Are you interested in the field of resource conservation? The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) offers a variety of career opportunities. All are dedicated to, or support, the conservation of Mississippi's natural resources and the enhancement of outdoor recreation. These jobs require varied levels of education and experience.
Current openings at MDWFP include:
About this Position: This is a probationary, specialized trainee (Cadet) position for entry-level law enforcement, natural resources protection, and conservation training within the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The purpose of this position is to prepare the Cadet to become a Certified Conservation Officer. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Training Curriculum approved by the Board of Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training, an agency-defined specialized training program, and established requalification standards. Duty assignments may require the applicant to demonstrate swimming proficiency equivalent to the American Red Cross Basic Swimming skill standard. Upon successful completion of all required training and in-service requirements, the trainee (Cadet) will be reclassified as a Conservation Officer I / Law Enforcement Officer I (Private). Conservation Officer Cadets are required to attend both the Mississippi Conservation Officer Training Academy and the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy. While enrolled, cadets participate in daily physical training and complete a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for careers in law enforcement and natural resource protection. Instruction includes state and federal laws related to wildlife conservation, boating laws and regulations, traffic laws, and other felony and misdemeanor criminal statutes. Training also covers defensive tactics and self-defense techniques, firearms handling and safety, defensive driving skills, and water survival tactics. In addition to law enforcement instruction, cadets study biological concepts and participate in laboratory sessions focused on fish and wildlife native to Mississippi. Classroom learning is reinforced through hands-on training scenarios that allow cadets to apply their knowledge in realistic field situations.
What You'll Need to be Successful: To be successful, Conservation Officers must possess a solid working knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations related to the enforcement and protection of our state’s natural resources. They must demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to public trust through both their words and actions. Excellent customer and constituent service skills are essential. Officers must be able to communicate with the public clearly and professionally, using a knowledgeable, precise, and, when necessary, disarming tone. Strong writing skills are also required to ensure that all written correspondence is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. A successful employee exhibits strong work ethic—productive, diligent, conscientious, timely, and loyal. Proficiency with job-related tools such as firearms, vehicles, ATVs, and boats is necessary to perform duties efficiently. Conservation Officers are expected to work 160 hours within a 28-day pay period, which frequently includes weekends.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires 60 semester hours of college, possession of a State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification within six months of hire, and 0-2 years of experience in law enforcement. Agency qualifications: Reference Mississippi Code 1972, annotated, § 49-1-15: (1) All appointments of conservation officers shall be under rules adopted and promulgated by the commission. No person shall be appointed from and after July 1, 2001, unless he meets the following requirements: (a) Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age; and (b) Has successfully completed sixty-four (64) semester hours at an accredited community college or university or has an associate degree from an accredited community college or has passed the Law Enforcement Academy and has at least two (2) years’ experience in law enforcement. (2) Each applicant, prior to entering into performance of his duties, at the expense of the department, shall attend and complete an appropriate curriculum in the field of law enforcement at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy or other training academy whose curriculum complies with requirements of the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Conservation officers shall, on a periodic basis, be required to successfully complete additional advanced courses in law enforcement in order that they will be properly improved and trained in the modern, technical advances of law enforcement. Applicants must provide the employment agency with evidence of meeting the education or experience requirements, including a valid copy of their transcript to verify coursework, when applicable. Applicants must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of appointment and must have successfully completed sixty-four (64) semester hours at an accredited community college or university, hold an associate degree from an accredited community college, or have completed a Law Enforcement Academy and possess at least two (2) years of law enforcement experience. Applicants must possess a valid Mississippi Driver’s License or a valid driver’s license from a contiguous state and meet all minimum employment standards established by the Board of Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training. Candidates must have no convictions or pleas of guilty or nolo contendere for any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude and must not have been discharged under conditions other than honorable from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. A favorable background investigation is required. Upon appointment and at scheduled intervals, applicants must pass a physical examination conducted by a licensed physician and meet minimum physical qualification standards, as well as pass an examination to determine mental fitness for the position. Applicants must also pass alcohol and drug screenings conducted by a certified laboratory upon appointment and on a random-selection basis. Each applicant who successfully meets these requirements will be interviewed by an applicant interview board prior to enrollment in a training school. Additionally, at the discretion of the Executive Director, applicants may be required to undergo further evaluation by psychiatrists, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, or other qualified professionals who may assist in the interview process.
- Salary: $38,203.64 (Annually)
- Open Date: 2/17/2026
- Closing Date: 3/17/2026 11:59 PM
- Apply Here