Conservation Officer

Conservation officers work directly with the public in provincial parks. Their objectives are to:

• safeguard people while they are visiting parks
• minimize conflict between park visitors
• protect the natural resources of the park.

Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, conservation officers:

• offer information and assistance to park visitors
• monitor and manage resources
• co-ordinate forest fire suppression activities
• supervise and train park employees
• respond to correspondence, complete reports and prepare budgets
• investigate violations and ensure compliance with resource related laws and regulations
• conduct search and rescue operations as needed
• inform policy makers and wildlife investigators
• make presentations and conduct public outreach activities
• contribute to park management and operational plans
• co-operate with wildlife researchers in development management and enforcement strategies
• supervise the construction or repair of facilities and maintenance of equipment.

Conservation officers frequently patrol their areas by truck, boat or plane, or on foot, skis or horseback. They watch for potential hazards and assess the condition of the park, its wildlife and other natural resources.

Conservation officers are trained in first aid and life saving techniques and must take charge of the situation when visitors are lost, injured or endangered. They work in co-operation with police, fish and wildlife officers, and other resource management and enforcement agencies.

Conservation officers work indoors and outdoors, sometimes in extreme weather conditions or rough terrain. Travel is required, sometimes by unusual modes of transport such as canoe, snowmobile or horseback. Some risk is involved in capturing and handling animals and enforcing regulations.

Hours of work include weekends and holidays, and may include night shifts or split shifts. Overtime may be required to respond to violations or events involving serious conflict between humans and wildlife.

Lifting up to 10 kilograms is routinely required; heavier lifting may be required in some circumstances.

Conservation officers need the following characteristics:

• tact, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills 
• an interest in nature and concern for the environment
• good health and physical conditioning
• good oral and written communication skills
• the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent problem solving skills.

They should enjoy conducting patrols, compiling information and working with people.

Conservation officers are employed by the Government of Alberta. They may be posted or transferred to any provincial park in Alberta and most officers are transferred at least once during their first few years of employment. Some positions are seasonal.

Experienced conservation officers may specialize in a particular type of work or advance to supervisory positions.

Conservation officers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2224: Conservation and Fishery Officers. In Alberta, 91% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Public Administration (PDF)
• Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.