Careers with the Natural Resource Officer Service
Last updated on August 6, 2025
The Natural Resource Officer Service (NROS) is one of the natural resource law enforcement arms of the provincial government. Daily operations oversee resource management laws and protect the public’s interest in the management of B.C.’s diverse natural and cultural resources.
On this page
- NROS Self Assessment
- Natural Resource Officer Academy and Special Provincial Constable Designation
- Natural Resource Officer Service Career Paths
- How to apply
NROS Self-Assessment
Before you review our recruiting information, please consider the following informal self-assessment. While not exhaustive, it may help you to evaluate your suitability and identify any possible barriers to applying since you know your strengths, skills and abilities better than anyone else does.
Statements to consider before applying for an NROS position:
- Required to have a valid B.C. Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent, or immediately eligible to attain one
- Willing to travel frequently
- Willing and able to work outdoors in all types of weather and in challenging terrain
- Willing and able to operate a variety of equipment including, but not limited to, off-road vehicles and boats (if applicants do not currently have the relevant certification, they should be willing and able to get certification to operate this equipment)
- Required to hold an Occupational First Aid Level 1 certificate or equivalent (or willing and able to obtain this certificate immediately after being hired)
- Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service Agency, which may include a criminal record check and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check and/or enhanced security screening checks, as required by the ministry
Natural Resource Officer Academy and Special Provincial Constable Designation
Natural Resource Officer Academy
Successful applicants will attend the Natural Resource Officer Academy. During this Academy, new recruits will have access to a variety of training opportunities to ensure that they have the skills needed to be an effective Natural Resource Officer. Successful completion of the NRO Academy is part of the job requirement.
Special Provincial Constable Designation
Successful applicants that receive permanent full-time status as a Natural Resource Officer must be able to obtain Special Provincial Constable (SPC) designation. Designation as an SPC provides officers with additional abilities to:
- Better communicate with other agencies (Conservation Officer Service, RCMP, etc.) due to the security screening requirements
- Apply for and execute search warrants by telephone or other means of telecommunications following successful completion of required training (Application and Execution of Search Warrants)
- Operate emergency flashing lights on the fleet vehicles
Natural Resource Officer Service career paths
NROS career paths include:
Additional opportunities in the branch (but not listed on this page) include Senior Investigative Specialists, Intelligence Analyst, Major Casefile Specialist and more! For more information on all of our positions, please contact NROTraining@gov.bc.ca
Read more about the Natural Resource Officer Service and career with us:
Technical positions
Bring your commitment to excellence in natural resource management practices. Natural Resource Officers (NROs) are trusted to safeguard and regulate British Columbia’s valued cultural and natural resources. NROs provide focused enforcement services to achieve responsible stewardship and are committed to doing this with integrity, professionalism, accountability, and genuine collaboration.
Entry Level Auxiliary Natural Resource Officer
The entry level Natural Resource Officer Auxiliary Program offers positions that participate in inspections, compliance testing, and investigations to identify non-compliance with legislation and/or regulations, licence conditions or decisions, impose fines and/or recommend other sanctions against non-compliant parties. The position provides the opportunity to conduct the full mandate of NROS work and will develop to the full working level through a gradual increase in complexity of investigative files.
Natural Resource Officer
Performs inspections and investigations to identify non-compliance with legislation and/or regulations, licence conditions or decisions, impose fines and/or recommend other sanctions against non-compliant parties. Gathers evidence and prepares reports in preparation for quasi-judicial or criminal court proceedings.
Engagement positions
Be a part of B.C.'s influence and engage in natural resource management
Natural Resource Officer Investigator
As a Natural Resource Officer Investigator, you will lead and investigate complex investigations of significant legislative offences (criminal and administrative) and ensure compliance with legislation, policies and other standards. If you enjoy working in a dynamic work environment with great staff and exciting challenges, this may be the role for you!
Consultation positions
A unique opportunity to apply your leadership and consultation skills
Indigenous Relations and Restorative Justice Officer
The Indigenous Relations and Restorative Justice position is a fully qualified and authorized officer who provides leadership and expertise for developing relationships and partnerships with Indigenous peoples to ensure government to government co-operation for environmental enforcement related activities. This includes:
- The development and negotiation of enforcement Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and protocols as the Provincial Government moves towards reconciliation
- Following the emerging Rights and Title cases and the implications for the Provincial Government in enforcing mandated legislation
This position is also responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships, relationships and collaboration with Community and Restorative Justice Program(s) matters with other levels of government, non-government organizations (NGOs) and partner organizations.
Registered Professional positions
Professional Foresters
The practice of professional forestry and the variety of applicable legislation is a large subject area. As a result, NROS’s Integrated Enforcement Team has three professional foresters available to assist NROs around the province while also leading their own provincially significant investigation files.
Water Resource Specialist
The Water Resource Specialist holds a degree in biological sciences (or equivalent) and is eligible to be registered as a Registered Professional Biologist (RP Bio) in B.C. with the College of Applied Biology (CAB). This position is the lead ministry expert in providing professional advice in the field of biology to NROS staff regarding complex investigations under the Water Sustainability Act. The Water Resource Specialist may participate as a subject matter expert in complex investigations, led by Natural Resource Officer Investigators, and may act as an expert witness to provide testimony and present evidence in court hearings.
Heritage Conservation Specialist
The practice of professional archaeology and the variety of archaeological and historic sites throughout the province is a large subject area. As a result, NROS’s Integrated Enforcement Team has two Heritage Conservation Specialists to assist NROs with enforcement of the Heritage Conservation Act.
How to apply
Submit applications through the BC Public Service Agency. The B.C. government posts jobs for various positions throughout the province and these application drives typically occur once per year.
Access hiring information and create your profile: