Game wardens in Massachusetts have an unusually complex job. While all game wardens combine law enforcement training with expertise in natural resource conservation, environmental police officers of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game also serve as the primary enforcement agents for boats and recreational vehicles.
Some even serve as part of Massachusetts’ Environmental Crimes Strike Force and work undercover to investigate crimes that could include illegal hunting or harvesting in protected wetlands.
Competition for both state and federal game warden positions in Massachusetts is fierce. Ideal applicants have a love for wildlife, enjoy the outdoors, and are able to communicate with people effectively.
The responsibilities of an environmental police officer include:
- Patrolling to identify violators or problem situations
- Monitoring fish and wildlife habitat
- Enforcing the law
- Performing search and rescue operations when required
Environmental police officers typically manage a county or region of Massachusetts and are responsible for protecting the natural features within that area by combating illegal hunting and harvesting. This makes their jobs both physically and mentally demanding.
Despite these challenges, the pool of applicants always exceeds the number of available positions and applicants sometimes wait for months before a position becomes available. Read on to discover how to best prepare to apply to become an environmental police officer in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Game Warden Eligibility Requirements
The landscape of Massachusetts includes both land and sea with the Atlantic Ocean bordering along the East. In addition, more than half of the state is forested. It takes some pretty diverse skills to manage natural resources this diverse. Massachusetts needs men and women with interests in both law enforcement and conservation to serve as environmental police officers.
The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game offers its officers exciting opportunities for advancement in its 6 divisions, which work together to enforce the laws of the land and advocate for its protection. Its officers maintain a strong presence throughout the state.
Given the challenges of serving as an environmental police officer, all applicants must have substantial experience that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the eligibility criteria for these positions. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs website provides additional information on the hiring process.
Basic Job Qualifications for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game
Age: 21 years of age or older is required at the time of appointment
Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization documents are required
License: A valid Massachusetts-issued Class ‘D’ driver’s license.
Military Service: Applicants with US military service must have been discharged "Under Honorable Conditions"
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. Candidates will be subject to mandatory drug screening.
Background and Legal History: Applicants must pass an intensive fingerprint Background check with polygraph in order to continue the application process. This is to ensure that candidates have:
- No addiction to drugs
- Suitable moral behavior for law enforcement
- Not been currently placed on court-ordered probation
- Not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude
- Never convicted of a felony offense
- Never convicted of a crime of domestic violence, misdemeanor or otherwise
- Never been convicted of perjury or false statement
- Never been discharged or resigned under threat of discharge from any law enforcement position
Academic Credentials: Completion of high school or GED is required. Additionally applicants are required to have either a substantial amount of experience or college credits in as many fields as possible: biology, environmental science, law enforcement, ecology, forestry, marine science, natural resources management, wildlife or fisheries; two years’ education can be substituted for one year of experience.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to qualify for a Firearms Class A license
- Civil service examination for Environmental Police Officer A & B
- Training at a police academy approved by the Municipal Police Training Committee
- Successfully completing an American Red Cross or YMCA program
- Online employment application to State Personnel website
- Written test administered by Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Physical Readiness Testing and Other Evaluations
Interview: Candidates will have an oral question and answer session with senior officers designed to evaluate experience, knowledge and personal ethics.
Medical evaluation: The candidate will be evaluated by a medical professional to ensure that he or she is in satisfactory health.
Hearing: The applicant must be able to demonstrate good hearing with or without hearing aids
Vision: The applicant must have good corrected or uncorrected binocular vision, and have color vision consistent with the demands of the job.
Physical Readiness Test: The applicant must successfully complete a physical readiness test showing that he or she is able to complete performance as shown below:
- Sit-ups
- Stretch and reach
- Push-ups
- Timed running
- 100 yard swim via freestyle, breast stroke or side stroke
- 10 minute tread
- Retrieving an object from 7 feet of water
Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health as evaluated by the state
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrate effective use of English including both written and oral formats.
- Demonstrate effective use of mathematics including advanced arithmetic, basic accounting, estimating, and data collection
- Demonstrating Bilingualism is 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 within and outside of the department
- High moral character, demonstrating integrity and honesty;
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage with members of the public in a courteous manner;
- Ability to work without supervision;
- Dedication to the mission of the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources;
- Ability to follow the guidance of supervisors and adhere to department policy;
- Ability to work as a member of a team.
Environmental Police Officer Salaries with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
The Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development agency reported that the median salary for environmental police officers was $41,250 as of 2016. Experienced environmental police officers earned an average of $56,450, while those just starting out eared $27,810 on average that year.
Location has a considerable influence on the salaries environmental police officers in Massachusetts earn. For instance, the median salary among officers in Barnstable exceeded the state’s average by $11,410:
Barnstable:
- Experienced - $66,620
- Median - $52,660
- Entry-level - $28,340
Worcester:
- Experienced - $52,710
- Median - $45,870
- Entry-level - $33,270
Boston:
- Experienced - $42,430
- Median - $29,620
- Entry-level - $26,700
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
251 Causeway Street, Suite 101
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 626-1650
http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/enforcement/environmental-police/
School Programs
Program | Programs Offered |
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American International College 1000 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109 Phone: (413) 737-7000 |
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Amherst College Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002-5000 Phone: (413) 542-2000 |
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Anna Maria College 50 Sunset Lane, Paxton, MA 01612-1198 Phone: (508) 849-3300 |
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Assumption College 500 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609-1296 Phone: (508) 767-7000 |
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Bard College at Simon's Rock 84 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230-9702 Phone: (413) 644-4400 |
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Bay Path University 588 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106 Phone: (413) 565-1000 |
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Becker College 61 Sever St, Worcester, MA 01609-2165 Phone: (877) 523-2537 |
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Berkshire Community College 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201-5786 Phone: (413) 499-4660 |
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Boston College 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Phone: (617) 552-8000 |
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Boston University One Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215 Phone: (617) 353-2000 |
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Brandeis University 415 South St, Waltham, MA 02454-9110 Phone: (781) 736-2000 |
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Bridgewater State University 131 Summer Street, Bridgewater, MA 02325 Phone: (508) 531-1000 |
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Bristol Community College 777 Elsbree St, Fall River, MA 02720-7395 Phone: (508) 678-2811 |
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Bunker Hill Community College 250 New Rutherford Ave, Boston, MA 02129-2925 Phone: (617) 228-2000 |
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Cape Cod Community College 2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668-1599 Phone: (508) 362-2131 x4311 |
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Clark University 950 Main St, Worcester, MA 01610-1477 Phone: (508) 793-7711 |
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College of Our Lady of the Elms 291 Springfield St, Chicopee, MA 01013 Phone: (413) 594-2761 |
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College of the Holy Cross One College Street, Worcester, MA 01610-2395 Phone: (508) 793-2011 |
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Curry College 1071 Blue Hill Ave, Milton, MA 02186-2395 Phone: (617) 333-2900 |
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Dean College 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038-1941 Phone: (508) 541-1900 |
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Eastern Nazarene College 23 E Elm Ave, Quincy, MA 02170-2999 Phone: (617) 745-3000 x3706 |
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Emmanuel College 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 735-9715 |
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Endicott College 376 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915 Phone: (978) 927-0585 |
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Fisher College 118 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 236-8800 |
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Fitchburg State University 160 Pearl St, Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697 Phone: (978) 345-2151 |
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Framingham State University 100 State Street, Framingham, MA 01701-9101 Phone: (508) 620-1220 |
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Gordon College 255 Grapevine Rd, Wenham, MA 01984 Phone: (978) 927-2300 |
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Hampshire College 893 West St, Amherst, MA 01002-5001 Phone: (413) 549-4600 |
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Harvard University Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: (617) 495-1000 |
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Holyoke Community College 303 Homestead Ave, Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: (413) 552-2000 |
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Lesley University 29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA 02138-2790 Phone: (617) 868-9600 |
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Marian Court College 35 Little's Point Rd, Swampscott, MA 01907 Phone: (781) 309-5200 |
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Massachusetts Bay Community College 50 Oakland St, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5399 Phone: (781) 239-3000 |
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 375 Church St, North Adams, MA 01247-4100 Phone: (413) 662-5000 |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 Phone: (617) 253-1000 |
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Massachusetts Maritime Academy 101 Academy Dr, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-1803 Phone: (508) 830-5000 |
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Massasoit Community College One Massasoit Boulevard, Brockton, MA 02302-3996 Phone: (508) 588-9100 |
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Merrimack College 315 Turnpike St, North Andover, MA 01845 Phone: (978) 837-5000 |
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Middlesex Community College Springs Rd, Bedford, MA 01730-9124 Phone: (978) 656-3200 |
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Mount Holyoke College 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075-1489 Phone: (413) 538-2000 |
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Mount Ida College 777 Dedham Street, Newton, MA 02459 Phone: (617) 928-4500 |
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Mount Wachusett Community College 444 Green St, Gardner, MA 01440-1000 Phone: (978) 632-6600 |
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Nichols College Center Rd, Dudley, MA 01571-5000 Phone: (508) 213-1560 |
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North Shore Community College 1 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923-0840 Phone: (978) 762-4000 x4350 |
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Northeastern University 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115-5005 Phone: (617) 373-2000 |
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Northeastern University Global Network 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 373-2000 |
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Pine Manor College 400 Heath St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Phone: (617) 731-7000 |
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Quincy College 1250 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169 Phone: (800) 698-1700 |
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Regis College 235 Wellesley St, Weston, MA 02493-1571 Phone: (781) 768-7000 |
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Roxbury Community College 1234 Columbus Ave, Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120-3400 Phone: (617) 427-0060 |
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Salem State University 352 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970 Phone: (978) 542-6000 |
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Simmons College 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115-5898 Phone: (617) 521-2000 |
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Smith College Elm St, Northampton, MA 01063 Phone: (413) 584-2700 |
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Springfield College 263 Alden St, Springfield, MA 01109-3797 Phone: (413) 748-3116 |
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Springfield Technical Community College 1 Armory Sq, Springfield, MA 01105-1296 Phone: (413) 781-7822 |
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Stonehill College 320 Washington Street, Easton, MA 02357-6110 Phone: (508) 565-1000 |
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Suffolk University 8 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-2770 Phone: (617) 573-8000 |
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Tufts University Address Unknown, Medford, MA 02155-5555 Phone: (617) 628-5000 |
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University of Massachusetts-Amherst 374 Whitmore Building 181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003 Phone: (413) 545-0111 |
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University of Massachusetts-Boston 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125-3393 Phone: (617) 287-5000 |
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University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth 285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300 Phone: (508) 999-8000 |
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University of Massachusetts-Lowell 1 University Ave, Lowell, MA 01854-5104 Phone: (978) 934-4000 |
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Wellesley College 106 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 Phone: (781) 283-1000 |
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Western New England University 1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, MA 01119-2684 Phone: (413) 782-3111 |
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Westfield State University 577 Western Ave, Westfield, MA 01086-1630 Phone: (413) 572-5300 |
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Wheaton College 26 E Main St, Norton, MA 02766-2322 Phone: (508) 286-8200 |
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Williams College 880 Main St, Williamstown, MA 01267 Phone: (413) 597-3131 |
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280 Phone: (508) 831-5000 |
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Worcester State University 486 Chandler St, Worcester, MA 01602-2597 Phone: (508) 929-8000 |
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