Job Description

Introduction

We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection within the Wisconsin DNR, is hiring approximately ten LTE (Limited Term Employee) Community Service Officers for the following locations:

High Cliff State Park - Available headquarters include Sherwood, Oshkosh, Appleton, or Chilton.

Council Grounds State Park/Rib Mountain State Park - Available headquarters include Wausau or Merrill, WI. Additional workstations may be considered.

Door County State Parks – Headquarters in either Sturgeon Bay or Fish Creek.

Northern Highlands State Forest – Headquarters in either Boulder Junction or Woodruff.

Interstate State Park – Headquarters in St. Croix Falls, WI.

Pattinson and Amnicon State Parks – Headquarters in Superior, WI.

Willow River State Park – Headquarters in Hudson, WI.

Governor Dodge State Park – Headquarters in Dodgeville, WI.

Mississippi River Team – Headquarters in La Crosse, WI.

Kettle Moraine State Forest – Headquarters in Eagle, WI.

Richard Bong State Recreational Area – Headquarters in Kansasville, WI.

Considering a career in natural resources law enforcement? The Community Service Officers (CSO) position is for you!

These positions will start on May 18th, 2026. Alternative start dates cannot be accommodated. The positions are expected to work through the summer and end on or around September 5th, 2026.

Applicants must be 18 years of age prior to the start date above. Selected applicants can expect to receive a job offer the first full week in April 2026.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs).

Position Summary

Community Service Officers are primarily responsible for facilitating customer service and public safety via education and outreach efforts within their designated administrative area or state-owned properties such as parks, forests, trails, and other lands managed by the Wisconsin DNR. Specifically, these positions will provide recreation management education, assistance with resource protection, and manage public safety through collaboration with local conservation wardens (law enforcement officers) within the assigned area.

50% Provide education, outreach, and excellent customer service to all resource users

• Educate customers on the safe and wise use of our natural resources and how to recreate safely
• Communicate with the public (via contacts, education programs, etc.) to promote awareness and knowledge of natural resources and state properties
• Educate public regarding natural resources rules; providing information and resources to visitors recreating within assigned areas
• Develop preventative programs and activities to maximize voluntary compliance with rules and regulations using proactive, problem-solving and rule enforcement philosophies

20% Assist law enforcement officers (Conservation Wardens, sheriff departments, police) within assigned area or on DNR managed properties to maintain public safety

• Identify and report public safety issues, concerns, and illegal activity
• Resolve visitor issues and address low-level conflicts between users
• Issue verbal warnings to promote compliance with applicable rules to ensure the safety of visitors
• Perform off-road recreational vehicle checks and education

20% Training and Administrative Duties, to include completing required trainings and reports (expense, time and fleet, financial and business records, etc.)

10% Assist Conservation Wardens in educating users about natural resource laws pertaining to aquatic invasive species and diseases.

Salary Information

These positions pay $21.00 per hour and are in the Natural Resources Educator classification in pay schedule and range 15-04. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.

Job Details

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.

More about LTE positions:

1) Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.

2) Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job.

3) May accommodate flexibility for part-time or full-time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

4) Allow individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for maximum of 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.

Special Requirements:

1) Residency: To be considered for this position, you must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin.

A Wisconsin resident is a person who:

a. Has established a residence, as defined in s. 6.10(1), in this state not less than 10 days earlier;

b. Has resided in this state for not less than a total of one year out of the immediately preceding 5 years;

c. Is eligible to register to vote in this state; or

d. Is the spouse of a person meeting the requirements of par. (a), (b), or (c).” s.230.03(12), Wis. Stats.

2) Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

3) Eligible to work in U.S.: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility I-9 form upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Qualifications

In addition to the meeting the minimal qualifications and requirements below, the selected candidate must be eligible to drive a state vehicle and meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
• Have not had three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years
• Have no OWI/DUI violations within the past year

Important: Please make sure to describe all of the following qualifications you possess within your resume and/or letter of qualifications in order to be considered for this position. Please limit these documents to two (2) pages each.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Interest in working in natural resources/the outdoors
• Customer service experience (answering customer questions, assisting customers, etc.)
• Experience communicating with diverse groups, either in personal or professional setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in a future career in the natural resources or law enforcement related career fields
• Experience explaining policies, rules, or business practices to customers who are not currently following those policies, rules or practices

Additional Requirements:

• Selected candidates are required to pass a reference based and fingerprint-based background check
• Selected candidates must be able to start on May 18th, 2026 and attend a one week training.

How To Apply

Click the “Apply for Job” button and follow the directions. You will be able to save your application as many times as needed and make edits up until the point you submit your application. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

Please note that the Wiscjobs system will time you out after 30 minutes of activity, so be sure to save your work often to avoid having to re-start the application process.

For any position-related questions, please feel free to contact a recruiter at DNRLERecruitment@wisconsin.gov.

For technical questions and troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please visit Commonly Asked Questions. Keep in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.

Your resume and letter of qualifications are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here .

Deadline to Apply

Applications must be received by 11:59pm, Central Time, on February 2nd, 2026 in order to be considered.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Permanent employment, Full time, Part time, Summer work, Seasonal work, Local area, Immediate start, Visa sponsorship, Work visa, Monday to Friday,

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