How to Become a Conservation Officer in Illinois
Conservation officers in Illinois work for the Department of Natural Resources to protect and preserve the state's natural resources. Conservation officers have full police authority and are required to complete an extensive training program to secure a permanent appointment.
In addition, conservation officers serve as a crucial link between the DNR and the public, educating people about the laws and the importance of conserving natural resources. Conservation officers also respond to emergencies and work with government or private rescue operations. Those seeking to become a conservation officer will need to have a college degree and make it through a rigorous selection process.
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Instructions
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Graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, conservation or criminal justice. Students can expect to take courses in criminal law, social behavior, biology, sociology, psychology and natural resource conservation. One school offering such a program with regional accreditation is the University of Illinois. A variety of community colleges in the state have such programs as well.
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Apply for a position with the DNR. Applicants fill out and submit a Department of Central Management Services employment application (see Resources) and return it to the address listed at the top of the application.
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Pass a written exam. All applicants meeting state qualifications receive an invitation to take the exam. The written test measures observation and memory; communication skills; writing skills; public relations skills; and reading comprehension. Applicants who pass the written exam are placed on the eligibility list and move on to the next part of the selection process.
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Pass the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report-- the “POWER” test. Applicants selected from the eligibility list travel to Springfield to take this physical test. It measures cardiovascular fitness with a 1.5-mile run; strength with bench presses; flexibility with a sit-and-reach exercise; and muscular endurance with one minute of sit-ups.
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Attend an oral interview that assesses communication skills, abilities, knowledge and qualifications.
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Pass a swim test. Candidates must swim 200 yards continuously using a breaststroke or a front crawl, tread water for three minutes and dive 10 feet deep to retrieve an object.
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Pass the required background check. The DNR conducts an extensive background check that includes criminal history, employment history and interviews with relatives and associates.
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Pass a psychological and medical examination. The psychological examination involves an interview with a psychologist to determine emotional stability. The medical examination assesses a candidate's overall health. Those with heart problems or medical conditions that hinder mobility may be disqualified from employment.
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Graduate from the basic law enforcement training course and the Conservation Police Officer Trainee Course. The basic course prepares trainees for peace enforcement by teaching skills in human behavior, Illinois criminal law, investigations, patrolling, police proficiency and traffic enforcement. The course lasts 400 hours over 10 weeks.
The Conservation Police Officer Trainee Course prepares candidates to work as a conservation officer. Trainees learn skills in wildlife management, hunting and fishing laws and enforcement, and licensing and permit issuance. The course lasts 450 hours over 12 weeks.
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Earn permanent appointment as a conservation officer. All officers graduating from the trainee program remain are considered trainees for 12 months and then serve for four more months on probation. After that, if they have performed well, trainees are promoted to conservation officer.
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Tips & Warnings
In addition to enforcement, conservation officers may also speak to audiences at civic clubs, hunting and sporting clubs, and schools. Students should take public speaking courses in college to prepare for this part of the job.
A felony conviction disqualifies a candidate from employment as a conservation officer in Illinois.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wildlife grid image by Wouter Tolenaars from Fotolia.com
