How To Become a Conservation Officer

Firearms training

Educating the public

Patrolling interior lakes by canoe

Dedicated to the protection of our natural resource

Becoming a Conservation Officer requires education, training and dedication.

A new recruit would be expected to possess some knowledge and experience in the field of natural resources management and knowledge of the related legislation. Other desired qualities include excellent communication and interpersonal skills; analytical, investigative and intelligence gathering skills; the ability to work independently and proficiency in computer use, handling firearms, and hunting and fishing.

Approximately 250 students graduate from college programs in this field each year, making this an extremely competitive field of employment.

General Requirements

There are also several key criteria without which a candidate cannot be appointed, including:

• the ability to qualify as a Conservation/Peace Officer;
• possession of a valid driver's licence;
• the ability to complete use of force training and firearms certification;
• the ability to meet the physical demands of the position; and,
• a willingness to work in remote locations, travel for extended periods of time, work shifts, weekends and holidays and perform your duties effectively despite inclement weather.

Educational Opportunities

Although it is not a mandatory requirement, a diploma in natural resource management would help prepare you for a career in natural resources enforcement. Candidates with related training and experience (e.g. a similar position in another province or in law enforcement) may also be considered. Some examples of post-secondary institutions in Ontario that may offer related programs include:

Algonquin College
315 Pembroke Street East
Pembroke, Ontario
K8A 3K2

www.algonquincollege.com

Collège Boréal (offers courses in French)
21 Lasalle Boulevard
Sudbury, Ontario
P3A 6B1
www.borealc.on.ca

Confederation College
P.O. Box 398
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7C 4W1
www.confederationc.on.ca

Lakehead University
Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 5E1
www.lakeheadu.ca

Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology
640 Latchford Street
Box 2060
Haileybury, Ontario
POJ 1KO
www.northernc.on.ca

Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology
443 Northern Avenue
Box 60
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
P6A 5L3
www.saultc.on.ca

Sir Sandford Fleming College School of Natural Resources
Box 8000
Lindsay, Ontario
K9V 5E6
www.flemingc.on.ca

University of Toronto
Centre for Environment
Earth Sciences Building
33 Willcocks Street
Room 1016V
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 3E8
www.environment.utoronto.ca