After a lack of teaching job opportunities, Timothy Haas received a tip from a friend about a job opening over 14 months ago. Haas said that’s how he found his new career as a waterways conservation officer.

Haas said there was something about his new career that felt right.

“I grew up an avid fisherman and hunter, so I thought, ‘That’d be a great job,’” Haas said. “And, you get to be outdoors.”

Haas said after he passed the initial application process it took 14 months of paperwork and training before he became one of 18 graduates announced June 24 by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

But now, he is finished and ready to serve in all of Lawrence County and parts of Butler County. He will spend some time at Lake Arthur alongside its park rangers. In addition, Haas will be covering Slippery Rock, Mercerm, Lancaster, Jackson, Forward, Cranberry and Connoquenessing townships.

Haas completed state police training, which authorizes him to act as an officer of the law and carry a firearm before the H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety narrowed his focus into law concerning nature and conservation.

Haas said it also prepared him to aid in public capacities.

“We learn how to interact with the public, too,” he said.

He also participated in multiple physical tests, which he said were relatively easy for him because he already has to complete similar testing as a National Guard member.

Haas said his first priority is to better learn the area.

He said growing up and living in Shaler Township and graduating from Slippery Rock University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education has given him a vague sense of Butler County.

He also received a crash course from his mentor and new partner Jonathan Kay, the officer who covers the remainder of Butler County.

Kay said he supervised, observed and gave advice to Haas throughout a hands-on portion of his training.

“The cadet officers spent time in the field with the experienced officers,” Kay said. “The whole idea was for him to take the lead.”

Kay said Haas had no problem doing so in training and has taken the same tenacity into his new role.

“He’s hit the ground running,” he said. “He’s doing everything we expect of him.”

Kay said Haas’ quick pace may help him achieve a better sense of the job.

“It takes quite a few years to fully learn and fully grasp the whole district,” he said.

Kay said he is confident Haas will be successful.

“So far working with him has been fantastic,” he said. “He’s going to have a great career.”

Haas said he also holds Kay in high regard and appreciates the continued support as he tries to learn the area and its concerns.

“I’m still trying to get familiar with my areas,” he said. “I haven’t really found trouble areas.”

One thing Haas said he doesn’t want to do is to accept tips about problem areas from local residents, at least not yet. He said he would rather find problem areas on his own.

Haas said problem areas would be spots where people consistently cause problems. While these incidents come in many forms, he said he would focus on safe boating practices, responsible fishing and addressing pollution.

He said pollution can be a big problem and a lot of work, especially in car accidents. He said if a hypothetical milk truck were to crash near creek, the milk would mix into the water, suffocating the fish in the water.

“Milk is terrible for fish,” he said. “It just takes all the air out of the water.”

Haas said milk is an example of something that seems harmless, but could be harmful to other species.

Haas said the job will be a good fit for him and offers great support for him and his wife, who are having their first child.

“I can schedule my work around her appointments,” he said. “I can make my own schedule and patrol where I want to in my own district.”

Haas, who is still trying to sell his Shaler Township home, said he currently commutes to work but hopes to move closer to the area soon.