For Immediate Release
June 12, 2006

IDNR seeking applicants for Conservation Police Officer; Applications now being accepted

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood today announced that the department is seeking applicants for the position of Conservation Police Officer (CPO) Trainee. Conservation Police enforce laws and statutes of the state to protect, manage, and sustain Illinois’ natural and recreational resources.

“Our Conservation Police officers play a critical role in helping the department meet our core mission of protecting the state’s natural resources,” said Flood. “This new class of new recruits is another indication of the State’s commitment to natural resources protection.”

Conservation Police Officers have full police authority, with an enforcement mission focused on natural resources protection and outdoor recreation safety. Duties of the position include: Enforcement of criminal and vehicle laws in state parks; patrolling Illinois lakes and rivers and enforcing boat safety laws and regulations; enforcing state and federal fish and wildlife laws and regulations; timber buyer and forest protection, endangered species protection, snowmobile registration and operation laws; laws and regulations regarding commercial establishments, including taxidermists, fur buyers and fish markets; and enforcing IDNR administrative rules and regulations.

“The Office of Law Enforcement is committed to recruiting qualified, dedicated officers to serve and protect the natural resources and the citizens of this state,” said Galen Westerfield, director of the Illinois Conservation Police. “I encourage all qualified individuals who are interested in law enforcement to apply.”

Eligibility requirements for a Conservation Police Officer include:

• A two-year degree and three consecutive years of experience as a full-time police officer with the same law enforcement agency, or a four-year degree;

• Must possess the skill level and demonstrate the ability to swim at the competence level not less than that established by the American Red Cross for an intermediate level swimmer;

• Must successfully obtain certification from the Illinois Training and Standards Board as an Illinois police officer and successfully complete the Conservation Police Academy within one year of hire.

Applications for the new IDNR Conservation Police Officer recruit class are now being accepted. The new class of 15 officers will begin training in January 2007. Applicants must submit all application materials before the testing period, expected to begin in July 2006. The hiring process includes submitting a State of Illinois CMS Employment Application for the position of Conservation Police Officer Trainee. Those successfully completing the CMS written exam for CPO Trainee will be placed on an eligibility list and invited to continue in the hiring selection process.

For more information on the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement and the Conservation Police Officer hiring process, visit the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/law3 and click on “Information on Career Opportunities.”

To receive an employment application or for additional information, contact the IDNR Office of Human Resources at 217/782-7616 or the CMS Bureau of Personnel/Examining at 217/785-1985.

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other non-merit factors. For all questions regarding equal opportunities, contact the funding source’s civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-0067.
 

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