(Provided by MDNR)

The Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division is actively seeking recruits for its next conservation officer academy, which begins July 16, 2017, at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Dimondale.

"The DNR, an equal opportunity employer, is seeking a diverse applicant pool, including military veterans," said Sgt. Jason Wicklund, recruit school commander.

Certain criteria apply. All recruit applicants must:

• Be able to lawfully possess a firearm in Michigan.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Be at least 21 years of age before graduation from the academy.
• Become a resident of the state of Michigan by completion of the Probationary Training Program.
• Possess a valid Michigan driver's license.
• Possess a satisfactory driving record.
• Possess a clean criminal record absent of any felony convictions.
• Submit to a thorough background investigation measuring the applicant's suitability for law enforcement work.
• Be able to pass the MCOLES physical fitness test.

To apply, complete the online application https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers. When submitting an application, download and complete the Job Fit Questionnaire and Location Preference Sheet found in the "Additional Requirements and Information" section of the "Description" tab. Attach completed Job Fit Questionnaire, Location Preference Sheet, cover letter and resume to the application. Applicants not completing and submitting all requested materials will be screened from the process. The State of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, age, disability or other factors prohibited by law.

Recruits are classified as State of Michigan employees during the academy and receive pay for their training. The 22-week academy culminates in graduation and is then followed by an additional 20 weeks of field training throughout the state while paired with experienced conservation officers.

At the completion of training, the new officers are assigned to one of the state's 83 counties where they will work and live.

"DNR conservation officers serve a distinct role in Michigan's law enforcement community," Wicklund said. "They are certified police officers with the authority to enforce all Michigan's laws."

Conservation officers have unique training in a wide variety of areas related to the protection of Michigan's citizens and natural resources. This includes extensive training in game, fish, and trapping enforcement and recreational safety and enforcement.

They also receive extensive training in firearms, precision and off-road driving and survival tactics.

Conservation officers also serve the public in life-saving capacities, including ice-rescue, search and rescue and first-aid. Often, and especially in rural communities, they are the first to respond to an emergency.

For more information on the application process and how to apply http://www.michigan.gov/dnr to the conservation officer academy, contact Sgt. John Meka at mekaj@michigan.gov or 517-284-6499. To learn more about the conservation officer hiring process, visit www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers and click on the link below the "Hiring Process" subheading.

Learn more about the academy by reading the 2016 Conservation Officer Academy blogs for Recruit School No. 7. Visit www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers and click on "Conservation Officer Academy" under the "Hiring Process" subheading to read about each week of training, view training photos and watch videos of recruits persevering.

Subscribe to the conservation officer academy blog https://public.govdelivery.com, also posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page, which follows these new officers during their challenges and accomplishments throughout field-training and beyond. Intermittent posts continue past graduation.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more about Michigan conservation officers at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.