Fish and wildlife officers

What's in it for you

Fish and wildlife officers use a variety of vehicles – 4x4 trucks, quads, snowmobiles, boats, helicopters, etc. – to patrol Alberta’s vast outdoors and backcountry as they perform their duties.

Many people from across Canada and around the world choose to live and work in Alberta each year.

As a fish and wildlife officer, you get:

a rewarding, challenging and dynamic work environment – never the same day twice
to be on a very unique and highly professional law enforcement team
to experience Alberta’s vast outdoors and backcountry
to conserve and protect fish, wildlife and public lands
to serve your community
hands-on work and contact with wildlife
training and growth opportunities that are extensive and diverse
promotion opportunities
a pension, excellent benefits and job security

Videos

What we do

Fish and wildlife officers perform 2 vital functions:

help conserve and protect the province’s natural resources by ensuring everyone understands and complies with the laws meant to safeguard its natural resources
ensure the public’s safety and protection of property in regards to wildlife

Contact the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement branch

Job description

Duties

Your days as a fish and wildlife officer are varied, often exciting and always meaningful – just like your duties:

Enforce laws

conduct compliance checks
inspect commercial operations
respond to incidents reported through the Report A Poacher program
conduct surveillance
gather evidence and work with the branch's Forensic Unit
execute search and arrest warrants
conduct investigations
interview witnesses and suspects
prepare and serve court documents
prepare disclosure and trial briefs
testify in court

Protect life and property

prevent human-wildlife conflict
control problem wildlife – everything from bears to moose to wolves
investigate property damage (for example: livestock, stored feed) caused by wildlife

Deliver public education and outreach

represent the branch at schools
present at community meetings
comment to media on operational matters
interact regularly with stakeholders – sportsmen, Indigenous people, guides, outfitters, trappers, landowners, industry representatives, general public

As your career progresses, you’ll have the opportunity to:

teach and mentor colleagues as a district officer, sergeant, detective or senior officer
instruct colleagues on a select topic – firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, etc. – as a member of one of our training teams
represent the branch on a variety of committees and / or as a select member of our Guard of Honour

Classifications

We hire successful candidates at one of these classifications:

entry-level job description (Fish and Wildlife Officer)
full-working level job description (Fish and Wildlife Officer)

Training

Our training program for fish and wildlife officer recruits – the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy – is paid, comprehensive and designed for you.

The program runs for 18 weeks and shares time between the Hinton Training Centre in Hinton and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Training Academy in Edmonton. It’s led by instructors – mostly active officers – from across Western Canada who use innovative techniques to deliver a first-class learning experience.

We give you a structured learning environment that gets you job-ready and instils the pride and professionalism that comes with being a fish and wildlife officer.

Classroom and field experience

Our instructors guide you – in the classroom and field – through these subjects:

emergency vehicle operation - patrol truck, ATV, 4x4, snowmobile, trailer
emergency boat operation
firearms – pistol, rifle, shotgun
use of force / self defence
swift-water rescue
human-wildlife conflict
chemical immobilization
physical conditioning
ethics
water and ice safety
investigations
interviewing and interrogating
Indigenous awareness
mental health
domestic violence
note taking and report writing
drill / ceremony

During training, you must successfully complete the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) test twice.

On-the-job training

After you successfully complete the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy training program, you’ll return to your district and work under a field training officer for 12 months. This gives you vital operational experience.

Recruiting process

There’s an 8-step process to becoming a fish and wildlife officer recruit:

Step 1. Resume review

When you submit your resume and requested documents through the Government of Alberta jobs website, we review them to make sure you meet – or will soon meet – the officer job requirements.

Step 2. PARE test

the PARE test is designed to evaluate your level of physical fitness to ensure you can perform the duties of a fish and wildlife officer. You must pay for the test; the Alberta government will reimburse you if you’re hired.
you must have completed the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) test – in 4 minutes or less – in the last 6 months
medical consent is required from a physician before you can participate in the PARE test
for your scheduled PARE test, you must bring – (1) Medical Consent form that’s fully filled out and signed by a physician; (2) Consent and Test Record form
if you live outside Alberta, we’ll accept a successful PARE test from the province you live in

PARE test centres

PARE Medical Consent form

PARE Consent and Test Record form

Step 3. Interview

For the interview, you need to bring the following:

proof of a successful PARE test
original of valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence
current driver's abstract
current standard first aid certificate (Level C)
current CPR certification (adult, child, infant)
current and clear criminal records check
3 references – 2 must be recent or current employers

The interview panel is made up of senior staff from the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement branch and a human resources consultant.

You must be willing to accept an assignment in any one of several districts located across the province. Be ready to discuss which of our 50-plus districts you prefer.

In-person interviews are required; however, exceptions may be made for applicants who live outside Alberta.

Step 4. References and academic verification

We check your references and verify your academic credentials.

Step 5. Recruitment package

you're required to complete our detailed medical assessment – cardiovascular, vision, hearing, etc. – reimbursed by the Alberta government
you must demonstrate that you understand and commit to our ‘Conditions for Employment’ by reviewing and signing the appropriate documents

Step 6. Psychological test

You’re required to take a pre-employment psychological assessment, arranged by and paid for by the Alberta government.

Step 7. Background check

We conduct a detailed background check that examines your personal and professional life.

Step 8. Offer of employment

this allows you to begin training as a recruit
your offer letter includes the start date and location of your training class, plus your starting wage

Job requirements

Education and experience

Conservation Law Enforcement degree and 1 year of experience in Conservation Law Enforcement or Natural Resources
OR
2-year diploma in Natural Resources and 3 years of experience in Conservation Law Enforcement or Natural Resources
OR
directly related Bachelor of Science degree and 1 year of experience in Conservation Law Enforcement or Natural Resources

General

Canadian citizen, permanent resident or eligible to work in Canada
good physical condition – duties can involve hiking; heavy lifting; operating boats, snowmobiles and ATVs; other outdoor activities
valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence
current driver's abstract
current standard first aid (level A)
current CPR certificate (level C)
defensive driving certificate
current and clear criminal records check
proof of a successful Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) test – in 4 minutes or less – in the last 6 months
eligible for appointment as a peace officer under the Peace Officer Act
eligible to qualify for firearms certification

Medical

You must meet certain medical standards:

major body systems – cardiovascular, central nervous system, gastro intestinal, genitourinary, metabolic, musculoskeletal, respiratory
vision – distance, near, horizontal, colour
audiological (ie, hearing)
others – alcohol and drug / medications, immunization, psychological / psychiatric

Learn more: Medical Standards for Fish and Wildlife Officer Recruits.

Skills and abilities

high degree of integrity and maturity
physically fit and able to perform field duties
comfortable working alone
self-confidence
sound judgement and common sense
excellent verbal and written communication skills
function effectively in a team environment
excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
strong leadership and role model abilities
function effectively in a potentially hostile work environment
basic computer proficiency and keyboarding skills
accommodate shift work including weekends and holidays

Apply now

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Alberta fish and wildlife officer.

To prepare for our next competition, make sure you meet – or will soon meet – the officer job requirements.

Contact

General enquiries

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement offices are open 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays).

Connect with the nearest office

Emergencies

To report a fishery or wildlife violation or other serious wildlife-related matter, call the 24-7 Report A Poacher hotline at 1-800-642-3800.

Recruiting enquiries

Connect with the Fish and Wildlife branch about recruiting:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-5038
Email: [email protected]

You can also connect with us on Facebook.

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