Conservation Officer / NR Spec 2 CO

Location: Various locations across Minnesota

Telework eligible: No

Full-time, regular position

Salary range: $38.06 - $52.06 per hour

About the role

As a Conservation Officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, you will play a critical role in protecting Minnesota’s natural resources and ensuring public safety. This position involves law enforcement, public education, and compliance monitoring related to hunting, fishing, recreational vehicles, and commercial natural resource operations. Conservation Officers work variable hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, often using patrol vehicles, snowmobiles, ATVs, or watercraft to cover assigned areas.

Responsibilities

• Enforce state and federal laws related to game and fish, recreational vehicles, and natural resource commercial operations.
• Ensure public safety, particularly regarding alcohol use while hunting or operating recreational vehicles and watercraft.
• Monitor compliance with hunting and fishing seasons, methods of taking animals and fish, and possession limits.
• Protect the state’s land, air, and water resources.
• Conduct youth and adult safety training, including hunter education classes.
• Respond to emergencies, apprehend suspects, and use force—including deadly force—when justified by law.
• Work independently or as part of a team in adverse weather and environmental conditions.
• Maintain professionalism, courtesy, and public trust in all interactions.

Training

• Selected candidates will attend a 15-week training academy at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota, with onsite lodging required Monday through Friday.
• Following the academy, candidates must complete 16 weeks of field training under the supervision of an experienced Conservation Officer.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid Minnesota Peace Officer’s License or be eligible for licensure by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (POST) by November 16, 2026.
• Alternatively, must have completed basic police training and be certified as a full-time peace officer in a state or federal agency with reciprocity in Minnesota, and pass the POST Board reciprocity exam by November 16, 2026.
• Resume must clearly reflect POST certification or the anticipated licensure date if not currently licensed.
• Interest in outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, ATV riding, snowmobiling, or water recreation.
• Ability to work unusual, varying shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Willingness to perform duties in adverse weather and environmental conditions.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to crises, emergencies, and threats to public safety.
• Strong observational, analytical, and communication skills, including the ability to interpret and enforce laws.
• Must be able to act independently, exercise discretion, and maintain professional relationships.
• No felony or gross misdemeanor convictions in Minnesota or equivalent convictions in other jurisdictions.
• No serious natural resource violations, crimes involving moral turpitude, or two or more alcohol-related driving violations in the past ten years.
• No DWI, reckless or careless driving, or other serious driving violations within the last five years.
• Must pass a general written exam to proceed in the selection process.

Additional Requirements

• Unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.
• Must meet physical requirements and environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
• Must pass oral interviews, a comprehensive background investigation, medical evaluation, functional capacity exam, and psychological evaluation.
• Must not have been disqualified from a previous Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer background investigation within the past 60 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary education focused on Natural Resources or a bachelor’s/advanced degree in any field.
• Participation in a natural resources-related internship.
• Volunteer experience at the Conservation Officer Academy.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Fertility care, including IVF, and diabetes care.
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children.
• 6 weeks of paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children.
• Pension plan providing retirement income after three years of service.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care.
• Training, classes, and professional development opportunities.
• Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including mental health, relationship challenges, grief, finances, and legal issues.
• Daily living/convenience services, such as chore assistance, home repair, trip planning, and child/elder care.