Law enforcement careers
For the resource, for the people, for tomorrow
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking to add new conservation officers! Conservation officers have the very important job of protecting our natural resources and helping keep the people who use our state parks and other public lands safe through the enforcement of fish, wildlife, boating, and park laws. As state peace officers, conservation officers also enforce other criminal and traffic laws on lands owned by the Game and Parks Commission and elsewhere throughout the state. Conservation officers also conduct a variety of education and wildlife management duties.
Duties
Law enforcement
Conservation officers patrol an assigned territory to enforce fish, wildlife, boating, and parks laws. Conservation officers also enforce other criminal and traffic laws as necessary. Specifically, officers are responsible for apprehending and processing boating under the influence violators; gathering evidence to prosecute big game poachers; serving arrest and search warrants to prosecute major fish and wildlife commercialization crimes; conducting general patrols via four-wheel drive vehicle, boat, personal watercraft, ATV, etc. Conservation Officers are also frequently called upon to assist other law enforcement agencies with search, rescue and recovery operations, missing persons, stranded motorists, homeland security efforts, traffic, etc.
Education
Conservation officers conduct hunter safety and boating safety courses; participate in public relations functions and educational programs. Officers frequently organize and assist with youth mentor outdoor activities, exhibits, sport shows, and fairs.
Wildlife management
Conservation officers investigate wildlife depredation complaints and work with landowners to obtain cooperation and support for sound wildlife management practices. Officers also assist with fish and wildlife surveys and investigating the causes of fish kills. Some of the duties include assisting fisheries staff while aboard fish shocking boats, setting lines for the endangered pallid sturgeon, and netting northern pike.
Lifestyle
Conservation officers often work alone in remote areas and in all weather conditions. Officers work out of their homes and have two weekdays regularly assigned off during the week. Although conservation officers work most weekends and major holidays, they often find that they have a very flexible schedule. Instead of a traditional “40-hour” work week, officers work 160 hours within a 28-day work period. In addition, conservation officers accrue paid-time off and have a generous benefits package.
Qualifications & hiring process
The conservation officer hiring process will be open until all positions are filled. Interview dates will be determined by agency needs. Applicants will be notified of their status in the hiring process.
Step 1
Application
Applicants will be selected for interviews based on their education and experience. Preference will be given to candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and who currently hold a Nebraska law enforcement certification or are eligible for reciprocity or reactivation training with the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. Preference will also be given to applicants who hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field; and who have work experience in the natural resources and/or law enforcement field.
Step 2
Qualifications and Interest Interview (via Zoom)
Personal History Statement
Step 3
Panel Interview (In-person)
Step 4
Conditional Offer
- Background Investigation
- Psychological testing/interview
- Medical Exam
- Physical Readiness Entrance Test (non-certified applicants only)
- TABE test (non-certified applicants only)
Step 5
Final offer/Interview
Admission requirements are set by statute and rule and regulation. Chapter 8 of Nebraska Crime Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice rules and regulations contains specific information.
The current starting salary for conservation officers is $55,036. We are unable to offer experienced law enforcement officers lateral pay incentives. Conservation officers are members of the State Law Enforcement Bargaining Council (SLEBC). More information on salary and benefits can be found in the associated links below.
If hired, relocation within the State of Nebraska is highly probable. Duty station locations are determined by existing vacancies. When a duty station is vacated, existing conservation officers are given the opportunity to voluntarily transfer to the duty station. If there is no interest in the vacant duty station, it is filled with a new officer. Requests for specific open duty stations will be considered. However, if a specific request can’t be accommodated, applicants must be willing to relocate anywhere within the State of Nebraska.
Conservation officers must reside within twenty (20) miles of the city limits of their assigned duty station, provided that such residence is in the State of Nebraska and within one of their primary counties of assignment.
Note: Questions concerning the law enforcement certification standards for the State of Nebraska should be directed to the Nebraska Law Enforcement training Center at 308-385-6030 or nletc.nebraska.gov. All other questions regarding the Nebraska Conservation Officer hiring process may be directed to Stacey Lewton at 402-471-5531 or stacey.lewton@nebraska.gov.
Interested applicants
Please fill out the form below to be contacted about future employment opportunities with the Law Enforcement Division of the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.
