Description
Patrol public lands and waters to enforce natural resource and recreation laws, protect ecosystems and public safety, investigate damage and environmental crimes, and collect field data to support resource management.
- • Patrol assigned lands and waters by vehicle, boat, aircraft, horse, bicycle, or on foot to enforce natural resource and recreation laws.
- • Protect and conserve wildlife, vegetation, water, and habitats.
- • Deliver outdoor, boating, off-highway vehicle (OHV), and fire-safety education.
- • Provide assistance to local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement as required.
- • Address community groups, schools, and media on conservation, access rules, and responsible recreation.
- • Recommend updates to resource management plans, access rules, and enforcement strategies.
- • Inspect timber, grazing, mining, outfitting, boating, and recreation operations for permit and environmental compliance.
- • Collect and report field data on wildlife, vegetation, water quality, invasive species, and environmental conditions.
- • Survey public use and resource conditions to evaluate management effectiveness.
- • Investigate habitat damage, pollution, illegal dumping, timber theft, or trespass; advise landowners on preventive measures.
- • Design or implement mitigation, restoration, erosion control, and access management measures.
- • Document resource or property damage and prepare loss estimates or restitution recommendations.
- • Supervise seasonal crews, interns, or volunteers.
- • Issue licenses, permits, and access passes.
- • Provide information and assistance to visitors and resource users.
- • Assist with facilities and trail maintenance; control weeds or pests.
- • Compile and present evidence for administrative or court actions.
- • Investigate environmental crimes, resource theft, accidents, and land-use violations.
- • Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
- • Serve warrants and make arrests.
- • Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
- • Arrange for disposition of seized natural resources or contraband.
- • Seize equipment and materials used in natural resource violations.
- • Support wildland firefighting and all-hazard emergency response.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
