Conservation Officer???

[hplayer13]

I want to get into the DNR or Fish & Game as a career, but have a question. Anyone know the typical Conservation Officer's yearly salary? This won't make or break my plans but just wondering.

[kotz21]

Go to www.michigan.gov/dnr (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr) and go to law enforcement and check it out...

[jiggineyes]

Michigan is one of the lowest in the country. They have more juristiction but about half the pay as a state trooper! Go figure! I was checking it out a few weeks ago. Avg. starting wage is about 34K! Need Assoc degree, then take MCOLES! Then find a position!

[foxriver6]

Actually pay for a CO is about average compared to what other natural resource LEOs make throughout the country. Yes COs make less than state troopers but the difference is about $2 an hour. One could argue that the perks of a flex schedule, take home vehicle, home office, etc makes up for the pay difference.
$35K is what a recruit, a CO in training makes. Field CO's make 42K-55K annual not including OT

[jiggineyes]

I did the research. Im working on my assoc right now to get into being a CO. Avg starting salary for MI is about 4k less then OH,IL,MN, and WI. Salary range for a MI CO is something like 34k-66K. State trooper is like mid 40s to90K.

[jiggineyes]

The MCOA will utilize the ten agencies closest to MDNR LED based on staffing levels along with MSP and
compare base wage scales, overtime availability, retirement system, years of service required to retire with full
benefits and any employer sponsored optional investment plans offered.
Agency Name Base Wage
Min – Max
W/O Promotion
O.T. Available Retirement
System
Service
Time
Required
Optional /
Additional
Investment
MDNR Law Enforcement Div. $29,307 - $54,184 Minimal
Varies by budget
Deferred
Compensation
30 N/A
Michigan State Police Troopers $41,329 - $60,798 100 hrs +/- Defined Benefit
@ 60%
25 Yes
Macomb County Sheriff Dept. $45,246 - $57,745 100-200 hrs + Defined Benefit
2.64multiplier
= 66%
25 Yes
Lansing Police Dept. $38,681 - $55,622 Varies on
operational needs
Defined Benefit
3.2 multiplier
= 80%
25 No
**Kalamazoo Dept. Public Safety $42,828 - $57,941 160 hrs a month w/
approval
Defined
Contribution
26 Yes
Kent County Sheriff Dept. $43,825 - $61,235 400+ Defined Benefit
2.5 multiplier
= 62%
25 Yes
Warren Police Dept. $45,910 - $65,368 200+ Defined Benefit
@ 80%
25 Yes
**Dearborn Police Dept. $42,127 - $59,538 Avg. $10K + yr Defined
Contribution
N/A N/A
Sterling Heights Police Dept. $43,908 - $74,426 100 hrs +
w/approval
Defined Benefit
2.8 multiplier
= 70%
25 Yes
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Dept. $42,016 - $59,675 10% above top pay Defined
Contribution
25 N/A
Ann Arbor Police Dept. $41,017 - $58,572 N/A Defined Benefit
2.75 multiplier
= 68%
25 Yes
**Southfield Police Dept. $41,032 - $65,241 N/A Defined Benefit
2.8 multiplier,
70% Max
20 Yes
**NOTES**
**Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department utilizes a Defined Contribution Pension Plan owned by their union where
the employer contributes 16% of an officers gross pay into a Trust type investment plan. Upon retirement, the
officer has the option to remove their investment or allow it to remain in the plan.
**Dearborn Police Department is in the process of switching back to Defined Benefit pension (MERS B4 plan = 2.5
multiplier = 62%) due to expense of Defined Contribution plan. Dearborn officials indicated to many new officers

This is avg. salaries between different agacies in the State of MI. Compared to all the other agencies. The co definetely gets the short end of the stick!

[foxriver6]

There are many reasons sheriff deputies, city/township police officers and state troopers come to the DNR. Here's some things to consider:
COs are in 83 counties, sure they don't make more than some of their metro area city police officer counterparts, but in most counties, especially rural counties, their salary is equal to or greater than the local LEOs. Add the fact that COs make their own hours and have take home patrol vehicles, quads, boats, snowmobiles etc...its not a bad career.

[jiggineyes]

You are 100% correct! My point was I cant understand why they get paid less!:rant: Its not stopping me! Its my dream job and Im working on it!

[DiversWelcome]

Just a little side note, if you really like to hunt and fish this is not the job that you want. I have a couple friends that are CO's and they really don't get to hunt or fish anymore that much because they are always working the days that people are out. For instance opening day of deer season, trout season, duck season ect.. Just food for thought. Another thing is that currently the DNR is trying to do more lateral hires, because the officers from other agencies already have law enforcement training, getting new people in this way is really hard because the state does not provide a defined benefit for its employees anymore and most municipalities do at least for the time being. This probably won't change either because the reason that a lot of municipalities do it is because their officers are always coming into harms way. Where in the state the prison guards, child protection workers, prison counselors etc could all make the same case.

[Linda G.]

That it's hard, dirty, cold, wet, and often dangerous work...with hours spent out in the pouring rain or brutal cold on a stake out that never happens, with death threats to your family almost routine, with your neighbors afraid to relax and have a good time around you.

But the worst part of being a CO, I'm sure, is dealing almost constantly with the morons that are out there and seeing and watching what they are doing, every minute of every day, that hurts our environment and wildlife.

Not to mention having to put up with the politics in the Michigan DNR and how they make it very difficult to do your job properly.

I know quite a few of them, and have had the good fortune to call several very good friends. Best thing any of them ever did, they told me, was retire.

They get paid less, jiggin, because in the general public's eye what they're doing doesn't really count. Very few people know they have more authority than a regular law enforcement officer, and most CO's don't get a third the respect they deserve. After all, these people say, how important is a game warden.

[jiggineyes]

With all those reasons... comes benefits. Protecting the thing that is most important to you. Keeping people that ruin it for true sportsman from breaking the laws. Spending my day at work in the feild looking at the things I love instead of a desk all the time!:D

[hplayer13]

your friends get death threats? seems a bit of a stretch, but i guess there are crazies out there

[Linda G.]

I could give you the names of at least four CO's who have had their families threatened, as well as themselves. I don't know if it happens often anymore, but it used to happen all the time, especially in the UP.

Poaching is sometimes taken very serously by the poacher as well as the law. And never underestimate the insanity of the human race.

If you make it far enough to be screened, they'll tell you, I'm sure. Far more than you might ever want to hear.

Yes, it's admirable work...but lots of jobs are like that. Don't ever forget it's a job. You're not John the Baptist, and you won't be treated like it.

[The Nailer]

Just a little side note, if you really like to hunt and fish this is not the job that you want. .

That's pretty good advice, the old adage is never try to make a living at a hobby your passionate about or you'll have to look for a new hobby!

[hplayer13]

i guess every job has its ups and downs. I know that in Alaska the Fish & Game fellas actually will go out and dress in normal clothes and fish, just waiting for fisherman to get illegal snags etc.. It varies state to state but that would a hell of a place to be, I go fishing there every summer and it's amazing

[Linda G.]

Just ask anyone who's ever fished Tippy...LOL

But you have to understand, they're not really fishing, or rather, trying to...they're watching everybody else out there while they're on the water. That's what they're doing there, not fishing, and when that's the case, you don't really enjoy it. You just have a fishing rod in your hand.

[hplayer13]

haha well not the warden in alaska. he limited out, then wrote up a guy down the river. listen, i appreciate you telling me all the "facts" but it seems like its all negative and i don't really need that

[mjayeh]

haha well not the warden in alaska. he limited out, then wrote up a guy down the river. listen, i appreciate you telling me all the "facts" but it seems like its all negative and i don't really need that

What it boils down to if you are passionate and want to pursue a career as a CO, then do it. I really don't think folks are trying to be negative, just wanting share what experiences they may have had. As stated, every job has it's perks and well as drawbacks ... it's really hard to find a balance. I wish you good luck in your career quest. :D

[layedout]

I tell ya, i started to go to school for it, ended up backing out of it, and i am glad i did. The jobs are very slow right now, i have a buddy that works for the state and he says its pretty bad.

If your worried about money, then choose a different path, pay isn't bad, but its really not that great for they type of work. Expect to work on most of your planned hunting days, esp openers. Good luck! Where are you thinking of going to school?

[det07]

haha well not the warden in alaska. he limited out, then wrote up a guy down the river. listen, i appreciate you telling me all the "facts" but it seems like its all negative and i don't really need that

Good luck to you. It has always been my dream to work as a CO however I just got a job in corrections and really enjoy it. I may end up in law enforcement eventually but for right now I am staying put. Bring in all the dirt bags you can find. Job security!

[JWICKLUND]

Just a little side note, if you really like to hunt and fish this is not the job that you want. I have a couple friends that are CO's and they really don't get to hunt or fish anymore that much because they are always working the days that people are out. For instance opening day of deer season, trout season, duck season ect.. Just food for thought. Another thing is that currently the DNR is trying to do more lateral hires, because the officers from other agencies already have law enforcement training, getting new people in this way is really hard because the state does not provide a defined benefit for its employees anymore and most municipalities do at least for the time being. This probably won't change either because the reason that a lot of municipalities do it is because their officers are always coming into harms way. Where in the state the prison guards, child protection workers, prison counselors etc could all make the same case.

Their is still plenty of time to hunt and fish. Some openers are harder to get off than others (ie Firearm Deer) but you stil get 2 days off a week and 1 weekend off each month. Sometimes if you are lucky, those days fall on openers. :)