The law enforcement division of the DNR concentrates on full-time police work focused on community needs within natural resource laws and rules. Officers experience interesting challenges that vary from day to day. Officers also have the opportunity to become actively involved in their local community and with many organizations.

Conservation officers are eligible for a variety of benefits. These benefits include a take-home vehicle; department cellphone and laptop; all necessary equipment to perform job tasks; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid vacation; holidays and comp time; scheduling allocations for schooling; and three paid hours per week to maintain physical fitness.

DNR’s Law Enforcement Division employs 214 conservation officers. Division headquarters is in Indianapolis, and there are 10 law enforcement districts in the state.

The role of an Indiana Conservation Officer is centered on being service-oriented. As the law enforcement division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, they concentrate on full-time police work focused on community needs within natural resource laws and rules.

To be a good conservation officer candidate, you must be mature, responsible, tactful, and dedicated to a career in natural resources law enforcement. Additional requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be at least 21 years of age on the date of your prospective appointment as a conservation officer, (November 1, 2024).
  • Complete a physical fitness test consisting of:
    • 1-minute sit-up, 24
    • 300-meter run, 82 seconds or less
    • Max push-up, 21
    • 1.5-mile run, 18 minutes 56 seconds or less
    • Vertical jump, 13.5 in.
  • Demonstrate an ability to swim 100 yards without stopping and to tread water for at least 5 minutes.
  • Possess a valid license to operate an automobile.
  • Be willing to refrain from engaging in any political activity prohibited by law.
  • Submit to and satisfy standard psychological testing.

You will work with minimum supervision in all kinds of weather.

The hiring process will take up to six months to complete. Steps:

  1. Take the pre-screening test to see if you meet officer qualifications. Review qualifications. By passing the pre-screening test, you will be added to a database to be notified when we hold a hiring process.
  2. If you pass, you will be invited to register for a written and physical test at a regional location. This written test is similar to the POST exam. The examination tests for basic reading comprehension, mathematics (nothing greater than division), spelling and grammar skills. It is based on a high school level education.
  3. You also must pass a detailed background check, a fit for duty medical screening, panel interview, polygraph test and a psychological test.
  4. If you pass all stages you will be invited to attend recruit training.
    • Recruit school is six weeks.
    • Essential training is nine weeks.
    • Law enforcement academy is 15 weeks.

By passing the pre-screening test, you will be added to a database to be notified when we hold a hiring process.