Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with preference given to majors in natural sciences, law enforcement, criminology, or criminal justice. (Substitution is permitted as follows: Employment for a period of four (4) years as a law enforcement officer as certified by the Law Enforcement Training Subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction or International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ADLEST); or an associate degree in natural sciences, law enforcement, criminology, or criminal justice plus two years of military police service or two years continuous employment as a law enforcement officer as certified by the Law Enforcement Training Subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction or ADLEST.
Special Requirements: Must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle in West Virginia. Must be eligible to be bonded in West Virginia. Must be able to pass physical and psychological examinations prior to employment.
Physical Agility Testing: Must be able to pass a physical strength and agility test of Upper Body Strength (push-ups), Muscular Endurance (sit-ups), Aerobic Power (1.5 mile run) and Flexibility (sit and reach). Must also be able to swim at least 37 ½ yards fully clothed. For more information on Physical Agility Testing, contact the Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section at (304) 558-2783.
Nature of Work: An employee in this class is assigned to a geographical area, generally a county or portion of a county and is responsible for interpreting and enforcing state natural resources laws and rules provided for in the West Virginia Code for the purpose of conservation and protection of the natural resources of the state.
Employee seeks to educate the public on the importance of natural resources laws and rules. Keeps in constant contact with the public in order to carry on a continuous program of education to sporting civic and community groups and to secure public support for the division's programs. Employees must apply a personal knowledge of laws and procedures, as well as, judgment and tact, in their contact with the public and co-workers. Must periodically attend law enforcement training schools, as needed and directed. Responds to any call or report of law violations at any hour of the day or night.
Duties involve an element of personal danger due to the nature of law enforcement work. Work requires considerable travel and outside work in varying weather conditions and difficult terrain. Special assignments and instructions are given, as necessary, by a superior conservation officer who inspects and reviews work performed. Performs related work as required.
Training and Probation: Training after employment is characterized by mandatory successful completion of Basic Police Training provided at the State Police Academy and several weeks of specialized Division of Natural Resources training prior to field assignment.
Initial assignment will normally be performed with a senior conservation officer with gradual assumption of more independence and authority as proficiency is demonstrated.
The probationary period for a conservation officer is one year from the date of certification by the Law Enforcement Training Subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction. If certified at time of employment, the probationary period will be one year from date of employment.
In addition to civil service qualifications and requirements, persons selected as conservation officers shall have reached their eighteenth birthday at the time of appointment, be in good physical condition and of good moral character, temperate in habits and shall not have been convicted of a felony. Whenever possible and practicable, preference in selection of conservation officers shall be given honorably discharged United States military personnel.
Application: For initial application and testing contact:
WV Division of Personnel Testing Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
Charleston, WV 25305-0139
Telephone: (304) 558-3950
TDD: (304) 558-1237
West Virginia Division of Personnel