Conservation Officers are uniformed field staff who are responsible for protecting our environment and making sure natural resources like fish and wildlife are used wisely. While the primary role of a Conservation Officer is law enforcement - they have the authority of police officers - Conservation Officers promote compliance with environmental legislation through public education, public awareness and public involvement and monitoring resource users.. Conservation officers often work outdoors, frequently in isolated and wilderness locations. Conservation officers enforce federal and provincial/territorial laws established to protect fish, wildlife and other natural resources. They use several forms of transportation to patrol different areas including lakes, mountains, streams, marshland.

Skills and knowledge beneficial to a Conservation Officer include:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Operation of boats, ATV's, snowmobiles
• Small engine repair
• Capable of working for extended periods of time without direct supervision.
• Sufficient physical stamina and endurance to negotiate rugged terrain in all weather conditions
• Considerable oral, interpersonal, written and computer skills to perform the tasks associated with the job.
• Strong organizational skills
• Valid drivers license
• Excellent investigation skills

Other requirements for employment include:

• psychological compatibility with the law enforcement role
  Clear criminal record
  physically fit and able to meet defensive tactics and firearms qualification standards
• Education requirements:
• High school diploma including Biology 30, English 30 Chemistry 20, Social Studies 30 and Math 30
• Completion of a 2 year integrated resource management diploma that includes a law enforcement component.

Post Secondary Education programs

• SIAST Woodland Campus, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
• Lethbridge Community College, Lethbridge, Alberta
• Lakeland College, Vermillion, Alberta
• Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo, British Columbia
• Keewatin College, The Pas, Manitoba
• Sir Sandord Fleming School of Environmental and natural Resource Sciences. Lindsay, Ontario

Top of Page