Conservation Officer Service

Careers

Conservation Officer, Field Operations

The following education and work experience requirements may vary slightly, without notification on this website, according to the position being filled.

Preferred Education

Preferred education is defined as a university degree or technical diploma from a recognized post-secondary program, in natural resources law enforcement or renewable resources management (e.g. fisheries, wildlife, forestry, environmental sciences). Applicants with a degree require a minimum of 12 months preferred work experience while applicants with a diploma require a minimum of 36 months.

Preferred Work Experience

Preferred work experience in the field of natural resource law enforcement includes:

• Conducting inspections to monitor compliance with statutes, regulations and standards
• Investigations of non-compliance with statutes, regulations and standards
• Enforcement actions (e.g. issuance of tickets, recommendations for charges and/or administrative penalties or sanctions)

Note: For any given vacancy, a COS selection panel may limit the number of applicants who are short-listed to those individuals who satisfy both the preferred education and work experience requirements (see above).

Minimum Education

Minimum education requirements are defined as a university degree or technical diploma, from a recognized post-secondary program in law, justice or criminology. Applicants with a degree require at least 12 months of preferred and/or minimum work experience while applicants with a diploma require at least 36 months.

Minimum Work Experience

Minimum work experience involves employment with a municipal, provincial or federal agency and includes:

• Conducting inspections to monitor compliance with statutes, regulations and standards
• Investigations of non-compliance with statutes, regulations and standards
• Enforcement actions (e.g. issuance of tickets, recommendations for charges and/or administrative penalties or sanctions).

Candidates with a Grade 12 diploma may also be considered if they have a minimum of 60 months preferred work experience (as defined in the preferred work experience section above).

Physical Fitness

A variety of aerobic/ anaerobic fitness skills are required to perform many of a Conservation Officer's duties safely and effectively. Examples of these attributes include whole body muscular strength, balance, agility, and flexibility. To ensure that applicants are physically fit, they must be able to complete the Pre-employment Physical Abilities Test for Conservation Officers (PATCO).

Additionally, successful candidates must pass a pre-placement medical exam before an offer of employment can be confirmed.

Character

In order to uphold the public trust invested in their position, Conservation Officers must possess

• Exemplary moral character
• A high degree of personal integrity
• Sound judgment, maturity and common sense

To establish evidence of good character and qualify as a Conservation Officer and Special Provincial Constable, applicants must submit to a criminal records check, security interview and background investigation and a psychological assessment.

Licenses / Certifications

The following are conditions that must be met prior to employment:

• Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence without restrictions or contraventions
• Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level 1 or equivalent
• Canada Firearms Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) or Possession-Only License (POL)
• Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Other Requirements

Before an offer of employment is made, successful applicants must agree to the terms and conditions of the Conservation Officer Willingness Statement and Standards of Personal Deportment Agreement.

Please view the following job description for a complete list of duties and qualifications for Conservation Officer positions.

Entry-Level Requirements

• Conservation Officer, Field Operations [pdf]
• Seasonal Employment Program [pdf]
• Field Supervisor [pdf]

Post-Secondary Education

The following are some of the post-secondary institutions that offer specialized training in natural resources law enforcement:

• Malaspina-University College, Nanaimo, BC
• Lethbridge Community College, Lethbridge, AB
• Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Prince Albert, SK
• Fleming College, Lindsay, ON

Many other institutions offer training in renewable resource management or other relevant fields of study. If you would like to inquire about the applicability of a post-secondary program, please email the Conservation Officer Service at: Conservation.Officer.Service@gov.bc.ca