Vernon Gets Extra Conservation Officer

By Corey Fischer

Apr 18, 2019 | 2:22 PM

Vernon is one of seven B.C. communities getting extra resources to deal with B.C. Conservation Service issues.

The area has been appointed a seasonal conservation officer who will work until mid October.

The seasonal officers, who are recent graduates from college, assist with high-priority issues, such as threatened species and public safety legislation.

“Seasonal officers are typically placed in locations where they can be mentored or where there is a need for an additional officer,” says a government news release.

The officers are also involved with public outreach, education and building relationships with First Nations.

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This year, six new seasonal officers were added to the service, along with two seasonal First Nations officers for Westbank and Haida Gwaii.

The officers will work until Oct. 15, 2019, in the communities of Invermere, Kamloops, Cranbrook, Smithers, Squamish, Whistler and Vernon.

“It’s important to have that extra resource for our officers and it’s really good training for those looking for full-time work,” said Greg Kondas, acting deputy chief, noting two seasonal officers were hired last year.

“These are young, inspirational students who have just come out of college, so we want to give them that guidance and put them in an area where they are going to receive that from experienced officers. We get to assess them and they get to assess us.”

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has 164 full-time officers located in 45 communities throughout the province.

by Corey Fischer