Conservation Officer

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the District Sergeant, this position will be responsible for public safety and natural resources (e.g., water and environment) conservation activities on Crown land including Provincial Parks, protected areas, vacant public land, occupied public land (e.g., grazing leases, disposition sites), and public-accessible water bodies.

Through the provision of education, prevention, public safety, and enforcement, Conservation Officers conserve and protect Alberta's natural resources and Crown lands while ensuring Albertans and visitors are safe and comply with relevant legislation while recreating in the province.

They are also responsible for planning and executing day-to-day field operations within an assigned district and management area. 

To be successful in this position, you must have a solid understanding of applicable provincial and federal legislation, inclusive leadership skills, and demonstrate progressive problem solving with a solutions-based mindset. 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. Your strong oral and written communication skills will be used in developing, maintaining, and fostering collaborative working relationships with stakeholders and other law enforcement agencies both internal and external to the Government of Alberta.

Check out this video to see a snapshot of one of our officers engaging one of the many duties conservation officers perform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7waSBlWTjY
and check out this link to learn more: https://www.alberta.ca/conservation-officers. 

Responsibilities include but not limited to:
•    Delivering prompt and effective response to public complaints and issues encountered on patrol, which can be on complex and changing landscapes, such as remote back country areas, working with diverse populations of clients/Albertans, utilizing solution-based conflict management skills, judgement, problem-solving, education, and enforcement actions.
•    Initiating, leading, and/or liaising with other law enforcement agencies in emergency responses (e.g., missing persons, provincial disasters, body recovery, severe weather events).
•    Delivering human-wildlife conflict programs within the districts as requested, providing emergency human-wildlife attack response, and utilizing specialized weapons and tactics to alleviate risk to public safety.
•    Supporting Fish and Wildlife Stewardship through activities associated with monitoring recreational and subsistence fishing and hunting, commercial fur, and fish harvests.
•    Actively promoting Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S).
•    Contributing to district planning, strategy development, and the development of operational plans that reflect both local priorities and ministry objectives by providing specialized knowledge for district specific issues.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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.

Build Collaborative Environments: Works with various program streams including Parks, and Fish and Wildlife to resolve issues and conflict on Public Lands and in Alberta Parks. Collaborates with external law enforcement agencies to work towards a common goal while representing the priorities of the ministry.

Creative Problem-Solving: Investigates to fully understand an issue. Works with others to gain perspective and ideas to make decisions to implement long-term solutions.

Agility: Anticipates, adapts to, and understands the changing work environment while staying calm during high stress situations.

Systems Thinking: Considers the short term and long-term impacts on stakeholders while making a decision. Aware of the potential unintended consequences of decisions during day-to-day field operations.

Drive for Results: Understands and acknowledges the impact of actions on themselves and others, adjusts behavior as needed to obtain different results.

Qualifications

Required: 
•    A completed two-year diploma in Natural Resources, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Political Science or a related field.
•    Minimum 4 years of related experience in regulatory, compliance, law enforcement and/or conservation. 

Equivalencies may be considered: Additional related education considered in lieu of experience based on a one year of experience for one year of education.

The goal of this recruitment is to fill this position at the Natural Resources 7 level. However, candidates with lesser qualifications and experience may be considered at a lower classification and salary.  

Additional Requirements: 
•    A valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent).
•    Current Defensive driving certificate.
•    Valid Standard First Aid certification.
•    Level C CPR (Adult, Child, Infant).
•    Current Driver's Abstract demonstrating a driving history suitable for employment as a Conservation Officer.
•    Current Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
•    Visual, Auditory and Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation Fitness (PARE) test (pass time is 4 minutes or less).

Assets
•    Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Natural Resource Management, Natural Science or Law Enforcement.
•    Training certifications established for conservation officers, including firearms and control tactics.
•    Outdoor skills and experience in outdoor activities (navigation skills, backcountry travel, working alone).
•    Experience managing and handling various wildlife/animals.
•    Experience with watercraft, off-highway vehicles, and snowmobiles.
•    Knowledge of several Provincial and Federal acts and regulations including, but not limited to: Criminal Code of Canada, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Fisheries (Alberta) Act, Fisheries Act (Federal), Forest and Prairies Protection Act, Forest Reserves Act, Forests Act, Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, Historical Resources Act, Petty Trespass Act, Provincial Offences Procedure Act, Provincial Parks Act, Public Lands Act, Traffic Safety Act, Wildlife Act and the Wilderness Area, Ecological Reserves, and Heritage Rangelands Act.

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

This competition will be used to fill various Conservation Officer positions across Alberta. 

7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week including working weekends, shift work, and standby shift times, on a year-round basis.

This position may require 24/7 response and/or consultation to Emergency call-out in all weather conditions.

As part of the selection process, candidates who certify in the interview will be required to successfully complete a PARE test, vision and auditory assessment, psychological assessment, criminal records check with vulnerable sector screening and an enhanced security screening. It is highly recommended that candidates be informed of PARE test availability in their respective locations as PARE test slots can be in short supply. If availably is low, candidates should consider pre-booking to ensure a test will be available to them.

Candidates must successfully complete all of the above-mentioned requirements prior to being offered a position. Candidates will be required to successfully complete a 4-month in-service Induction Training Program and an 8 month in-district Field Training Program. Candidates must be eligible for and receive an Alberta Peace Officer and Conservation Officer appointment.

Any costs associated with obtaining required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.
 

Notes Continued

Instructions for your Resume:

For Employment Experience:
Please indicate duration of employment (month, year).
Please specify employment status (i.e. casual, part time or full time).
Example: Administrator, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part time (three, 8 hour shifts/week).

For any Post-Secondary Education:
Please specify your major and length of program.
Please specify the year you graduated.
Example: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

What the GoA has to offer:

•    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/alberta-public-service-human-resource-directives.
•    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 agreements.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.

Resources for Applicants:
•    https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx.
•    https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/.