How to Become a Game Warden in North Carolina

North Carolina Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

North Carolina’s diverse natural resources range from the marine environment along the Atlantic Ocean to high mountains in Appalachia. This means that the state’s wildlife enforcement officers must be highly knowledgeable about a range of animal and plant life, and the best ways to protect these species.

The combination of an in-depth knowledge of conservation and law enforcement skills requires extremely talented candidates. All applicants must demonstrate their experience and skills to be considered suitable candidates for these jobs.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Basic Job Qualifications

Applicants can find additional information and job vacancies on the website of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The minimum eligibility requirements are shown below:

Age: 20 years of age or older is required at the time of the admission exam.

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. citizenship or of permanent resident alien status and has applied for citizenship; must be a citizen at time of appointment and a resident of North Carolina.

License: A valid North Carolina-issued driver’s license is required. Individuals must agree to participate in driver training programs through the state as they arise.

Military Service: Applicants who are former members of the United States military require ‘Under Honorable Conditions’ discharge documentation.

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 background check and urinalysis in order to continue the application process. Disqualifying elements include:

• Convicted of any felony
• Certain misdemeanors within the past five years
• Addicted or in danger of becoming addicted to narcotics
• Convicted, and committed to a State institution; or,
• Convicted of any offense which precludes you from carrying a firearm under State or federal law
• Failed urinalysis drug testing prior to employment

Academic Credentials: High school diploma or its equivalent with the ability to read at the 10th grade level. The agency advises getting a formal degree in criminal justice or related fields before applying and defines related concentrations as any that include animal sciences, hard sciences (excluding math), criminal sciences, and psychology

POST Training and Field Placement

Recruit Training

19 weeks at the North Carolina Justice Academy in boot camp type structure.

POST Training

A course certifying candidates as Peace Officers readies them to continue the Wildlife Officer Application process. Training includes:

• Criminal, civil, and court proceedings
• Environment specific training
• Traffic and patrol practices
• Firearms training
• Trafficking enforcement
• Additional specific training

Field Placement

At least six months with a veteran wildlife enforcement officer

Interview: Candidates will have a face-to-face panel interview during the later stages of the application process

Medical Condition: The applicant must be examined by a licensed physician and produce a signed affidavit indicating that they are in ‘excellent’ physical health

Hearing: Candidates should have a ‘normal’ range of hearing and may be subject to a hearing test.

Vision: Visual acuity not less than 20/30 in each eye without correction and corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Normal color vision and possessed of a peripheral field of view Physical Readiness: The applicant must be in sound physical condition and able to swim. Applicants must successfully complete each component of the physical readiness testing.

Psychological Condition: Candidates must have suitable mental health for the responsibilities of the role.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications

• Use and carry various firearms safely and effectively
• Demonstrate an aptitude for collecting and preserving evidence, writing reports, and testifying in court.
• Ability to promote and coordinate hunter education programs
• Ability to collect and report information on the conditions of fish and wildlife and their habitat
• Willingness to enthusiastically and professionally represent the agency at North Carolina schools and meetings of special interest groups
• Effectively operate and negotiate a vehicle on rough terrain
• Professional development or college courses in natural resource management, criminology, psychology, business management or sciences
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database and email software in a networked environment
• Additional languages are an asset

Salaries for North Carolina’s Wildlife Enforcement Officers

North Carolina’s Labor & Economic Analysis agency reported that wildlife enforcement officers earned an average salary of $39,210 ($18.85/hour) as of 2016.  Experienced officers averaged $43,220 ($20.78/hour), while wildlife enforcement officers just starting out earned an average of $31,190 ($15.00/hour).

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers a substantial benefits package to its wildlife enforcement officers that includes:

• Paid vacation: starting at 11 days per year and increasing incrementally to a maximum of 25 days a year
• Paid sick leave: 12 days a year
• Special leave for a variety of circumstances including jury duty and volunteer work among other things
• Insurance: health, workers’ compensation, disability, supplemental, and unemployment
• Retirement plan
• Academic assistance
• Longevity pay

North Carolina Wildlife Resource Comission

1703 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1701
Phone: (919) 707-0101
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Careers/BecomeanEnforcementOfficer.aspx