Wildlife conservation officers must love the outdoors. They work to protect, manage, and enhance the environment by spending most of their days patrolling lakes, mountains, streams, marshes, beaches, and parks. Being physically fit is essential, since this job requires a lot of hiking. The job can vary from day to day. One day an officer can be taking water samples and the next day arrest someone for an illegal dumping offense.

The hours are long, and usually include working on holidays and weekends when hikers and others are using the parks. Wildlife conservation officers must be good at taking data and filing reports. A college degree in the sciences is a definite plus to get a job in this field, and candidates must pass a state and federal exam.

Wildlife conservation officers attend police academies. They are the state police of the waters and the woods. While many patrol parks on foot and in cars, those who oversee public lakes and rivers get around on Jet Skis. They enforce drunk driving laws on the land and in the waterways. They investigate all boating and hunting accidents. They work under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and can enforce federal fish and wildlife laws and assist federal officers when needed.

Starting salaries begin between $25,000 and $32,000 — depending on location — and can increase to $65,000 or higher with several years on the job.