HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is recruiting the 26th class of waterways conservation officer trainees.
The State Civil Service Commission is accepting applications now through Feb. 5. The class of up to 24 trainees will undergo a training program at various training sites in the commonwealth, including the PFBC’s H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety in Bellefonte, Centre County. Trainees will study law enforcement principles and practices, fish and boat laws, watercraft safety, environmental protection, and other related content. The class of trainees is expected to report for training later this year and graduate in the summer of 2025.
“Waterways conservation officers are passionate law enforcement professionals who work to protect, conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s aquatic resources,” said Col. Clyde Warner, director of the PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement. “This job is full of adventure, and no two days of work are ever the same.”
WCOs are specifically trained in all aspects of fisheries conservation and watercraft safety and work to preserve fishing and boating opportunities on Pennsylvania’s 86,000 miles of rivers, streams and lakes.
Applications will only be accepted online. To apply, visit the Pennsylvania employment website at www.employment.pa.gov.
Applicants must meet the following basic criteria:
• Pennsylvania residency
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Be at least 21 years of age
• High school graduate or GED
• Pass a criminal history background check
For more information on the position, visit the WCO recruitment page on the PFBC website.
MARTEN REINTRODUCION ON PGC AGENDA
The state Board of Game Commissioners will meet Jan. 26-27 at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters, with the proposed reintroduction of the marten one of the main issues on the agenda.
The Game Commission mentions a 10-year marten reintroduction plan that will be up for final approval. Martens are furbearers, part of the weasel family, that are smaller than the fisher, another furbearer that has been successfully reestablished in the state’s forests.
The meeting on Jan. 26 begins at 1 p.m. Public comment — limited to five minutes — will be accepted at the Jan. 27 meeting on a first-to-register, first-to-speak basis. Registration begins when the doors to the Harrisburg headquarters open at 7:45 a.m. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m.
The agenda for the January meeting is available at www.pgc.pa.gov. Those unable to attend the meetings can watch it from home. The meetings will be livestreamed on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel.
PFBC OFFERS GRANTS
The PFBC is seeking applicants for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating, with the grant application period open through March 1.
Last year, the PFBC awarded $187,625 in grant funding to support 15 education projects in 11 counties and two statewide projects. Recipients of the grant successfully demonstrated ways in which their new or expanded projects connect Pennsylvanians with state waterways.
The R3 Grant will reimburse qualifying organizations up to $25,000 for eligible expenses for projects conducted from approximately July 1 through June 30, 2025. The grant requires a minimum 25% match of total project costs. At this time, applications for multi-year grants are not being accepted.
More information about the grant program, including the application, can be found on the PFBC R3 Grant Program page on the PFBC website.
