Conservation Officers

Job description

These individuals are responsible for enforcing laws that protect wild fauna and its habitats. They inform users of the best hunting and fishing practices and the rules to respect in wildlife areas. They patrol an entire territory by truck, aircraft, boat, or on foot. They find sick, injured, or killed animals and deal with them. They receive and process alerts from the public. They work for:

Hunting and fishing outfitters
Zones d’exploitation contrôlée (ZEC [controlled zones])
Nature interpretation centres
Forest educative centres
Companies offering hands-on natural science activities
Adventure and outdoor tourism companies
The federal and provincial governments
Regional county municipalities (RCMs) (regional parks)
Zoological gardens

Environment

Climatic conditions
Uncontrolled ambient temperature
Hazardous workplaces
Violence
Falling objects

Main tasks

Investigate poaching and carry out anti-poaching operations.
Search and seize illegal weapons.
Report fires and oil spills to the authorities.
Deal with animals that endanger the public.
Educate the public about the importance of protecting biodiversity.
Organize and lead prevention-focused educational events for the public.
Draft reports.

Advancement and mobility

Experience leads to specialized and supervisory positions.

Training and requirements

Formation

Most training programs are offered in French only.

College

DCS in environmental and Wildlife Management

Code : 145C0

Placement rate: 44%

50.5% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation

DCS in natural Environment Technology

Code : 147A0

Also required

No criminal record.
Successful completion of medical and eye exams.
Successful completion of physical aptitude tests.
Class 4A (emergency vehicles) driver's licence.

Main skills and characteristics

Skills

Data collection
Information processing
Monitoring operations
Judgment and decision-making
Coordination

Social perception
Active learning
Persuasion
Oral expression
Written expression
Solving complex problems
Reading comprehension
Teaching
Critical thought
Equipment selection
Negotiation
Service oriented
Material resource management
Repair

More Less skills

Abilities

Endurance
Overall balance of the body
Reaction time
Overall coordination of the body
Limb coordination

Response orientation
Perception speed
Near vision
Awareness of issues
Speed control
Distance vision
Spatial orientation
Peripheral vision
Dynamic strength
Limb movement speed
Manual dexterity
Explosive strength
Written comprehension
Deductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning
Oral comprehension
Information processing speed
Verbal skills
Memorization
Sound origin identification
Classification
Dynamic physical flexibility
Speech clarity
Speech recognition
Colour perception and distinction
Depth perception
Static muscle power
Night vision
Tolerance to bright light
Written expression
Hearing sensitivity
Hand-arm stability
Control accuracy

More Less abilities

Knowledge and attributes

Critical thinking
Autonomy
Sense of responsibility
Capacity to influence and mobilize
Capacity to adapt
Respect standards and regulations
Sense of observation
Knowledge of public safety and security
Tolerance to frequent temperature variations
Knowledge of biology

Interests

Draft, communicate, and inform
Watch, defend, and secure
Work manually
Work in contact with nature and animals
Collect, verify, sort, and classify data or information
Exercer une activité sportive ou physique
Work outdoors
Teach or educate

Personality profiles (RIASEC)

Realistic: People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
Investigative: People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Enterprising: People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.

Additional information

Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)

Conservation and fishery officers (CNP 22113)

Skill type

Natural resources, agriculture and related production