Department of Civil Service

Starting Salary

$53,483

As an Environmental Conservation Police Officer Trainee 1, you will participate in a two-year traineeship leading to salary grade 15.

After successfully completing…	Your salary will be
30 weeks of the traineeship	$56,360
One year of the traineeship	$59,298
The two year traineeship	$72,468*

*This includes all contractual wages.

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,520 annual downstate adjustment. In addition, appointees who work in the following locations will receive an additional supplemental local pay in the following amounts: the counties of Orange, Putnam and Dutchess - $1,266; the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland, and Westchester Counties - $1,900; and Nassau and Suffolk Counties - $2,217.

**Additionally, appointees who work in the mid-Hudson region (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, or Westchester counties) or downstate region (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau or Suffolk counties) may receive up to an additional $15,000 geographic pay differential.

Where the Positions are Located

Environmental Conservation Police Officer positions exist at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are located throughout the state.

Duties

As an Environmental Conservation Police Officer Trainee, you will participate in a residential formal training program lasting about 29 weeks. Upon successful completion of this training program, you will be assigned to a patrol area, most likely in a downstate location. After assignment, you will perform enforcement work under close and continuous supervision. You will be a sworn police officer involved in the enforcement of environmental conservation law in order to protect the State’s natural resources and environment. You will investigate complaints in order to detect and document both State and Federal environmental conservation law felonies, misdemeanors, and violations. You will meet with school groups, service groups, regulated community and hunter’s and angler’s clubs to promote compliance with environmental conservation law, which includes fish and wildlife law. At times, you will be expected to work long and irregular hours on outdoor patrols. You will be required to carry a firearm. You will be assigned a notebook computer and be required to use it daily to transmit information, forms, and reports to supervisory staff. Required uniform clothing and necessary equipment will be provided by the Department. After appointment, you will be required to work out of your home and be accessible to all parts of your patrol area. The location of your residence will have to be within your assigned patrol area and be acceptable to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Pursuant to Public Officers Law, New York State residency must be maintained.

Additional Requirements for Appointment

You must meet the below requirements to be appointed and for continued employment.

Background Investigation: Because of the nature of the position there is an investigative screening that will include a thorough character investigation, including a polygraph. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony will bar appointment. Misdemeanors or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.

Driver's License Requirement: You must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

Drug Testing:Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a drug screening test and are responsible for the clinical lab fee. Failure to meet these standards may result in your disqualification. Environmental Conservation Police Officers and trainees regardless of rank are subject to random drug testing. Refusals can subject the employee to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Cannabis use is not permitted for employees in this title. Cannabis use will be tested for during the pre-employment screening process and may be the basis for disqualification for employment or may be a basis for removal from employment.” A complete statement for drug testing for this title can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm

Fingerprinting and Fee Requirements: Fingerprinting is required prior to appointment. You will be required to pay the processing fee.

Firearms: You must be legally eligible to carry firearms. Conviction of a felony will bar appointment and a misdemeanor may bar appointment.

Physical/Medical Requirements: Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include but are not limited to: uncorrected distant visual acuity not less than 20/40 in each eye; corrected distant visual acuity better than or equal to 20/30 (Snellen) in each eye. You must also have satisfactory color vision perception. You will also be tested for satisfactory physical strength and coordination. You will be required to demonstrate the necessary physical fitness to perform the duties of the position of Environmental Conservation Police Officer. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm .

A medical examination will be required prior to appointment, and you are responsible for payment of the clinical laboratory test fee. Appointees to this position may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to reassess their ability to perform the essential duties of the position.

Physical Skills and Abilities Testing: If you are considered for appointment, your physical skills and abilities will be evaluated through tests of strength, agility, flexibility, endurance, and swimming. These physical skills and abilities tests will be conducted by the Department of Environmental Conservation. To obtain a statement of the requirements of these tests, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Law Enforcement at 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-2560, or call 518-402-8829. You may also email Basic.school@dec.ny.gov This information can also be found on our webpage: https://www.dec.ny.gov./about/746.html .

Probation: If you are appointed, but your conduct or performance during the traineeship is found to be unsatisfactory, the Department of Environmental Conservation may terminate your employment at any time.

Psychological Evaluation: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a psychological evaluation to determine your fitness to perform the essential duties of the position. You will be responsible for any fees outside the initial testing process.

Tattoo Policy: You must comply with the Department of Environmental Conservation’s, Division of Law Enforcement policy which requires all members to present a neat and professional appearance at all times. Tattoos shall not be visible while a member is in uniform. The uniform consists of a short sleeve shirt open at the front of the neck and, in the warmer months, shorts. Presence of a visible tattoo may bar appointment. Members with tattoos on their arms who desire to wear a short sleeve shirt when authorized, may utilize matching flesh colored sleeves to conceal any tattoos on their arms. Such sleeves will be provided at the member’s expense and will cover all visible tattoos from the wrist to the shirt sleeve worn. For additional information regarding this policy, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Law Enforcement at (518) 402-8829. You may also email Basic.school@dec.ny.gov .

United State Citizenship and New York State Residency: At appointment you must be at least 21 years old. Although not required for taking the test, you must be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment. If appointed, you must also possess and maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law.

If you are interested in an examination for this position, visit the Careers Opportunites in New York State Law Enforcement page for further information on how to apply.

Issued 7/1/2022
**Amended 8/9/2022