How Do I Become A Conservation Officer In Nevada?

Conservation officers, sometimes also referred to as fish and game wardens, enforce state and federal laws protecting natural resources, mainly fish and wildlife. Here in Nevada, game wardens have patrol duties over the entire area of the state; approximately 110,000 square miles. Individual wardens can patrol an area of up to 3,235 square miles, while a select few are responsible for patrol areas of nearly 10,000 square miles.

How Do I Become A Conservation Officer In Nevada?

Principle Duties

• Observation and inspection – One of the main duties of a conservation officer is to observe hunters, fishermen, and trappers to ensure they are complying with state and federal law by inspecting the following:
  • Licenses
  • Bag (tag) limits
  • Specimens collected
  • Equipment used
  • The methods used to hunt game
  • Vehicles and watercraft for compliance with state and federal laws
• Conducting educational programs – The Nevada Department of Wildlife works to maximize the level of voluntary compliance with the law by organizing educational programs that provide information at events such as boat shows, county fairs and hunter education indoctrinations. These programs are run by conservation officers, who also contribute to the production of clear and understandable regulation brochures.
• Law Enforcement – Conservation officers are empowered to enforce the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes and all other regulations that affect wildlife issues. This may involve the apprehension of those who violate these provisions, the protection and preparation of evidence collected during investigations of violations and the preparation and presentation of such cases in court.

Applying For The Position

• Medical Tests – After applying for the position of Conservation Officer, the applicant will be asked to undertake a number of medical tests to ascertain their physical capabilities. These include tests to determine their physical fitness as well as their hearing, sight and mental health.
• Education – The minimum level of education required to apply for the position of Conservation Officer is HS diploma or GED. Applicants who have qualifications in a field such as criminal justice or wildlife management are preferred.

• Qualifications – Applicants for the position of Conservation Officer are required to have a current drivers licence and be willing to submit documentation validating eligibility and identity for U.S. employment. The following qualifications are desirable, but not required, when applying for the role:
  • Ability to recognize and utilize various firearms
  • Proficient in types of patrol, including on foot, on horseback, boats, by airplane, as well as in quite a few vehicles
  • Show an aptitude for composing reports and maintaining evidence, gathering data, and testifying in court
  • Capability to organize and to market hunter education systems
  • Skilled at gathering and reporting informative data on wildlife and fish and the states of their habitats
  • Readiness to professionally and enthusiastically represent the bureau at Nevada assemblies, schools, and special interest groups
  • Capability to make small vehicle repairs
  • Skilled at making use of professional degree English grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and writing; comprehension and reading
  • Skilled at making use of foundational mathematics skills including estimate, payroll/accounts receivable, and advanced arithmetic

• Experience – While there is no specific experience required to apply for the role of conservation officer, applicants with experience in the areas of criminal, civil, and court proceeding, traffic and patrol exercises, firearms training and trafficking and law enforcement are preferred.
• Experience – While there is no specific experience required to apply for the role of conservation officer, applicants with experience in the areas of criminal, civil, and court proceeding, traffic and patrol exercises, firearms training and trafficking and law enforcement are preferred.

Training For Success

Earning a degree from our Criminal Justice School puts you in an excellent position to apply for the position of Conservation Officer, giving you the skills and experience that can set you apart from other applicants. At Northwest Career College, our Criminal Justice instructors include licensed, practicing attorneys and degreed instructors able to teach, not only the law, but also to guide our students in the many ways a criminal justice graduate integrates into a Las Vegas legal profession.

As part of our Criminal Justice Program, you’ll visit courts, jails, meditation centers and more to experience first-hand the law in action which will make your criminal justice training applicable to the Las Vegas legal system. Northwest offers a flexible blended program with all criminal justice classes and Las Vegas law classes taught on campus by an attorney and general education courses offered online. Our experienced instructors are on-campus to review and support your learning experience at all times.

Call us at (702) 403-1592 to speak to one of our enrollment team about joining our Criminal Justice Program today!