Conservation Officer Service

Conservation officers work outside, often in isolated wilderness areas throughout the entire province. Their primary duties include:

• supervision for provincial park enforcement services;
• habitat protection;
• raising awareness about environmental and resource-related concerns; and
• investigating violations such as:
  • illegal dumping and burning;
  • environmental spills;
  • unauthorized use of Crown land;
  • unlawful outfitting;
  • wildlife and fishery violations; and
  • habitat alterations.

They also provide frontline law enforcement services as part of the provincial Protection and Response Team. As a result, they respond to emergency situations and work with domestic and international enforcement agencies (including the RCMP) to address crime in rural and northern Saskatchewan.

Conservation officers support the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies by responding to calls and enforcing additional legislation including but not limited to:

• The Criminal Code of Canada;
• The Traffic Safety Act;
• The Trespass to Property Act;
• The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act; and
• The Snowmobile Act.

In Saskatchewan, it’s common for conservation officers to participate in multi-agency check stops where offences related to public safety such as impaired driving, driving with a suspended licence, and other moving traffic violations are targeted.

The following qualifications are required to apply for a conservation officer position in Saskatchewan:

• Grade 12 education;
• clear criminal record check;
• fluent in English;
• successful completion of the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE test);
• completion of a psychological assessment;
• pass a defensive driving program;
• complete a minimum two-year post-secondary integrated resource management diploma program, such as the Resource and Environmental Law Diploma at Saskatchewan Polytechnic; and
• complete the 16-week Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy (WCLEA)

You can find and apply for all current job opportunities by visiting Careers in the Saskatchewan Public Service.

Applicants must also pass mandatory courses to test their proficiency in firearms use and their understanding of when use of force is required. All officers must successfully complete this training on an annual basis.

Continuous learning is a key part of the conservation officer’s role, to better ensure officers are equipped to meet on-the-job challenges, and to help prevent crimes from occurring in northern and rural Saskatchewan.