Conservation Officer

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Career Opportunity

Please Note the following: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MDT on the posting end date.

Make a difference, become a Conservation Officer for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG)!

Are you passionate about the outdoors and ready to turn that passion into purpose? As a Conservation Officer with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, you'll have a career unlike any other - you'll turn that passion into a meaningful career-safeguarding Idaho's diverse wildlife, upholding natural resource laws, and serving communities across some of the most scenic landscapes in the country.

This Isn't Just a Job - It's a Calling!

IDFG Conservation Officers are law enforcement professionals, biologists, and public educators all in one. You'll patrol mountains, rivers, deserts, and forests using a variety of tools - from horses to jet boats - to enforce laws, prevent poaching, support wildlife research, and build community relationships.

No two days are ever the same. One day you might be investigating wildlife crime, and the next you could be gathering data to assist with a wildlife study or speaking to a classroom about conservation.

What You'll Do:

• Protect Idaho's Natural Resources: Enforce fish and game laws, patrol public lands, investigate wildlife violations, and promote ethical outdoor behavior.
• Support Science-Based Wildlife Management: Collaborate with biologists to gather data, conduct studies, and assist in wildlife population monitoring.
• Serve the Public: Educate hunters, anglers, landowners, and youth on wildlife laws and conservation efforts. Build relationships rooted in respect and stewardship.
• Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Work with landowners and communities to address property damage and other wildlife-related issues.

What Makes a Great Conservation Officer?

The individuals we are looking for to fill these positions are ideally those who are:

• Passionate about wildlife, conservation, and outdoor life.
• Strong communicators who can listen, educate, and de-escalate.
• Self-starters who thrive in independent, often remote work environments.
• Adaptable and ready for the unexpected.
• Have completed a bachelor's degree or higher in fish and/or wildlife management from an accredited college or university.

Screening Items:

Candidates invited to an in-person interview will be required to complete a comprehensive self‑disclosure application and personal history questionnaire prior to their interview. Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information may result in disqualification from further consideration. Please note that any conviction or withheld judgment for a local, state, or federal offense may also be grounds for rejection.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Post in-person interviews, all successful candidates must pass the following:

• Extensive background check (credit, employment, criminal, references)
• Psychological evaluation
• Medical and physical fitness tests

Key Responsibilities:

• Enforcement: conduct field patrols to detect and investigate fish and game law violations; check licenses and bag limits of sportsmen in the field; issue citations and make arrests; operate short-term check stations; monitor license-vending activities; assist other law enforcement agencies when requested; testify in court regarding offenses; act as a relief officer for other patrol districts. Conservation Officers are required to be proficient with department issued firearms, meeting POST qualifications annually with a rifle and biannually with a handgun. Officers are required to pass the POST physical fitness requirement biannually. Work a varied schedule which may include patrolling on weekends, nights, and holidays.

• Fish and game management: collect biological data for wildlife studies; trap, tag, and transplant animals, birds, and fish; conduct wildlife feeding programs; evaluate habitat for wildlife; investigate, resolve, and make reports on wildlife depredation complaints; dispose of deceased, dead, or injured animals.

• Information and education: participate in wildlife education and youth mentoring projects; conduct hunter safety programs; assist in search and rescue operations; write news articles; participate in news programs; attend meetings and conferences regarding fish and game practices and problems.

Minimum Qualifications:

(All qualifications listed below are required. To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the minimum experience and/or education standards as outlined in each of the typical qualification guidelines. A detailed resume or work history must be submitted, clearly demonstrating/supporting how you meet each requirement. This information is essential to our initial evaluation process. Incomplete applications or those lacking relevant details may not be considered for further review.)

• Good knowledge of fish and wildlife management practices including habitat and forage requirements, behavior and identification of various wildlife species, and wildlife population dynamics. (Typically gained by successful completion of at least 12 upper division (300-400 level) credits in fish, wildlife, biology, or a closely related natural resources field from an accredited college or university by the targeted hire date that is listed on the job announcement.)
• Experience: interpreting and applying biological data; writing technical reports on fish and wildlife issues; making oral presentations. (Typically gained by at least one year of work experience or experience through education that required one to interpret and apply biological data; write technical reports on fish and wildlife issues; and make oral presentations on fish and wildlife related topics.)
• Willingness to participate and to instruct in hunting and fishing activities.
• Must be able to meet the entrance requirements for the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council ("POST"). For more information about the Idaho POST entrance requirements, please see the information in the following link - https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/11/111101.pdf.
• Idaho Law requires that peace officers be certified by Idaho's Peace Officer Standards and Training Council ("POST"). The statutes and regulations of POST require that every peace officer be a citizen of the United States, and that citizenship must be established through one of the following: A birth certificate issued by the city, county or state and filed within one year of birth; Naturalization Certificate; U.S. Passport; Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth; or Certificate of Citizenship
• POST requires the disclosure of all charges, citations, arrests, or convictions of any crime, and if so to provide information describing the circumstances and disposition of each charge and to include all police and court documents.

oNOTE: Per IDAPA Rule 11.11.01.056.02, an applicant shall be rejected who has been convicted of any felony crime. Any felony convictions whether withheld judgment, suspended or imposed, conviction of a DUI in the last two years and/or conviction of a sex crime, illegal drug crime, or crime of deceit in the last five years are also cause for rejection.

o A misdemeanor conviction of any federal, state, or local crime may be grounds for rejection of the applicant.

o The term "Conviction" shall include any conviction in a federal, tribal, state, county, or municipal court; a voluntary forfeiture of bail, bond, or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance; payment of a fine; plea of guilty, nolo contendere; a finding of guilt regardless of whether the sentence is imposed, suspended, deferred, or withheld, and regardless of whether the plea or conviction is set aside or withdrawn, or the case or charge is dismissed, or the record expunged under Section 19-2604, Idaho code, or any other comparable statute or procedure, where the setting aside of the plea or conviction, or dismissal of the case or charge, or expungement of the record is based upon lenity or the furtherance of rehabilitation rather than upon any defect in the legality of factual basis of the plea, finding of guilt, or conviction.

• POST Requirement one of the following:

o High school graduate from a school accredited as a high school at the time of graduation by the recognized regional accreditation body;

o Have passed GED or IBM Assessment Test in subject areas required by POST;

o Have successfully completed a high school equivalency program and obtained a state-issued certificate;

o Have successfully completed a minimum of fifteen (15) academic credits at a U.S. regionally accredited college (please see IDAPA Rule 11.11.01.053.01.d for a list of the POST-accepted regional accreditation agencies.);

o Completed a course of study, either in a formal school setting or through homeschooling if the program is recognized by a state or by a local school district within a state as having met that state's high school graduation requirements.

• Be at least 21 years of age by the date of hire.
• Valid driver's license from your state of residence and that you qualify for an Idaho driver's license.
• Physical Fitness Standards must be met twice a year by all Conservation Officers. Listed below are the exercises that will be assessed and the required minimum passing score for each exercise:

o Vertical Jump - Minimum Passing Score = 14 Inches

o Sit-Ups (in one minute) - Minimum Passing Score = 15 Repetitions

o Push-Ups (no time limit) - Minimum Passing Score = 21 Repetitions

o 1.5 Mile Run/Walk - Minimum Passing Score = 17:17 Minutes/Seconds

o 300 Meters Run - Minimum Passing Score = 77 Seconds

Automatic disqualifications in accordance with Idaho Administrative Procedures Act (IDAPA):

• 11.11.01.055 INELIGIBILITY BASED UPON PAST CONDUCT. An applicant is ineligible to attend a basic training academy and for certification under the following circumstances.

1. Criminal Conviction. An applicant is ineligible if he was convicted of:

a. A felony, if the applicant was eighteen (18) years old or older at the time of conviction;

b. A misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence offense(s) within two (2) years immediately preceding application, or two or more (2) misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence offenses within five (5) years immediately preceding application;

c. A misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence, if the relevant law enforcement discipline requires the applicant to possess a firearm in the course of their duty, or if the conviction occurred within 5 years immediately preceding application;

d. A misdemeanor crime of deceit, as defined in these rules, or a misdemeanor sex offense, if the conviction occurred within five (5) years immediately preceding application;

e. A misdemeanor drug-related offense, if the conviction occurred within one (1) year immediately preceding application.

2. Driver's License. An applicant is ineligible if he does not possess a valid driving license from the applicant's state of residence and is unable to qualify for an Idaho driver's license.

3. Marijuana. An applicant is ineligible if he used, illegally purchased, or illegally possessed marijuana, cannabis, hashish, hash oil, or THC in synthetic and natural forms, whether charged or not, if such use occurred.

a. Within one (1) year immediately preceding application.

b. While employed as a law enforcement officer, in a prosecutorial position, or in a position of public safety, regardless of when the use occurred.

4. Violations of Idaho Controlled Substances Act. An applicant is ineligible if he, while eighteen (18) years old or older, violated any provision of the Idaho Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Section 37-2701 et seq., Idaho Code, whether charged or not, that constitutes a felony, or of a comparable statute of another state or country, if the violation occurred:

a. Within three (3) years immediately preceding application;

b. While employed as a law enforcement officer, in a prosecutorial position, or in a position of public safety, regardless of when the illegal use occurred.

5. Use of Prescription or Other Legally Obtainable Controlled Substance. An applicant is ineligible if he unlawfully used any prescription drug or a legally obtainable controlled substance within the past three (3) years, unless:

a. The applicant was under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of using the controlled substance; or

b. An immediate, pressing, or emergency medical circumstance existed to justify the use of a prescription-controlled substance not specifically prescribed to the person. (3-31-22)

6. Military Discharge. An applicant is ineligible if he received a "dismissal," "bad conduct discharge" (BCD), "dishonorable discharge" (DD), or administrative discharge of other than honorable (OTH) from military service. (3-31-22)

7. Decertification or Denial of Certification. An applicant is ineligible if he has been denied certification; his certification is suspended in another state or jurisdiction, denied, revoked or applicant is not able to obtain certification in another state or jurisdiction; or his basic certificate has been revoked by the Council in this state or the responsible licensing agency in any other issuing jurisdiction, unless the denial or revocation has been rescinded by the Council or by the responsible licensing agency of the issuing jurisdiction.

   • Conviction defined: Any conviction in any federal, tribal, state, county, or municipal court; a voluntary forfeiture of bail, bond, or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court as final disposition; the payment of a fine or civil penalty; a plea of guilty or nolo contendere; or a finding of guilt, notwithstanding the form of judgment or withheld judgment, regardless of whether the sentence is imposed, suspended, deferred, or withheld, or whether the plea or conviction is set aside or withdrawn, or the case or charge is dismissed or reduced, or the record expunged under Section 19-2604, Idaho Code, or any other comparable statute or procedure, where the setting aside of the plea or conviction, or dismissal or reduction of the case or charge, or expungement of the record is based upon lenity or rehabilitation rather than upon a defect in the legality or factual basis of the plea, finding of guilt, or conviction. "Conviction" does not include a misdemeanor conviction upon a bond forfeiture for a violation that is or would at the time have in Idaho been an infraction violation, if the only reason it is classified as a misdemeanor is due to the bond forfeiture.

Compensation & Career Growth:

• Starting Salary: $27.86/hour
• After successful completion of your entrance probationary period (first 2,080 hours with POST Academy and Field Training completed) you may be promoted to Conservation Officer, Senior - $30.94/hour

What We Offer:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance - employee only coverage for PPO is $70.74/month for medical and vision & $12.08/month for dental; family plans are also available
• Participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start (accumulate approximately 3 weeks of vacation the first year, and increasing with state longevity)
• Eleven paid holidays in a year
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave
• Multiple optional saving plans - 401k and 457 plans
• Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance - state provided basic life insurance coverage and affordable supplemental plans
• Public Sector Student Loan Forgiveness (eligibility requirements may apply)
• Employee Assistance Program - confidential support, information, and resources for all of life's challenges
• State and Department Wellness Programs
• Ongoing training opportunities
• Potential flexible schedule

Where You'll Work:

Assignments are made based on departmental needs and can be anywhere in the state. Most areas are remote, wild, and beautiful - the kind of places others only visit on vacation. Once placed, transfers are generally not considered for the first three years.

Why Work for IDFG:

At IDFG, we believe in balancing hard work with personal well-being. Our team is passionate about our mission:

"To preserve, protect, perpetuate and manage Idaho's wildlife resources."

We value creativity, integrity, and public service. Whether you're on patrol, helping a young hunter learn the rules, or collecting data for a wildlife study, your work matters - today, and for generations to come.

Tentative Time Frames for this recruitment:

• Initial Video Interviews - September 14, 2026, through September 18, 2026
• In-Person Interviews - October 5, 2026, through October 8, 2026
• Background Checks/Screening - this will begin immediately after the in-person interviews conclude.
• Conditional offers of hire and invitations to psychological, medical, and physical fitness exams will be sent out in October 2026. *Please note: Exams will be conducted in Boise on November 2, 2026, through November 3, 2026.
• Estimated hire date - December 6, 2026
• New Hire Orientation - December 7, 2026, through December 16, 2026
• POST patrol academy - February 27, 2027, through May 28, 2027

Want to Learn More about IDFG and becoming a Conservation Officer?

To learn more about becoming an IDFG Conservation Officer and the Department, please see the following:

• Become a Conservation Officer | Idaho Fish and Game
• (Video) Idaho Fish and Game - We Make It Happen

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

If you're ready for a career that combines purpose, adventure, and impact, apply to become an Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officer today.

Thank you for applying with us!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Idaho Department of Fish and Game

P.O. Box 25

Boise, Idaho 83707

WEBSITE:

https://idfg.idaho.gov/

If you have questions,

please contact us at:

EMAIL:

idfgjob@idfg.idaho.gov

PHONE:

(208) 334-3773

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.