• Licensed officers

Individuals who are currently licensed through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (or comparable in states outside of Michigan) may qualify for the licensed officer hiring process.

Step 1: Application

Submit a State of Michigan application. Make sure to use a valid email address on your application as that is how you will be communicated with throughout the entire hiring process. The following documents must be attached to your application:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • References
  • Driver's license
  • DD214 long-form military discharge papers (if applicable)

If you are selected to advance in the hiring process, you will be contacted via email by the DNR Law Enforcement Division with additional instructions.

Step 2: Pre-screening interview

If selected to move forward in the process, you must participate in a pre-screening interview. These interviews will be conducted in-person. 
You will receive an email confirming your interview date, time, location, and a list of items to bring to the interview.

Step 3: Background check

Applicants who successfully complete the Step 2 pre-screening interview will be required to complete an online personal history questionnaire. 

After the questionnaire is complete, your file will be forwarded to a DNR Law Enforcement Division background investigator who will conduct an in-depth background investigation. Documentation submitted during the application process will be compared to original documents during your background investigation.

Step 4: Final interview

After the background investigation is complete, you will receive an email indicating if you will move forward in the hiring process; you may be scheduled for a final interview.

Step 5: Conditional offer

Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer of employment which requires the applicant to pass a psychological test and drug screening prior to being hired. 

Step 6: Specialized training

If the applicant accepts an offer of employment, they will be hired as a full-time DNR employee. The employee will begin specialized training consisting of equipment operation and maintenance, species identification, and related laws and regulations pertaining to:

  • Off-road vehicle, snowmobile, and marine recreational activities 
  • Fish and game identification
  • Fishing, hunting and trapping enforcement
  • Laws, rules, and regulations of the DNR
  • Water safety, search and rescue, and regulatory inspections
  • Other specialized training