CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER 3

Code: 32083 State Competitive Range: J23 (FY 2027) Work week NL: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $96,897.92 - $142,869.92/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of a Supervising Conservation Police Officer, or other supervisory official in the Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection, takes charge of the work programs and staff in a designated area of responsibility or a specifically designated functional program; supervises, plans, and coordinates, fish, game, and wildlife law enforcement and management activities; exercises all of the powers and duties conferred by law while conducting regular duties; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Provides input to division biologists in the development of fish and wildlife management and research programs.
• Supervises environmental inspections and investigations and collects field information for determining compliance with the appropriate environmental laws and regulations.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and /or disciplining of employees.
• Supervises and coordinates the training programs and the daily activities of the staff of a designated area involving fish and wildlife law enforcement activities.
• Trains and supervises assigned officers regarding apprehension and prosecution of violators of N.J.S.A. Title 23, 50, and 58.
• Coordinates and supervises special investigations and surveys to establish, review, and revise hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations, practices, and procedures affecting wildlife resources and habitats in the future.
• Plans, prepares, and submits annual budget requirements for an assigned area of responsibility.
• Supervises water and soil pollution investigations on state or private land and waterways within an assigned area of responsibility, and monitors the effects of pollutants on fish and wildlife.
• Supervises comprehensive firearms training program for assigned officers.
• Plans and coordinates the patrol activities of assigned areas.
• Provides information to various citizen groups interested in fish and wildlife resources.
• Recommends appropriate areas for the stocking of fish and game within an assigned region.
• Meets and confers with other state and federal agencies to coordinate wildlife law enforcement activities involved in wildlife resource regulation.
• Supervises background investigations, recommends approval/disapproval of license and/or permit applicants for the purchase, sale, and housing of nongame and endangered species of birds and animals.
• Supervises and reviews audits of the accounts of delinquent or suspect license agents within an assigned area.
• Supervises and coordinates initial and follow-up reviews of stream improvement and land use projects with private land owners for the benefit of the hunting and fishing public.
• Plans and directs investigations in coordination with other department units concerning water pollution and the adverse effects on fish and other wildlife resources; oversees the collection of samples of physical evidence of various pollutants, reviews findings with state laboratories, and provides testimony at hearings and/or in court as a representative of the state.
• When required, coordinates and authorizes subordinate officer assistance to state and local public health officials to investigate cases of diseases in wildlife, particularly where there is a potential danger to public health.
• Plans and coordinates field tests on new equipment as required, including motor vehicles, firearms, protective equipment, boats, motors, trailers, electronic and photographic equipment, uniforms and radio communications units; reviews the written evaluation and provides recommendations.
• Coordinates and reviews the investigation of all hunter-related accidents and recommends legal action where findings indicate negligence.
• Coordinates, assists, and/or authorizes assistance to the Forest Fire Service in the detection and suppression of forest fires and the investigation in cases of suspected arson.
• Reviews result of consultations with private landowners regarding the wildlife resource and potential conflicts of land use; and provides recommendations.
• Reviews subordinate officers' field notes; directs and coordinates activities for the collection and preservation of ballistic and biological evidence to ensure the identifiability for forensic laboratory analysis and the prosecution of alleged violators.
• Assists superiors in planning, coordinating, and directing division efforts to monitor foreign and domestic commercial fishing activities.
• Assists and/or coordinates the assistance of subordinate personnel to federal agencies involved in fish and wildlife law enforcement activities, and reviews all necessary reports.
• Organizes and supervises dockside investigations of commercial fishing vessels to ensure compliance with Federal Conservation Management Act permit requirements and catch limitations.
• Upon being deputized, serves as a Deputy Game Warden of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises efforts for the protection and/or removal of stranded marine mammals and endangered species.
• Prepares, and/or supervises the preparation of reports and correspondence containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of records, reports, and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the Biological Sciences, Biology, Biostatistics, Microbiology, Natural Science, Zoology, Marine Science, Wildlife Biology, Marine Biology, Animal Science, Botany, Physics, Wildlife Science/Conservation, Fisheries Science, Wildlife Management, Conservation Law Enforcement, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies or Environmental Science. The Bachelor's degree must include or be supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in any combination of the following areas: Fisheries Science, Wildlife Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management or Biological Sciences.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in law enforcement, wildlife science, fisheries science, or environmental science.

<b>SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:</b>

<b>AGE:</b>

Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.

<b>CITIZENSHIP:</b>

United States citizenship.

<b>TRAINING:</b>

Appointees must have satisfactorily completed the police training course administered by the New Jersey State Police or other accredited police training academy certified by the Police Training Commission (PTC). Such training includes successful attainment of a level of proficiency in the use of firearms.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of natural resources, and fish and wildlife management, and the techniques of gathering information on these resources, their environment and requirements, and the resource users.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of fish and wildlife management and the recreational and commercial use of these resources.
• Knowledge of interview techniques and investigative methods.
• Knowledge of law enforcement methods.
• Knowledge of the principles of fisheries and wildlife science and their relationship to the development and enforcement of laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of the techniques used to identify water and soil pollution.
• Knowledge of the procedures used to prepare affidavits and search warrants.
• Knowledge of citizen's rights concerning arrest, prosecution, search and seizure, and confiscation of evidence.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in covert investigations.
• Knowledge of the methods used to detect and apprehend law violators.
• Ability to collect samples from water and soil.
• Ability to conduct investigations, prepare cases for court and follow through to disposition.
• Ability to instruct volunteers and the public about hunter safety according to established Fish and Game laws and regulations.
• Ability to work outdoors for extensive periods of time under varying climatic conditions and in all types of terrain.
• Ability to operate outboard motorboats and other small craft including canoes on inland and coastal waterways.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to handle firearms safely and correctly, and to instruct others on the safe, lawful, and proper use of firearms.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others involved in programs for fish and wildlife management.
• Ability to confer with supervisors, Deputy Attorneys General, county and municipal prosecutors to prepare cases for hearings and/or trials.
• Ability to keep current with bureau priorities, programs, objectives, standards, internal organization and development, and maintenance needs.
• Ability to understand the laws and/or regulations associated with Title 23, Title 39, Title 50 and Title 58.
• Ability to understand the procedures to prepare cases for court and final case disposition.
• Ability to work joint investigations and patrols with federal, other state, county and municipal authorities.
• Ability to instruct subordinate officers in proper wildlife law enforcement procedures and methods.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to evaluate staff and their performance.
• Ability to effectively communicate division goals and directives to other agencies and the public.
• Ability to assist in the development and implementation of division policy.
• Ability to conduct training programs in conjunction with assigned duties and responsibilities, this may include, but not be limited to schools, police departments and/or various community groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively to educate and inform the public on the biological principles associated with the rules, laws, procedures and management practices pertaining to the use of fish, game, wildlife and natural resources.
• Ability to act quickly and decisively during emergency situations.
• Ability to cooperate with state and local government officials on matters relating to fish and wildlife conservation programs, and to initiate local programs relating to specific wildlife resources.
• Ability to organize assigned supervisory and technical law enforcement work, analyze law enforcement problems, and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to maintain all issued equipment.
• Ability to prepare correspondence and reports.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of records and files.
• Ability to determine budgetary requirements for an assigned area.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Education, Parks and Recreation or Criminal Justice supplemented by thirty (30) semester hour credits in any combination of the subject areas indicated above will be considered acceptable.

Appointees to this position must successfully qualify semi-annually in the use of firearms.

<b>MEDICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM:</b>

Candidates certified from the eligible list for this title will be required to undergo medical and psychological examinations administered by the appointing authority.

<b>RESIDENCY:</b>

Appointees will be required to establish residence in a specific geographic area of the state within ninety (90) days of appointment.

Appointees may be required to possess a motorboat operator's license issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and a Boating Safety Certificate from a program approved by the New Jersey State Police.