Marine Patrol Officer

Marine Patrol Officer

A bureau of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Maine Marine Patrol provides law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime security, and public safety services on Maine's coastal tidal waters.

Today's Patrol Officer is instilled with the same philosophy that guided "Wardens" 100 years ago, which is to be impartial, and to work in close cooperation with fishermen, businesses, and residents of Maine's coastal communities.

The Maine Marine Patrol is the law enforcement Bureau of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Officers with the Maine Marine Patrol are certified law enforcement officers for the State of Maine with full authority to enforce all criminal statues statewide. MPOs focus their enforcement efforts on Marine Resource and boat law violations on all tidal waters and within coastal communities of the State. MPOs are also deputized by the National Marine Fisheries Service to enforce Federal Fisheries regulations through a Joint Enforcement Agreement with NOAA.

Marine Patrol Officers live and work in the communities they serve. By building relationships with both commercial and recreational users, MPOs embody the concept of Community Policing within the Marine Resource community. MPOs patrol shellfish harvest areas, fishing docks and wharfs, wholesale and retail dealers, boat launches and marinas, seafood trucks, and tidal rivers and streams while shoreside. MPOs patrol aboard watercraft from "head of tide" in Maine's rivers seaward into the Gulf of Maine checking commercial and recreational fishing vessels and harvester's catches and equipment, conducting boating safety equipment and operation checks, providing maritime security and law enforcement, as well as performing search and rescue operations.

Marine Patrol Officers are assigned geographic patrol areas along the coast and at times are responsible to be on call 24 hours a day. MPOs work outside all year and are exposed to all the weather conditions coastal Maine has to offer. MPOs are issued 4-wheel drive pick-up trucks, laptop computers, cell phones, and utilize a variety of watercraft from 12 to 57 feet in length, as well as aircraft to patrol coastal Maine.

Qualified Veterans can receive regular Marine Patrol Officer rate of pay and benefits as well as Veteran's Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH Benefits) for up to 24 months while you train to become a Marine Patrol Officer. For more info contact Program Manager – Pilot Steve Ingram at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io

This is investigative and protective services work involving the enforcement of marine resource conservation law, rules, regulations, and other laws within the jurisdiction of the Maine Marine Patrol. Responsibilities include patrolling an assigned coastal area by land, aboard patrol vessels, and aircraft, protecting marine resources, coastal property, and the public; enforcing applicable laws; and investigating complaints and incidents.

In order to qualify, you must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• be at least 21 years old by the time of appointment to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy -OR- can be only 20 years old and have completed an associate's degree or 60 credit hours of post-secondary education.
• have successfully passed the Maine Criminal Justice Academy's Physical Fitness Test (PFT) within the past year; (see below for scheduling)
• Candidates must have no criminal or extensive motor vehicle record. Proof of age (e.g. legible copy of birth certificate or driver's license) and a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent MUST accompany your application.
• have or be able to obtain a valid Maine Class C motor vehicle operator's license;
• MPOs are responsible for identifying buoy colors in order to work cases and testify in court proceedings.

Maine Marine Patrol Officers are required to attend the MCJA Basic Law Enforcement Officer Training Program; an 18-week training session required of all full-time certified law enforcement officers in Maine. The current BLETP entrance requirement, as well as additional information on the curriculum, can be found on the Maine Department of Public Safety's MCJA website HERE.

Because of the responsibilities and authority of a Marine Patrol Officer, the examination and selection process is extensive and thorough. The complete testing process consists of multiple evaluation phases.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Observes and checks activities, licenses, permits and catches of commercial fishermen, processors, and wholesale and retail seafood dealers including stopping trucks and vehicles engaged in interstate and intrastate commerce in order to enforce the law.
• Operates a patrol boat along the coast, investigates boating accidents, and conducts search and rescue operations for drowning victims, missing persons, and lost boats in order to perform patrol duties and protect people and property.
• Inspects both commercial fishing and recreational boats for proper safety equipment, compliance with boating regulations and licenses.
• Works commercial activity at wharves and boat landings where this activity is prevalent.
• Issues warnings, makes arrest, gathers evidence, and testifies in court in order to enforce laws, rules, and regulations, as well as assist in the prosecution of offenders.
• Confers with the federal, state, county, local enforcement, and conservation agencies in order to coordinate activities and provide assistance.
• Investigates complaints, observes incidents of law violation, and other problems in order to further marine resource conservation, protect property, and foster good public relations.
• Patrols and visits clam flats, brooks, streams, and salmon rivers in order to check for illegal fishing, harvest, and catches, or unlicensed operations.
• Administers assistance and first aid when necessary to accident victims.
• Completes and submits required reports and paperwork.
• Remains updated on current training techniques and opportunities.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to and enforced by the Department
• Knowledge of the departmental policies and standard operating procedures
• Knowledge of search and rescue methods and techniques
• Knowledge of the equipment and gear used in coastal fishing and recreational boating
• Knowledge of fish and marine life and their environment and habits in Maine coastal waters
• Ability to qualify with and maintain firearms
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to use and maintain patrol equipment
• Ability to work without immediate supervision
• Ability to endure strenuous physical activity often over difficult terrain or in adverse weather
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the fishing community
• Ability to quickly assess available facts and make sound decisions

Benefits:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes at least 19.89 % of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child, including fathers and adoptive parents, receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b)