New York State Announces $15,000 Pay Increase to Attract and Retain DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers in Lower Hudson Valley and Downstate Locations

For Release: Friday, August 5, 2022

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Civil Service today announced a $15,000 Geographic Pay Differential was approved for Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers located in the lower Hudson Valley and downstate areas. The measure will help the agency address recruitment and retention challenges for law enforcement in lower Hudson Valley and downstate regions.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "ECOs, Investigators, and Forest Rangers are on the front lines of our comprehensive efforts to protect the environment and public safety and we must continue to attract the best and brightest to our ranks. We commend Governor Hochul and the Department of Civil Service for supporting this Geographic Pay Differential for our law enforcement staff deployed to Long Island, New York City, and the lower Hudson Valley, which is an important part of our efforts to recruit and retain expert Forest Rangers and ECOs."

Department of Civil Service Commissioner Timothy R. Hogues said, "DEC's ECOs and Forest Rangers patrol and protect New York's bountiful natural resources, and this pay increase will help DEC retain these talented and dedicated employees in the downstate regions. This marks the latest measure the Department of Civil Service is taking to ensure our compensation is competitive to attract the next generation of talent to public service careers. There is still time to apply to take the entry-level law enforcement exam, and I encourage all New Yorkers who may be interested in a career in law enforcement to sign up now."

The increase would boost the starting salary for Environmental Conservation Police Officers from $66,140 to $81,140, and for Forest Rangers from $63,034 to $78,034, effective July 21, 2022. The raise will help address a disparity in compensation between the State and competing employers in lower-Hudson and downstate areas.

Individuals who are contemplating a career with the DEC can apply for New York State's entry-level law enforcement civil service exam by August 10, 2022. People interested in being considered for entry-level law enforcement positions within state government must first meet the minimum qualifications for the title or titles of interest and register for the civil service exam by submitting all the required information (leaves DEC website) on the Department of Civil Service website. The exam, a multiple-choice test, will be offered during the fall.

To learn more about working for the State of New York and how to take the next step in pursuing a rewarding career in public service, please visit the Department of Civil Service website (leaves DEC website) and follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn (leaves DEC website).