NEWS
Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - ECO Exam Now Open-Fees Waived by Governor Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the application period is now open for New York State’s entry-level law enforcement civil service exam. The exam is for interested, qualified applicants seeking a position throughout the state at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Office of State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the State University of New York (SUNY). Qualified candidates can apply online until 11:59 p.m. on August 14th 2024, to take the exam, scheduled for the fall. The difference for this NYS Civil Service Exam series is there is no cost to take the exam as all state exam application fees are waived through December, 2025.
There are approximately 150 entry-level law enforcement positions at DEC, State Parks, and SUNY anticipated statewide over the next year. The police series civil service exam is also used to fill positions in municipal police departments and sheriff's offices across the state.
Those interested in becoming police officers in New York State must first meet the minimum qualifications for the title or titles of interest, and register for the civil service exam by submitting all the required information by August 14th by using this link here or by visiting the NYS Civil Service website at https://www.cs.ny.gov/police/.
The entry-level law enforcement exam is used to fill the following state titles:
DEC - Environmental Conservation Police Officer Trainee 1 & Forest Ranger 1
Parks - Park Police Officer Trainee
SUNY - University Police Officer 1
To qualify to take the exam to become an Environmental Conservation Officer, you must have, or obtain the following experience/education:
Either:
1: a bachelor's or higher-level degree; OR
2: an associate degree; AND one of the following:
a. one year of experience in the areas of environmental engineering or environmental technology, freshwater or marine sciences, wildlife sciences, or forestry; OR
b. one year of experience as a police officer in New York State with Municipal Police Training Course certification (or equivalent course approved by the NYS Municipal Police Training Council). A certified Peace Officer Training course does not meet this requirement; OR
c. one year of experience as a certified federal law enforcement officer; OR
d. two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge or under conditions in the New York State Restoration of Honor Act; OR
3: three years of experience as a police officer in New York State with Municipal Police Training Course certification (or equivalent course approved by the NYS Municipal Police Training Council). *A Peace Officer Training course does not meet this requirement.
To take the Forest Ranger exam, you must have or obtain the following education/experience:
Either
1: an associate or higher-level degree in aquatic biology, conservation biology, environmental biology, wildlife biology, environmental and natural resource conservation, environmental engineering, fisheries and fisheries sciences and management, fish and wildlife technology, aquatic and fisheries science, forestry, forest engineering, forest management, forest resource management, forest resources production and management, forest sciences and biology, forest technology, land surveying technology, natural resource management, natural resources management and policy, wildlife science, wildlife fish and wildlands science and management, or any other associate or higher-level degree program accredited by the Society of American Foresters; OR
2: 60 college semester credit hours or higher including or supplemented by 24 college semester credit hours in coursework as described below; * OR
3: two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge or under conditions in the New York State Restoration of Honor Act AND two years of qualifying experience in forest management, fish and wildlife management, forest, fish, or wildlife interpretation in a wildland setting, or law enforcement in a park, forest, or wildland setting. **
ECO salaries start at $56,360.00. After a two-year traineeship their base salary becomes $70,404.00. Forest Rangers salaries begin at $59,298.00.
The police series exam will also be used to fill positions in municipal police departments and sheriff's offices. Candidates interested in taking local examinations for municipal police departments and sheriff's offices should apply directly through their local civil service agency.
A list of the local entry-level law enforcement examinations taking place is available using this link, here or by contacting the respective municipal civil service department.
Applicants can view more campaign content and additional information, including a test guide to prepare applicants for the exam by going to the following NYS Civil Service website; https://www.cs.ny.gov/police/.
On June 2, 2024 DEC began its 24th Basic School for Uniformed Officers with the newest class of Environmental Conservation Police Officer recruits. They are currently in the midst of their training at the academy in Pulaski, NY.
DEC Forest Rangers are also in training at their academy which began on May 19th 2024 in Wanakena, NY.
Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “DEC's Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers serve on the front lines to protect New York's environment, natural resources, and communities, and through Governor Hochul’s support and leadership, we are growing our forces of the future. I encourage all eligible candidates to take the State’s entry-level law enforcement civil service exam and join the revered ranks of Forest Rangers and ECOs in our efforts to safeguard New Yorkers and our environment.”
ECOs, originally called Game Protectors, were first appointed for service in 1880. The first Forest Rangers, originally known as Fire Wardens, were put into service in 1885 when the New York State Legislature established the Forest Preserve of New York State. ECO job duties are centered on the enforcement of New York State Environmental Conservation Law and range from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black-market illegal wildlife and pet trade, emissions violations, plus all manner of environmental quality enforcement. They patrol the state on vessels of all sizes, ATVs, snowmobiles, and on foot. In 2023, ECOs and Investigators across the state responded to nearly 31,000 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests.
Forest Ranger duties focus on the public's use of DEC-administered State lands and easements and can span from patrolling State properties to conducting search-and-rescue operations to fighting wildland fires. In 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests.
Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time!
News and Notes…
70th Annual Greene County Fair Opens in Cairo on Thursday, July 25th
Come and help celebrate the homespun fair’s 70th Anniversary. It’s the only county fair that has free admission in NYS. Be sure to go to the Trade Tent and stop by “Conservation Corner.” That’s where the DEC Trout Tank is and biologists are around to answer wildlife questions across from the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. That’s where 12-15-year-olds can sign-up for the free Youth Pheasant Hunt coming up in September. Slide down a bit and visit veteran hunter, Frank Algozine to learn everything you wanted to know about coyotes, and perhaps even some things you didn’t!
Norton Hill Wildlife Club’s 2024 Trap Shooting Schedule
Trap shooting at Norton Hill Wildlife Club at 946 Big Woods Road in Greenville begins at 10:00 am on the following Sundays: July 28th, August 4th and 25th, and on September 15th and 29th. Cost is just $5.00 per round. Bring your own ammo. Trap shooting is open to all; you don’t have to be a member to take advantage of this opportunity.
Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.