Captain
Benton, IL, US, 62812
Job Requisition ID: 56627
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: 06/18/2026
Agency: Department of Natural Resources
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option: Law Enforcement/Correctional
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $11,000 -$13,000/month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Franklin
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Term Appointment, Gubernatorial (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC104 Collective Bargaining Coverage
A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.
Please upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts for all degrees earned and a copy of any applicable professional licenses you possess to MY DOCUMENTS section of your application.
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Position Overview
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hiring a Conservation Police Captain. This position serves supervisor to law enforcement staff and administers directs plans and coordinates law enforcement efforts within the law enforcement region, provide guidance, training, direction, discipline and counseling to staff regarding work performance, organize goals, objectives and prioritize work to meet the needs of the zone and division, conduct field inspections of programs, equipment and personnel and make recommendations for improvement, develop and recommend annual fiscal request for the zone and monitor expenditures of line-item allotments, and coordinate efforts between the County State's Attorney(s), US District Attorney(s) and the Illinois Attorney General's Office to develop complex detailed prosecutions of conservation law and cases. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
Essential Functions
- Administers, directs, coordinates, controls, and evaluates an administrative law enforcement region.
- Serves as full Supervisor.
- Develops and recommends annual fiscal requests for the Region and monitors expenditures of line-item allotments and any restriction established due to overall fiscal constraints.
- Develops promotes and coordinates inter and intra agency, city, county, state and federal levels law enforcement efforts and programs for the Region.
- Enforces all Illinois Revised Statues, including Federal laws.
- Receives complaints pertaining to alleged violations of State and Federal laws and Administrative Rules.
- Performs periodic field inspections of programs, equipment and subordinate personnel making recommendations concerning improvements needed to provide safety, efficiency and effective law enforcement efforts.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires knowledge skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with course work in law enforcement.
- Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement.
- Requires successful completion of the Illinois Conservation Police Officer Trainee program which includes the statutorily required Illinois Basic Police Training Program.
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive knowledge of Division and Department objectives, policies, programs and services.
- Extensive knowledge of effective managerial methods, procedures and techniques.
- Five (5) years of extensive experience in conservation law enforcement, including violations under the Boat Registration and Safety Act, Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act, Fish and Wildlife Code, Timber Act, and enforcing state administrative laws.
- Successful completion of law enforcement leaderships development course comprising a minimum of 120 instructional hours.
- Three (3) years of experience managing, handling and responding to critical or high profile emergency incidents.
- Three (3) years of experience overseeing collective bargaining unit operations, ensuring full compliance and all collective bargaining agreement provisions by employee and supervisors.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must possess the ability to meet All of the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position:
- Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
- Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
- Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties with overnight stays as appropriate.
- Agency minimum proficient for firearms qualifications.
- Must reside in South Zone which inclues the following counties:
Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, Lawrence, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski,
Randolph, Richland, St.Clair, Saline, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson, Union. - Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
- This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
Division Statement
Office of Law Enforcement
The Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) supports the Department's programs designed to protect Illinois' natural and recreational resources through enforcement of those portions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes enacted for that purpose. Conservation Police Officers are vested with full state-wide police authority and are trained to the highest standards for law enforcement professionals in Illinois.
In addition to these enforcement responsibilities, Conservation Police Officers serve as an important link between the Department and its various constituencies (civic groups, sportsmen's groups, sport shows, etc.). These officers are called upon to assist outside agencies in emergency situations or rescue operations. They participate in the instruction of conservation related statutes to outside agencies, law enforcement organizations, or educational institutions upon request.
Work Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-5:00pm w/ 1 hr lunch
Headquarter Location: 11731 State Highway 37, Benton, Illinois, 62812
Work County: Franklin
Agency Contact: Vicky Fowler
Email: vicky.fowler@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-5387
Posting Group: Leadership & Management
Agency statement
Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs; flexible/remote work schedules may be available in for certain positions.
Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.
ECONOMIC INTEREST STATEMENT:
This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
Term Appointment:
Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Natural Resources’s discretion.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
Nearest Major Market: Mount Vernon