LOUISVILLE, Ky. — We are coming to the end of the boating season and the beginning of the hunting season here in the Commonwealth. In turn, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is searching for new conservation officers.

Employers across the country and here in Kentucky have been struggling to fill open positions, and Fish & Wildlife is no different.

The department said they’re looking for more conservation officers—officers who will fulfill duties such as making sure people comply with boating, hunting and fishing laws, as well as ensuring the state’s waterways are safe and assisting other agencies during natural disasters.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife can take up to 10 officers for this newest class, but that’s not even touching the surface because they have 20 openings across the state. Colonel Eric Gibson, the director of law enforcement for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said the job is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

“It takes a well-rounded individual to fill our role and to understand the mission of the agency, but also keeping public safety at the forefront of our mind. We don’t look overlook those opportunities to protect and serve the citizens of the Commonwealth. We have a mission focus, but we are certified police officers,” said Gibson.

Gibson says there are overwhelming misconceptions about the job, but all conservation officers are sworn in law enforcement with statewide jurisdiction.

Successful applicants will undergo 20 weeks of basic training at the Department of Criminal Justice in Richmond and another 12 weeks of training in the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Academy. New hires will then be placed with a field-training officer for the final 12 weeks of training.

All interested applicants should click here for requirements and the application when it opens Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.

The push for new workers comes after the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife swore in 8 new conservation officers on Wednesday of this week in Frankfort.