Conservation Officer

Role Responsibilities

An exciting opportunity is available for interested individuals through this experienced officer recruitment process.  If you are currently or recently employed as a peace officer, working in the field of natural resources law enforcement, and are passionate about conservation and protection of Alberta’s natural resources and Crown lands, then this opportunity if for you. 
 

The Environmental Enforcement Branch of Alberta Forestry, Parks and Tourism is inviting applications for multiple conservation officer positions across Alberta. Frontline conservation enforcement positions are both exciting and challenging. Conservation officers are armed peace officers and who operate in diverse environments throughout the entire year, including remote backcountry patrols and dynamic front-country operations utilizing 4X4 trucks, watercraft, off-highway vehicles, horses, and aircraft.
 

Under the direction of a sergeant, conservation officers are tasked with daily field operations in an assigned district with responsibilities on all Crown lands. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Resource protection
• Public education
• Compliance and enforcement
• Human-wildlife conflict prevention
• Public safety
   

To be successful in one of these positions you must currently or recently be employed as a peace officer, working in the field of natural resources law enforcement.  You must have successfully completed a recognized employer provided natural resources law enforcement-based induction training program, including certification in related firearm and subject control skills.  
 

You must have a passion for the environment, commitment to public service, inclusive leadership skills, and demonstrate progressive problem solving with a solutions-based mindset. Your strong oral and written communication skills will be used in developing, maintaining, and fostering collaborative working relationships with interest groups, stakeholders, and other law enforcement agencies both internal and external to the Government of Alberta. Lastly, the ability to work both independently and as part of a team while demonstrating the Alberta Public Service values of respect, integrity, accountability, and excellence in everything you do is essential to your success. 
 

If you are interested in being part of this unique and highly professional law enforcement team, we encourage you to apply!
 

Check out this video to see a snapshot of one of our newest officers engaging one of the many duties conservation officers perform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7waSBlWTjY.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
 

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.
 

Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience and work effectively in changing environments. 
 

Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
 

Systems Thinking: Work done is part of a larger integrated and inner-related environment. Allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
 

Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with stakeholders.
 

Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively.
 

Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability. 
 

Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with stakeholders. 

Qualifications

Required:

• Current or recent employment as a peace officer, working directly in the field of natural resources law enforcement.
• Must have successfully completed a recognized employer provided natural resources law enforcement induction training program, including certification in related issued firearms.
• A degree or applied degree in conservation/natural resource law enforcement, criminal justice/police science, biology/ecology, or related field plus 12 months of related experience is required or 
• A two-year diploma in conservation/natural resource law enforcement, criminal justice/police science, biology/ecology, or related field plus 36 months of related experience is required.

Equivalency: Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of: one year of experience for one year of education or one year of education for one year of experience.

Candidates who do not meet the educational and experience requirements may be considered at lower classification and salary.

Assets: 

• Additional directly related experience in conservation, natural resource management, law enforcement, or related fields.
• Experience in the delivery of in-service training programs.
• Experience if the delivery of public education programming. 
• Experience and understanding of legal principles, practices, and court systems. 
• Experience with watercraft, off-highway vehicles, and snowmobiles.
• Certification in advanced wilderness first-aid.
• Experience in remote back country travel.

Additional certifications and required standards (note details in “How to Apply”):  

• P.A.R.E. physical test (pass time is 4 minutes or less)
• Valid Standard First Aid 
• Valid CPR - Level C (Adult, Child, Infant)
• Valid Class 5 Driver's License
• Current Driver's Abstract demonstrating a driving history suitable for employment as a conservation officer.
• Current Defensive Driving Certificate 
• Current Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening 
•  

Applicants will be required to undergo vision and auditory assessment as well as psychological testing prior to any offers of employment.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours of work per week, including working weekends, shift work, and standby shift times, on a year-round basis.  
 

Candidates must be able to:

• perform physically strenuous work, including lifting heavy weights, strenuous training, etc.
• walk over uneven terrain for long distances.  
• work in poor environmental weather conditions 
• respond to urgent calls for service in all conditions.
   

Candidates who do not meet the educational and experience requirements may be considered at lower classification and salary.
 

The resume should provide specific examples that demonstrate how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements and competencies. Your resume must include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Please also indicate if your work was full-time, part-time, or contract.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages- working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx 
•  Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs