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Each summer, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau hires individuals to serve as Water Patrol Officers (WPOs). These officers patrol Iowa's waterways and shores ensuring the safety of recreationists and the protection of resources.
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Duties:
Water Patrol Officers are temporary, summer employees of the IDNR. As a (temporary) law enforcement officer of the State of Iowa, this is a position of high responsibility.
The WPO's duties are somewhat like the full-time Conservation Officer's Positions. These diverse duties include the patrolling of Iowa's lakes and rivers by boat and foot, checking for compliance with Iowa's navigation and fishing regulations and helping to ensure a safe recreational environment for the public. This is where a WPO spends the majority of their time.
| WPOs provide public assistance and safety education through personal contacts and by sometimes participating in the Department's educational programs.
Often, the Water Patrol Officer is the first responder to the scene of emergency situations such as boat accidents and drownings. After assessing the situation and alerting other officers &/or agencies, the WPO continues to assist investigating officers and rescue personnel.
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When not patrolling, WPOs must maintain their issued patrol boats, navigation equipment and storage facilities.
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A final component of the job is the completion of required administrative duties (such as activity reports, writing case information, filling out timesheets, filing citations, and boat useage records). This type of activity is usually done at the water patrol station; in some areas such as northwest Iowa's West Lake Okoboji, that station may be on the water's edge; in others such as the border rivers, it may be where the patrol boats are stored.
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Work Schedule and Pay:
| Water Patrol Officers work a 40-hour work week, with two days off per week during the week. The exact schedule varies by location and is assigned by the Supervisor, but all Water Patrol Officers work weekends (including all the holiday weekends of Memorial Day, July 4th, & Labor Day) and often evenings, late nights, and in all types of weather. |
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Locations:
| DUTY STATION |
# OF
POSSIBLE
POSITIONS |
QUARTERS
AVAILABLE? |
| IOWA LAKES/DICKINSON COUNTY | 12 | YES |
| STORM LAKE (in Buena Vista County) | 1 | YES |
| BLACK HAWK LAKE (in Sac County) | 1 | YES |
| NORTH TWIN LAKE (in Calhoun County) | 1 | YES |
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ CLAYTON COUNTY | 1 | NO |
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ ALLAMAKEE COUNTY | 1 | NO |
| LAKE DELHI (in Delaware County) | 2 | NO |
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ DUBUQUE COUNTY | 1 | YES |
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ JACKSON COUNTY | 1 | YES |
| LAKE MANAWA (in Pottawattamie County) | 1 | YES |
| MISSOURI RIVER/CARTER LAKE (in Pottawattamie County) | 2 | YES |
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ BURLINGTON | 1 | NO |
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ PRINCETON | 1 | NO |
| MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ FAIRPORT | 1 | YES |
| CORALVILLE LAKE (in Johnson County) | 3 | YES |
| CLEAR LAKE (in Cerro Gordo County) | 4 | YES |
| RATHBUN LAKE (in Appanoose County) | 1 | YES |
| SAYLORVILLE LAKE (in Polk County) | 2 | YES |
| RED ROCK LAKE (in Marion County) | 1 | NO |
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Equipment:
Water Patrol Officers are issued the necessary equipment to perform their duties. Boats vary in size and type, depending on the body of water---WPOs may be expected to use jon boats with tillers up to large center console boats with outboard motors.
WPOs are issued all the required safety equipment for their boats, binoculars, ticket books, and a radio and cell phone for communicating with other DNR officers, other law enforcement agencies, and sometimes the boating public.
Personal equipment issued includes uniform shirts and hats, a personal flotation device (PFD), protective gloves, handcuffs and case, Code Books and pepper spray & carrier.
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Training:
| Before beginning patrol duties at their assigned waters, WPOs attend approximately 40 hours of formal training, usually held at Camp Dodge near Des Moines. While attending this training, lodging and meals are provided by the Department. This training is provided by the conservation officer instructor/trainers of the Bureau and by personnel from other state and local law enforcement agencies. |
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This training includes an intense introduction to defensive tactics, approach skills and tactics, communications, administrative responsibilities, and understanding, interpreting, and enforcing the Code of Iowa relating to navigation, fishing & parks.
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Minimum Requirements: (see also the information sheet available to download)
- Miminum Age: 18
- Must be a United States Citizen.
- Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License required.
- Submission to and clearance of a thorough background check.
- Certification through Iowa's Boating Safety Education Program.
- Current CPR certification issued through the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
- Graduated from or currently enrolled/on break between semesters of college, or about to enter first semester of college from high school.
- Must be available for all interviews and training required.
- Ability to work alone, with the public, in a law enforcement capacity, in all conditions, on weekends, and including holidays, nights, and evenings.
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Hiring:
Applications and an informational flyer are available to be downloaded and may also be obtained through contacting:
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Joli Vollers,
Training Coordinator/Conservation Officer
Law Enforcement Bureau
IA Dept. of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
515/281-4075 Office or 515/238-2047 Cell
Email: Joli.Vollers@dnr.iowa.gov
The application period for the Seasonal Patrol Officer positions (Water Patrol and ATV Patrol) is closed.
Please do not contact us to determine if we have received your application. You will receive a letter in the mail after applications have been reviewed.
DO NOT USE A PAST YEAR'S APPLICATION. ALSO MAKE SURE TO READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.
2009 applications will be available during the Fall of 2008.
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