Good communication and analytical skills, adaptability, flexibility and comfort with computers usually are necessary also. Good health and physical stamina may be required for field work. Summer employment is often a good way to gain entry into this type of work. Working Conditions Conservation and fishery officers work outdoors in forested and wildlife areas and along rivers, streams and coastal waterways. Considerable office work is also required to maintain records and habitat data.
Hours can be very long, especially during fisheries openings or the hunting season.
There were an estimated 780 fishery and conservation officers working in B.C. in 1998, only slightly more than the 740 workers employed in 1990. Since government is the only employer of fishery and conservation officers, there is virtually no opportunity for self-employment in these occupations. The seasonal nature of the work is associated with the large portion of part-year workers in this field. The unemployment rate is about the same as the average for all occupations. Under the classification system used for this publication, this occupational group is limited to those workers hired by government to enforce fishery and wildlife regulations.