Hawaii is about to beef up its ranks of conservation law enforcers, with recruitment for 53 entry-level Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officer (CREO I) positions set to open next Saturday. According to state officials, the full-time, permanent civil-service jobs are spread across the islands, and anyone eyeing a badge is being urged to get in line early because the hiring windows will slam shut once application intake limits are reached.
In a news release, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said applications and required documents will be accepted through the State of Hawai‘i jobs site, with questions directed to the State Recruiting Office at 808-587-1111. The department also thanked the State Legislature for funding the new positions along with the training and equipment that go with them.
DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla framed the work as both demanding and special. "Protecting Hawai‘i’s natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources is a unique privilege," he said, noting that the division's coverage "spans from mauka to makai, and three miles out-to-sea," as reported by Hawaii News Now. With that kind of territory to cover and only a limited number of slots, the agency is expecting strong interest.
What The Job Requires
Applicants need to meet some baseline requirements before they can start dreaming of patrols on state lands and waters. The Department of Land and Natural Resources lists a minimum age of 21 at the time of application, at least two years of general work experience, a valid driver’s license and eligibility under federal and state firearms regulations.
On the physical side, candidates must be able to swim 100 meters within three minutes and hike one mile within 20 minutes. They also have to clear several pre-employment screens, including prior-employment verification, fingerprint-based criminal-background checks and drug testing. The department is again warning would-be officers to apply early, since recruiting will close once application limits are reached.
How To Apply
Applications and all required documentation are submitted online through the State of Hawai‘i jobs website, which is operated by the Department of Human Resources Development. The posting for CREO I positions goes live at 12 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, and will be pulled once the state hits its intake cap.
The new hires are intended to strengthen DOCARE’s presence on state lands and in surrounding waters as the agency balances public-safety responsibilities with stewardship of Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources. Prospective applicants will need to be ready not just for the ocean and trail fitness tests, but also for the detailed background checks that are baked into the hiring process.
