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Conservation Officer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Mesabi Metallics

Environmental Field Technician I

MN · On-site

$28 - $32/hr

The technician will work closely with environmental engineers, safety officers, and field personnel ... and biodiversity conservation. * Collaboration: Work closely with environmental consultants ...

All JobsConservation Officer JobsConservation Officer Jobs in Minnesota

Conservation Officer information

See Minnesota salary details

$23K

$74.4K

$178.7K

How much do conservation officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for conservation officer in Minnesota is $74,366.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,200.00 and $96,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a conservation officer?

Conservation Officers are law enforcement professionals responsible for protecting natural resources, wildlife, and public lands. They enforce environmental laws, educate the public about conservation, and ensure compliance with regulations related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Conservation Officers often patrol parks, forests, and waterways, investigate environmental crimes, and collaborate with other agencies to promote sustainable resource use. Their work helps preserve ecosystems and maintain biodiversity for future generations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a conservation officer?

To thrive as a Conservation Officer, you need a solid understanding of environmental science, wildlife management, and law enforcement, typically backed by a relevant degree and sometimes POST certification. Familiarity with GIS mapping, evidence collection tools, and regulatory databases is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication are vital for interacting with the public and resolving conflicts. These skills ensure the effective protection of natural resources, enforcement of environmental laws, and productive community engagement.

What are some common challenges conservation officers face in the field and how can they prepare for them?

Conservation Officers often encounter challenging situations such as working in remote locations, dealing with unpredictable weather, and interacting with individuals who may be violating environmental laws. They must be prepared for physical demands, potential confrontations, and the need to make quick decisions under pressure. Staying physically fit, continuously updating knowledge of laws and local ecosystems, and participating in regular training can greatly help Conservation Officers navigate these challenges safely and effectively.

What is the difference between Conservation Officer vs Wildlife Technician?

AspectConservation OfficerWildlife Technician
Required CredentialsEnvironmental or natural resource degree, certifications in conservationWildlife biology or related degree, field-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, community outreach, enforcement activitiesField surveys, data collection, habitat management
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, conservation organizationsResearch institutions, wildlife agencies, NGOs

Both Conservation Officers and Wildlife Technicians work in natural environments and require related degrees. Conservation Officers often focus on enforcement and community engagement, while Wildlife Technicians primarily handle field data collection and habitat management. They share similar certifications and work in overlapping settings, but their roles differ in scope and responsibilities.

Is becoming a conservation officer hard?

Becoming a conservation officer typically requires completing relevant education such as a degree in environmental science, wildlife management, or a related field, along with passing physical and written exams. The job can be competitive and often involves on-the-job training, certifications, and experience in law enforcement or natural resource management.

What degree do you need to be a conservation officer?

Conservation officers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science, wildlife management, biology, or a related field. Relevant skills include knowledge of local ecosystems, law enforcement, and often certification in first aid or law enforcement training, depending on the jurisdiction.

What does a conservation officer do?

A conservation officer enforces laws and regulations related to wildlife, natural resources, and environmental protection. They conduct patrols, investigate violations, educate the public, and may require certifications in law enforcement or environmental science. Their work often involves outdoor activity and collaboration with agencies to preserve ecosystems.
More about Conservation Officer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Conservation Officer jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Conservation Officer jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Conservation Officer jobs in Minnesota?

For Conservation Officer jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Conservation Officer jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Conservation Officer jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Conservation Officer jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Conservation Officer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Conservation Officer jobs in MN?

For Conservation Officer jobs in MN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Conservation Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Conservation Officer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,366 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Director of Policy & Advocacy

Eureka Recycling

Minneapolis, MN • On-site, Remote

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Description

DIRECTOR OF POLICY & ADVOCACY


Date: August 2026

Terms: Regular full-time, exempt; may be eligible for limited remote work

Compensation: $80,000-$90,000 annually, depending on experience

Benefits: 100% paid health insurance for the employee, life insurance, and long-term disability. (Other insurance lines available at a shared or employee cost). PTO and paid holidays.

Reports to: Co-President, CEO


Eureka Recycling is a nonprofit, social enterprise organization and an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer in word and action. We deeply value diversity because we understand that unique and varied perspectives are essential to be able to achieve our mission and live our values. These organizational values are thoroughly felt and experienced in every workday at Eureka Recycling-Visionary Leadership, Strong Teams and Community, Respect, Caring and Wholeness, Sustaining and Enduring, and Honesty and Integrity.


PRIMARY PURPOSE

This position leads the organization's policy advocacy, coalition engagement, and strategic communications efforts, with the goal of driving systemic change toward a more stable climate, stronger regional economies, and healthier, more just communities.

Reporting to the Co-President and CEO, and working in close collaboration with both Co-Presidents, this role is deeply embedded in efforts to elevate the organization's voice, visibility, and influence. The Director of Policy and Advocacy helps to shape and direct Eureka's public policy work at local, regional, and national level. This includes developing advocacy campaigns, cultivating community and policy partnerships, advancing legislation, coordinating coalition efforts, and leading messaging strategies. This position also plays a key role in impact tracking related to advocacy and communications.

In partnership with the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers (AMBR), which is fiscally sponsored by Eureka, this position supports shared messaging, national campaigns, and systems change initiatives that reflect the operational and mission-based expertise of AMBR's member organizations.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Key Responsibilities


Policy Advocacy, Government Relations, Coalition Leadership

  • In close collaboration with the Co-Presidents, develop and implement Eureka's policy and advocacy strategies across local, state, and national arenas.
  • Cultivate relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and partner organizations.
  • Monitor and analyze legislation, rulemaking, and regulatory trends impacting waste, recycling, reuse, packaging, plastics, and environmental justice.
  • Draft position statements, testimony, comment letters, and advocacy materials in collaboration with partners and with input from the Co-Presidents and staff.
  • Lead Eureka's role in convening and coordinating the MN Zero Waste Coalition.
  • Serve as a policy advisor for AMBR, guiding the national policy strategy by aligning member priorities, identifying emerging legislative opportunities and threats and coordinating policy responses, and representing AMBR in national advocacy spaces to advance mission-aligned systems change.
  • Represent Eureka Recycling and AMBR in coalitions, working groups, and other collaborative advocacy efforts, advancing organizational priorities and building alignment with partners on shared policy goals.

Mission Engagement

  • Foster internal mission alignment by communicating advocacy and campaign priorities.
  • Provide tools, updates, and messaging support to help staff and partners articulate the mission and impact of the organization.
  • Integrate values of equity, environmental justice, and zero waste into all aspects of work.
  • Partner with the Co-Presidents to ensure public narratives and external relationships reflect and strengthen organizational priorities and impact.
  • In partnership with the Co-Presidents, lead the strategic visioning for recycling and zero waste events, such as the Zero Waste Fest (or similar convening), setting goals, themes, and desired outcomes that align with Eureka's and the MN Zero Waste Coalition's mission and policy priorities. Lead in planning and executing the event, including programming, partner engagement, speaker coordination, and logistics that reflect values of justice, accessibility, and community impact.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND WORKING CONDITIONS


Minimum Qualifications:

  • 5-7 years of experience in public policy and community advocacy, educating and working with both community advocates and legislators.
  • Ability to embrace, understand, and commit to Eureka's mission and culture and inform its goals and strategies. A commitment to the environment, resource conservation, and environmental justice issues, and working within a community-based organization with a diverse constituency.
  • 2-3 years of experience as a supervisor
  • Excellent communications skills, including the ability to listen, foster dialogue, facilitate conversations, negotiate, present to audiences, and share critical messages in a compelling way.
  • Strong writer with a proven ability to develop and adapt key messages and content.
  • Demonstrated success in a highly collaborative culture with the ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and collaborate with internal and external partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize and direct multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and with minimal supervision/a high degree of self-accountability.

Working Conditions

Working conditions are normal for an office environment, limited remote work may be eligible.


Affirmative Action Policy Statement:

Eureka ensures equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants, prohibiting discrimination or harassment based on various factors, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, marital status, public assistance status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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