Career Opportunities
Put your outdoor skills to use and become a New Hampshire Conservation Officer!
How would you like to act as a guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources? How about convicting a poacher for an over limit of trout or deer? What about saving someone’s life by rescuing them off a mountain? If these activities sound rewarding to you, then New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is where you belong.
No doubt about it, this job is tough. You will see new challenges everyday that can be demanding both mentally and physically. One day you might be sitting in the woods trying to catch a fisherman who’s taken over his share, while the next day you might be hiking up Tuckerman’s Ravine helping find a lost hiker. Then again you could be backing up a local police officer with a domestic dispute or searching for a suicidal subject with a weapon. Variety is what keeps this career appealing and stimulating. It is a secure career path that can lead in many different directions and has opportunities for promotion.
DUTIES OF A CONSERVATION OFFICER
- Patrols a designated area to identify hunting and fishing code violations.
- Studies and applies state laws concerning fishing and hunting regulations to investigate fish and game complaints and recommend course (s) of action.
- Checks sports persons’ equipment and licenses and arrests violators of fish and game laws.
- Questions witnesses and procures evidence; prosecutes criminal cases in district and municipal court as required.
- Speaks to groups providing information about wildlife and ecology.
- Assists with search and rescue missions, administers first aid, and secures disaster areas where drownings or other accidents have occurred.
- Maintains fish and game equipment including firearms, boats, snow machines, traps and related items.
BENEFITS
A career as a New Hampshire Conservation Officer offers good pay and excellent benefits that include:
- A 25-year retirement system. Officers retire at 50% of their maximum salary while officers working over 25 years receive an additional 2.0% of retirement pay for each additional year worked beyond 25 years
- Statewide overtime opportunities
- State paid health and dental benefits
- You are assigned a four-wheel drive truck, boat, snowmobile, ATV, cell phone, GPS, digital camera, and a variety of other clothing and state-of-the-art equipment necessary for out-of-doors law enforcement and search and rescue work.
- Starting Salary of $39,661.44.
Minimum Qualifications to Apply:
Education: Associate Degree or 60 credit hours from a recognized college or technical institute AND
Experience: No experience required.
-OR-
Education: Completion of high school, G.E.D. or its equivalent AND
Experience: Two years of full-time employment as a certified police officer in a recognized jurisdiction, or two years of experience in the military on full-time active duty with an honorable discharge may be substituted for the two years of required formal education.
-AND-
License/Certification: Upon appointment, candidates must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license in compliance with the state statutes governing driver's licenses and registrations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the date indicated on the job announcement.
- Applicants must have at least 20/40 uncorrected vision in each eye with corrected vision to 20/20 and normal color perception.
- Applicants must possess normal hearing without the use of hearing aids.
- For appointment consideration, the Conservation Officer Trainee selection process requires that candidates pass a written examination measuring possession of knowledge, skills and abilities identified as necessary for satisfactory job performance by this class specification. Candidates must also pass a job-related physical aptitude and agility test designed to measure the ability to perform physically demanding tasks required on the job.
- Candidates receiving conditional offers of employment must pass a prescribed medical examination and a polygraph test.
- Candidates must be willing to accept employment anywhere in the state.
- Law Enforcement Officer Certification: Candidates must be able to obtain law enforcement certification within the time frame established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, OR, be in possession of law enforcement officer certification from a recognized jurisdiction at the time of appointment.
Once your application is accepted you will be scheduled for a written test. In order to move on in the process you must pass this test with a minimum of 70%. The exam tests your knowledge of hunting, fishing and trapping techniques as well as basic orienteering, boating, wildlife identification, wildlife management and Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles.
After passing your written test, you will be required to pass a physical examination consisting of the following activities:
- Run one and a half miles in 12 minutes or less
- Tread water for 15 minutes
- Swim 200 yards in 7 minutes without using the dog paddle
- Drag 185 pound sandbag 75 feet without stopping
- Carry a 35 pound pail and a 20 pound backpack up 22 sets of stairs 5 times without stopping
Upon your successful passing of your physical exam, you will be required to go in front of an oral board where you will again be tested on your knowledge and skills. In addition you will be graded on presentation, judgment, critical thinking, maturity and discretion.
If you are recommended to go beyond the Oral Board Exam, a Conditional Offer of Employment will be offered. Once the Conditional Offer of Employment is signed you will be required to take a psychological and medical exam and a polygraph test. A thorough background investigation will be completed.
To apply for the Conservation Officer Trainee position, click here: admin.state.nh.us/hr/employment.html
SPECIALTY TEAMS
There are many opportunities available to enhance your career:
- Advanced Search and Rescue
- Field Training Officer
- Airboat Operator
- Firearms Instructor
- Defensive Tactics Instructor
- Honor Guard
- Dive Team
- Joint Enforcement Agreement/Coastal Enforcement
CONTACT US
By phone - 603-271-3127
By e-mail - Robert.Bryant@wildlife.nh.gov
In person - 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Thank you for your interest.
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