Duties, posts and working conditions are from DCAS Notice of Examination No. 6305, the newest posted notice for this title. The note on the state title is from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
What does an NYC Environmental Police Officer do? Environmental Police Officers protect the watershed areas, water supply systems and installations of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and they enforce the City's Watershed Rules and Regulations and other laws. Many people call them DEP police. This guide covers the duties on the notice, where the posts are, the physical side of the job and the Police Officer status that comes with it, using only what the notice says.
What is an Environmental Police Officer?
It is a New York City civil service title. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) gives the exam, and the officers work for DEP. The notice says Environmental Police Officers "perform and supervise staff performing duties involved in protecting the watershed areas, water supply systems and installations" maintained by DEP. They enforce the Watershed Rules and Regulations and other laws, and they take on special duties or assignments given by superior officers. They operate motor vehicles and may perform aerial reconnaissance.
Job description: what Environmental Police Officers do at Assignment Level I
New officers start at Assignment Level I. At this level, under supervision, officers patrol and secure water supply facilities and lands and monitor the environmental integrity of watershed areas. The duties the notice lists are:
- Patrol: the watershed area, reservoir areas, installations and other DEP sites, to safeguard life and property. Patrol is on foot in an assigned area and by patrol car.
- Keeping order: preventing breaches of the peace, despoilage and theft, and arresting offenders.
- Investigations and arrests: investigating suspicious persons and occurrences, and making lawful arrests when probable cause exists.
- Evidence and court: collecting evidence, consulting with superior officers about preparing it for court, testifying at trials and noting how the court disposed of each case.
- Reports: reporting all unusual incidents, including accidents, during the officer's tour of duty.
- First aid: giving first aid when an accident happens on the officer's post, when needed.
- Traffic: directing traffic as needed.
- Protecting the water: investigating and reporting contamination of water courses and violations of the Watershed Rules and Regulations.
- Training and public education: possibly providing technical training and taking part in public education programs.
The notice calls its list "a brief description" that "does not include all the duties of this position." The nine abilities on the test are tied to these tasks, from deciding whether a trespasser should be arrested to recording the details of an unusual incident; see the nine abilities explained.
Where NYC Environmental Police Officers work
The notice says assignments are "currently outside New York City and in the Bronx." Positions may be located in the Bronx or in Westchester, Dutchess, Greene, Sullivan, Putnam, Delaware, Ulster, Orange or Schoharie County. Where you may live at appointment is a separate rule, covered in the requirements guide.
The physical side of the job
The notice lists these physical activities and conditions:
- working outdoors in all kinds of weather
- walking or standing in an assigned area during a tour
- driving or sitting in a patrol car during a tour while staying alert
- running after a fleeing suspect and climbing stairs
- carrying an injured adult with help
- gripping people to prevent escape and restraining a suspect with handcuffs
- hand-to-hand struggles to subdue a suspect who resists arrest
- detecting odors such as smoke or gas leaks
- being physically active for long periods
- understanding radio messages with background noise
- reading and writing in low light
- carrying or wearing heavy equipment
A qualifying physical test is required before appointment. The notice does not describe what it consists of.
Police Officer status, firearms and probation
- Police Officer status: you must meet the requirements set by the State of New York for Police Officers and keep meeting them for as long as you hold the job.
- Firearms: you must qualify with firearms twice a year for your whole career.
- Probation: 24 months. You must pass the Police Academy firearms, academic, physical performance and driving tests and meet disciplinary and performance standards throughout.
- Drug testing: before appointment, during Police Academy training and at random during employment.
Can environmental police pull you over?
The notice does not answer this question. Here is what it does say. Environmental Police Officers must meet the New York State requirements for Police Officer status. They operate motor vehicles, patrol by car and direct traffic as needed. They make lawful arrests when probable cause exists. The notice does not describe traffic stops, tickets for drivers or where an officer's authority applies, and the official sources for this guide do not cover it either, so we do not guess.
Is it a good job? The facts
Whether the job fits you is your call. These are the facts the notice gives:
- Pay: $52,333 for the first 26 weeks, $60,038 after 26 weeks and $80,391 after six and a half years at Assignment Level I. The salary guide adds official City payroll data, including overtime.
- Benefits: an annual uniform allowance, longevity pay, City contributions to a Welfare Fund and City-paid health insurance.
- Levels: three assignment levels. After appointment, the agency may assign an officer to a higher level.
- Conditions: outdoor work in all weather, posts outside the City and in the Bronx, 24 months of probation and firearms qualification twice a year.
Next steps
Filing for Exam 7305 is planned to begin on December 2, 2026 (DCAS schedule). Check the requirements to become an NYC Environmental Police Officer, then read how the exam works and what happens after the exam.
Frequently asked questions
What do environmental police do?
NYC Environmental Police Officers patrol and secure DEP watershed lands, reservoirs and water supply facilities on foot and by car. They prevent breaches of the peace, damage and theft, investigate suspicious persons, make lawful arrests, collect evidence, testify at trials, write reports, direct traffic and investigate contamination of water courses and violations of the Watershed Rules and Regulations.
What is an environmental police officer?
In New York City, it is a civil service title at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The officers protect the watershed areas, water supply systems and installations that DEP maintains.
Can environmental police pull you over?
The exam notice does not say. It says officers must meet the New York State requirements for Police Officer status, patrol by car, direct traffic and make lawful arrests when probable cause exists, but it does not describe traffic stops or where their authority applies.
Where do NYC Environmental Police Officers work?
The notice says assignments are currently outside New York City and in the Bronx. Posts may be in the Bronx or in Westchester, Dutchess, Greene, Sullivan, Putnam, Delaware, Ulster, Orange or Schoharie County.
Are Environmental Police Officers police officers?
They must meet and keep the New York State requirements for Police Officer status, pass the Police Academy during a 24-month probation and qualify with firearms twice a year.
Is this the same as a DEC Environmental Conservation Officer?
No. The NYC title belongs to DEP and is filled through a DCAS exam. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) hires Environmental Conservation Police Officers through its own Civil Service exam.
Is it a good job?
That depends on you. The facts: pay from $52,333 to $80,391 at Assignment Level I, a uniform allowance, longevity pay, Welfare Fund contributions and City-paid health insurance, outdoor work in all weather, posts outside the City and in the Bronx and a 24-month probation.
How much do they make?
Notice 6305 lists $52,333 for the first 26 weeks, $60,038 after 26 weeks and $80,391 after six and a half years at Assignment Level I. See the salary guide for City payroll data.
Official sources
- DCAS Notice of Examination, Environmental Police Officer, Exam No. 6305 (PDF)
- DCAS Annual Examination Schedule through June 30, 2027, application period order (PDF)
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: Environmental Conservation Police Officer
PrepRaven is an independent exam-prep site. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of New York, DCAS, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) or any other government agency. Always confirm dates and rules in the current Notice of Examination.
Last updated October 2026