How to Become a Game Warden in Indiana

Indiana Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

Men and women with a strong sense of justice and who enjoy working with the public on conservation issues are encouraged to consider a career as an Indiana Conservation Officer. Sometimes known as game wardens or wildlife officers, Conservation Officers in Indiana have many opportunities to build a satisfying and lucrative career.

Conservation Officers are primarily responsible for managing licenses, hunting and fishing limits, and poaching infractions under state and federal law. They are also promote and coordinate firearm safety programs, hunter and fishermen education and boating safety programs, conduct field surveys on fish, game and birds and their habitats, as well as educate schools and advocacy groups about issues regarding safety, regulations and conservation issues.

These diverse job duties mean that a Conservation Officer candidate must be prepared to be a tough competitor during the job selection process. In addition to information and job postings available through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, listed below is the minimum qualifications needed to apply to become an Indiana Conservation officer.

Basic Qualifications for Jobs with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Age: 21 years of age or older is required at the time of application

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization documents are required, as is proof of Indiana residency

License: A valid Indiana-issued driver’s license is required.

Military Service: If formerly a member of any of the branches of United States military, a discharge "Under Honorable Conditions" is required

Work Eligibility: New employees must present original documents that establish identity and eligibility for U.S. employment opportunities as per federal law – applicants must be eligible to accept employment before the process continues

Background and Legal History: Applicants must pass an intensive fingerprint background check in order to continue the application process to ensure that candidates have:

• Never traded illegal substances, including manufacture, transport, purchase, or sale
• Not been currently placed on probation
• Never been convicted of a felony offense
• Never been convicted of a crime of domestic violence
• Never been discharged or resigned under threat of discharge from any law enforcement position
• Never received a traffic violation where there was refusal to submit to a breath/blood/urine test
• Is willing to refrain from engaging in any political activity prohibited by law

Academic Credentials: Completion of high school or GED is required; must have achieved one of the following from a CHEA accredited college or university: a 2-year Associate’s degree with certified transcript, OR successful completion of at least two years toward a 4-year bachelor degree as evidenced by a certified transcript. Please note that trade school degrees are not accepted.

Additional Requirements:

• Transcripts
• Results of Initial Testing including Cognitive Survey, Writing ability assessment, Vocational interest inventory exam, Personality Profile Application Process and Screening

Law Enforcement Academy and Field Training

Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Basic Training Course

• Indiana Criminal law
• Accident investigation
• Driving techniques
• Firearms training
• First responders
• Homeland security
• Information systems
• Officer survival
• Law of arrest, evidence, and search and seizures

Field Training Program

• Fish and wildlife conservation laws
• Land navigation and GPS
• Water safety and survival
• Tracking and pursuit tactics
• Vessel Operation
• Species ID
• Hunting, fishing, and boating regulations and statutes
• Boating and hunting accident investigations and reconstruction
• Performing vessel safety checks
• Environmental crimes
• Small boat operations
• Extensive field training

Interview: Candidates will have a panel interview with senior officers designed to evaluate experience and knowledge in the areas of hunting, fishing, boating and related outdoor activities. Appearance, demeanor, verbal skills and ability to make ethical judgment will be assessed at this time and throughout the process

Polygraph Test: Potentially, candidates might be required to answer a series of questions detailing past experience with substance abuse and criminal activity; biometric responses are recorded electronically for analysis

Medical evaluation: The candidate will be evaluated for vision, hearing, ENT, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, rectal, hernia, genital/urinary, back and neck, extremities, nervous system, emotional stability and laboratory analysis.

Hearing: The applicant must be able to hear without significant loss.

Vision: The applicant must have better than 20/40 corrected vision with both eyes with a full field of binocular vision, and no red/green color blindness.

Physical Readiness: The applicant must successfully complete a physical readiness test showing that he or she is able to complete the minimum standards regarding the following criteria:

• 1 minute of sit-ups
• 300 meter Run in 82 seconds or less
• Max push-up
• 1 1/2 mile run
• Vertical Jump
• Ability to swim 100 yards without stopping
• Tread water for at least 5 minutes

Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health as evaluated

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrate effective use of English including written mechanics and clarity, as well as reasoned verbal discussions.
• Demonstrate effective use of mathematics including advanced arithmetic, basic knowledge of payable and receivable accounting, estimation, and data collection
• Receptive, expressive and written skills in additional languages are an asset.
• Knowledge of current principles and practices of habitat resources, law enforcement and wildlife management
• Computer spreadsheet, word processing, email, GIS, and database knowledge in a networked environment is required; the state uses proprietary programs for training and information delivery
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders
• Commit to professional development
• Effectively operate and negotiate 4-wheel drive vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, and ATVs through natural terrain for patrol and pursuit
• Effectively use firearms
• Train others on firearm usage and safety

Salaries for Indiana’s Conservation Officers with the Department of Natural Resources

Game wardens with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are known as conservation officers. As commissioned law enforcement officers, game wardens in the state receive the same pay as the Indiana State Police.

Game wardens who are first hired start out as trainees at an annual salary of $37,590 plus benefits. Once they have completed their training, these game wardens move up to probability officer status and earn $39,213. After that, their salary increases each year on their anniversary date and continues increasing until the 20^th year of service.

Minimum and maximum salaries for the different levels of conservation officers are shown below:

• Officer - $40,902 - $61,208
• Sergeant - $49,980 - $67,830
• First Sergeant - $53,040 - $70,381
• Lieutenant - $56,098 - $72,930
• Captain - $58,140 - $76,500
• Major - $61,198 - $79,550
• Colonel - $68,339 - $85,681
• Colonel - $75,479 - $90,781

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

4850 South State Road 446
Bloomington, IN 47401
Phone: (812) 837-9536
http://www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/2760.htm