Positions in this classification serve as armed and uniformed police officers assigned to a geographic area on state owned lands.  Positions independently plan, organize, conduct enforcement efforts, work with outside law enforcement agencies to reduce criminal activity or oversee special recreational events on DNR lands and conduct complex criminal and civil investigations such as:  Narcotics investigations involving drug trafficking organizations as well as meth labs; special forest products and specialty wood investigations; aquatic and wild land fire investigations including complex arson cases; auto theft and fraud investigations; and environmental investigations involving dumping of hazardous materials. Positions work independently to enforce federal and state laws, taking appropriate action when illegal activity is discovered.  Positions have full commissioned authority on state owned land to make arrests, detain suspects, and initiate prosecution.  

A Natural Resource Police Officer (NRPO) responds to criminal and civil violations, conducts surveillance (physical and using cameras), participates in searches, interviews witnesses and suspects, secures and serves search warrants, prepares case reports and maintains cross-agency commission with local, county, state and federal agencies;  

Conducts complex criminal and civil investigations;  

Preserves evidence, interviews and takes written statements from witnesses or other involved parties, such as suspects, arrests and initiates prosecution of violators, develops case files;  

Testifies in court; 

Conducts investigations such as vehicle collision, derelict vessel and illegal mooring buoy investigations, contacting vessel owners, making arrests as needed;  

Participates in joint narcotics investigations involving illegal cannabis grows and meth labs, working with the FBI and DEA;  

Performs surveillance and investigates theft of specialized forest products on State land;  

Teaches recreation warden law enforcement to other department employees and cooperating interagency employees;  

Principal contact between the regional office and other law enforcement and investigative agencies;  

Participates in development of policies, procedures, controls and training programs pertaining to proactive and investigative activities; perform other duties as required.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certificates.  It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position. 

The following legal requirements are necessary for positions in this category. Per RCW 77.15.075, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America who can read and write the English language. All positions require successful completion of the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy per RCW 43.101.200; the CJTC Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy (BLEEA) per WAC 139.05.210; or a Washington CJTC recognized basic law enforcement certificate from another state. 

Must successfully complete a work history, personal history and financial history background investigation, polygraph, psychological evaluation, drug screen and health physical.

Four years as a police officer, deputy sheriff, state trooper or fully commissioned law enforcement officer within a law enforcement agency. 

A valid driver’s license; this position requires driving as an essential function.  Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately-owned vehicle are required to possess a valid license as defined in policy P002-006 and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements.

New class; adopted June 30, 2015; effective July 1, 2015.
Revised occupational category and class code adopted 8/8/2019, effective 8/9/2019; previous class code 427G and new class code 387R, previously legal services and now protective services occupational category.
Updated to remove the word "marijuana" and replace it with "cannabis", effective July 1, 2022.