequent basis.
Requires continuous hearing and talking, frequent physical activities, and regular climbing, crouching,
walking, fingering, balancing, and crawling. Requires occasional pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying weights
over 50 pounds, grasping, stooping, running, standing, and all other physical requirements of the job.
Requires good vision. Requires continual travel within the local area and may involve night work and
activities in extreme weather conditions in addition to hazardous water environments.

Physical Ability Requirements

Marine Deputies have unique job functions, some of which can be physically demanding. An officer’s
capability to perform those functions can affect personal and public safety. Physical fitness underlies and
predicts an officer’s readiness to perform the frequent and critical job tasks demanded. Higher levels of
readiness/fitness are associated with better performance of physical job tasks required of Idaho law
enforcement officers.