Natural Resources Police Officer

Salary

Academy Graduation/ Certified: $59,538.61

Pre Certification:
Starting at $52,274.62

Law Enforcement/Statewide Patrols assigned territory to enforce Natural Resources and Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Area laws, rules, and regulations; checks for illegal possession of fish & game. Inspects fishing, trapping, and hunting methods employed. Interprets fish and game laws to individuals, sportsmen clubs and other community groups; participates in conservation education programs. Investigates complaints and reports of violations, forest fires, wildlife damage claims and hunting or boating accidents in accordance with state law.

Arrests violators and assists in their prosecution, which includes filing warrants, testifying in court, and submitting evidence. Inspects boating and rafting activities on state waters; assists with fish stocking programs and surveys; provides security services on state recreational facilities and assists personnel of other DNR divisions and state agencies. Maintains issued equipment in proper order. Reviews applications and approves licenses and permits;

inspects operation to ensure continued compliance with conditions of the permit. Assists other law enforcement agencies. Conducts hunter education or motorboat safety courses. Performs chemical field tests and submits samples for analysis by laboratory. May collect injured, diseased or nuisance wildlife for disposal, transport, or relocation. May assist in searches for lost hunters, drowning victims, downed aircraft, etc. Completes daily, weekly, and monthly activity reports of various types.

May perform special security detail assignments. Performs related duties as required.

Employee is expected to respond to any call or report of a violation at any hour of the day or night and is subject to duty, or seasonal, undercover, and other special assignments whenever and wherever required by the functions, services and needs of the department. Duties involve an element of personal danger due to the nature of law enforcement work.

Work requires considerable travel and outside work in varying weather conditions and difficult terrain.

New Natural Resources Police Officers (formerly Conservation Officer) must attend the State Police Training Academy, unless applicant is a current certified WV Law Enforcement Officer. At the completion of training, officers are assigned to county locations and work shifts based on available vacancies and agency need. All new employees must be willing to relocate and work rotating shifts.

Employees DO NOT have a choice of assignment location.

All PAT sessions are listed below. Applicants should bring clothes for swimming and for running. Report promptly. A written test will be required for those who pass the PAT at a later date. See details below.

• July 25, 2026 South Charleston Community Center 601 Jefferson Road South Charleston, WV 25309 Begins at 9 A.M.
• August 01, 2026 New River Park Pool Adair Street Beckley, WV 25801 Begins at 9 A.M.
• August 08, 2026 Romney Wellness Center 68 Heritage Circle Romney, WV 26757 Begins at 9
  
  A.M

Upper Body Strength— Must be able to complete 18 properly executed push-ups within one minute.

Aerobic Power (1.5 Mile Run)— Must be able to complete the 1.5 mile run within 14 minutes, 36 seconds. Candidates should bring a change of clothes for the running test.

Muscular Endurance— Must be able to complete 28 properly executed sit-ups within one minute.

Swimming Test— Must be able to swim 37 1/2 yards fully clothed. Candidates should bring long pants and a shirt for the fully clothed swimming test.

A written test session will be administered on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 11 A.M. at the WVDNR Headquarters, 112 California Avenue, Building 4, Charleston, WV 25305. Report promptly.

For directions and details about the test refer to this DNR website:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

As a condition of employment, an inquiry into job-related information will be completed which may include, but not limited to, criminal records, abuse registry records,…