Seasonal Water Patrol Officer

Seasonal Water Patrol Officer

Salary

$16.50 Hourly

Location

State of Iowa - See Job Description, IA

Job Type

Temporary

Job Number

27-01151

Agency

542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Opening Date

10/22/2026

Closing Date

12/21/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-DNP

Point of Contact

Eddie Elkin, Edward.Elkin@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-250-2527

To Apply

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

• Description
• Questions

Job Description

This is a temporary non-merit position with the Iowa Department Natural Resources.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Seasonal Water Patrol Officers are temporary, summer employees of the Iowa DNR. These are positions of high responsibility. Diverse duties for Water Patrol include checking for compliance with Iowas navigation and fishing regulations and helping to ensure a safe recreational environment for the public. Water Patrol Officers also provide public assistance and safety education through personal contacts and by sometimes participating in DNRs educational programs. Water Patrol Officers are the first to respond to the scene of emergency situations such as accidents, missing persons or other calls for assistance. After assessing the situation and alerting officers and/or other agencies, they continue to assist investigating officers and rescue personnel.

When not patrolling, Seasonal Water Patrol Officers must maintain their issued patrol vehicles and/or vessels, safety equipment, gear, and storage facilities in accordance with directives.

Completion of required administrative duties, such as activity reports, case information narratives, timesheets, citations, and vehicle/vessel usage records are required.

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a United States citizen or be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Minimum Age: 18
• Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License required.
• Submission to and clearance of a thorough background check.
• Ability to work alone, with the public, in a law enforcement capacity, in all conditions, on weekends, and including holidays, nights, and evenings.
• Pay for summer 2027 will be $16.50 per hour.

The DNR seeks to hire individuals who wish to support our mission, which is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations, to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Program Webpage Link: Conservation Law Enforcement | Department of Natural Resources

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&si=N0StTnQrdNZhW8Sr&v=_wg6xTuXphY&feature=youtu.be

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Iowa DNR Mission:

To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

No specific education or experience is required.

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

After reviewing the list of essential functions for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources position you are applying for, please answer the following question: Based on the list of essential functions listed within the job announcement, are you able to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without a reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

04

If you are one of the top candidates for this position, the Hiring Team may wish to contact the references provided by you or any others we deem appropriate in order to verify your current or prior employment for the purpose of evaluation of your qualifications for the above position. Any information obtained through a reference check shall be kept confidential to the extent allowed under the Iowa Open Records Act (Iowa Code chapter 22). Please list below three professional business references, including at least one current or former supervisor. Please provide name, title, organization, relationship to you, phone, email, and full address of the reference. You may attach these to your application or type them in the box provided below.

05

Please select your highest level of education:

• Still in high school
• High school diploma or GED
• Some College courses
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Graduate Degree

06

Do you have or are you pursuing post secondary education in the degree area of natural resources, biology, environmental science or a similar field?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have or are you pursuing post secondary education in the degree area of criminal justice or law enforcement?

• Yes
• No

08

Do your application materials demonstrate that you have work experience in the law enforcement field?

• Yes
• No

09

Do your application materials demonstrate that you have work experience in enforcing fish and game laws?

• Yes
• No

10

Do your application materials demonstrate conservation experience such as hunter safety instruction, volunteering at conservation events and participation in other conservation related activities?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you possess or can you obtain a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

12

The Iowa DNR Law Enforcement Bureau will be holding interviews on; Friday January 15, 2027 __ Saturday January 16, 2027 ____ Sunday January 17, 2027 __ Please indicate your 1st and 2nd preference for an interview date.

13

Potential Duty Stations: (Please see our website for specific duty stations that are POTENTIALLY available: Conservation Law Enforcement | Department of Natural Resources Indicate/check only those locations you are willing and available to work.) Water Patrol (Check only one, as applicable) ANY WPO Position I am only able/willing to work here ____(Location).

14

AVAILABILITY: 1)Provide the first day you could be available to work for the Iowa DNR: 2)List any commitments or anticipated absences from work during the coming summer: 3)Provide your anticipated last day available to work for the Iowa DNR:

15

1. Describe your level of boating experience, including hours of operation, types of vessels, maintenance:

16

2. Describe your level of fishing experience, including hours spent annually, species sought, equipment used:

17

3. Describe your level of law enforcement experience, including past job duties, specific law enforcement training, and where obtained:

18

4. Look up our Bureau Mission Statement and describe your (additional training, certifications, experiences, and/or interest in conservation that are pertinent (i.e. how can you contribute?) :

19

5. Describe your experiences talking with groups of people, presentations, and any other PR work, including topics, number in audience, and ages:

20

6. Describe, in your own words, why you want this position, including your short and long term job and career goals:

Required Question

Employer State of Iowa

Agency 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources Address 6200 Park Ave

STE 200

Des Moines, Iowa, 50321

Website http://www.iowadnr.gov/