At the state level, game wardens work as fully-commissioned peace officers for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and are known as fish & wildlife enforcement officers.
Washington abounds in diverse habitats for wildlife, birds, and marine life, giving conservation officers equally diverse opportunities to patrol everything from inland waterways and protected wetlands to high desert terrain.
Within these different biomes, Washington’s fish & wildlife enforcement officers support conservation efforts through both a purely law enforcement approach like investing and setting up stings to bust illegal hunting and harvesting operations, to a more scientifically-focused approach like conducting surveys of fish and game populations and observing migratory patterns.
Fish & wildlife enforcement officers also interact with the public to conduct hunter safety, water safety and even firearms training classes. Officers also speak to students, scout groups and other local organizations about challenges to conservation efforts in Washington.
Washington Game Warden Eligibility Requirements
Men and women who have a passion for both law enforcement and working outdoors make ideal candidates for fish & wildlife enforcement officer jobs.
In addition to intercepting poachers and advocating for the protection of Washington’s diverse habitats, these officers also partner with other agencies on everything from public education on conservation efforts, managing volunteer programs, investigating wildlife crimes, and emergency management preparedness drills.
This diverse set of roles means that applicants should be prepared to highlight their expertise in both law enforcement and conservation to increase their chances of being selected as a candidate.
Job Qualifications for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington residents who wish to become a fish & wildlife enforcement officer can find job postings on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website. Eligibility criteria for these positions are shown below:
Age: 21 years of age or older at the time of academy training
Citizenship: Proof of U.S. citizenship or of permanent resident alien status for those who are eligible and have applied for citizenship. Must be a resident of Washington State at the time of hire.
License: A valid Washington-issued driver’s license is required. Employees agree to participate in good-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: Candidates are subject to a thorough background investigation and references check before being eligible for hire. A urinalysis and polygraph test may also be performed. Disqualifying elements include:
- Convicted of a felony in Washington or any other state
- Convicted of any offense in any state which would have been a felony if committed in Washington
- Charged with a felony found to be mentally incompetent
- Found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony
- Determined to be a mentally disordered sex offender
- Addicted or in danger of becoming addicted to narcotics
- Convicted, and committed to a State institution
- Convicted of any offense which precludes you from carrying a firearm under State or federal law
- Failed drug testing
Academic Credentials: High school diploma or its equivalent as well as a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like criminal justice or the natural resource sciences, OR an associate’s (2 year) degree and two years of full-time employment working in natural resources, OR an associate’s degree and three years of recent active military service.
Additional Requirements: Initial test via the Public Safety Testing Company
Law Enforcement and Field Training
Basic Law Enforcement Academy
720 hours of training on basic law enforcement tactics to prepare recruits for the authority to arrest, pursue, and use force as municipal police officers and sheriff’s deputies.
Game Warden Training
One month of in-house training, conducted in Olympia, Washington wherein recruits learn the specifics of law enforcement as it applies to the role of game warden - sworn to serve and protect the state’s wildlife and natural environment.
Field Training Officer
12 weeks partnered with an experienced fish and wildlife enforcement training 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 to ensure that they are in good health.
Hearing: The applicant must have hearing adequate to perform all the essential duties of the role as game warden, including long distance, directional and voice conversation hearing.
Vision: Visual acuity not less than 20/40 in each eye corrected. Normal color vision and possessed of a peripheral field of view of at least 120 degrees horizontally and 100 degrees vertically.
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:
- 300-meter run
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- 1.5-mile run/walk
Psychological Condition: Applicants will participate in a psychological assessment to determine their suitability for hire.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications
- Required to carry and use various firearms and weaponry
- Capable of patrolling on foot, on horseback, by plane, boats, and in a variety of vehicles
- 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 Washington 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
- Ability to make minor vehicle repairs
- Ability to use professional level English grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition; reading and comprehension
- Ability to use foundational math skills including advanced arithmetic, payroll/accounts receivable, and estimation
- Additional languages are an asset
Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer Salaries
Washington State’s fish & wildlife enforcement officers earn exceptionally high wages compared to game wardens in the rest of the country, with a median salary nearly 32% higher than the national median. Even Washington’s fish & wildlife enforcement officers earning salaries that fell within the bottom 25% earned more than the overall national average for the profession.
The Washington Employment Security Department provides the salaries for the state’s wildlife enforcement officers at various levels (2016):
- Median: $68,224 ($32.80 hourly)
- Top 25%: $69,909 ($33.61 hourly)
- Average: $63,336 ($30.45 hourly)
- Bottom 25%: $57,346 ($27.57 hourly)
Washington’s Office of Financial Management reported the salary ranges for fish & wildlife enforcement officers, detectives and sergeants as of 2017. Differences in minimum and maximum pay for each rank are accounted for by time in service with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, education, specialized role and differences in locality pay:
- Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer 1: $48,060 – $64,620
- Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer 2: $53,016 – $71,316
- Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer 3: $55,728 – $74,964
- Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Detective: $60,012 – $80,724
- Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Sergeant: $64,620 – $86,916
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
Phone: (360) 902-2200
http://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/careers/
School Programs
Program | Programs Offered |
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Bastyr University 14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore, WA 98028-4966 Phone: (425) 602-3000 |
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Bellevue College 3000 Landerholm Cir SE, Bellevue, WA 98007-6484 Phone: (425) 564-1000 |
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Bellingham Technical College 3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225-1599 Phone: (360) 752-7000 |
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Central Washington University 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501 Phone: (509) 963-1111 |
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Centralia College 600 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia, WA 98531-4099 Phone: (360) 736-9391 |
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Clark College 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663-3598 Phone: (360) 992-2000 |
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Clover Park Technical College 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499-4004 Phone: (253) 589-5800 |
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Columbia Basin College 2600 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 547-0511 |
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Eastern Washington University 526 5th Street, Cheney, WA 99004-2496 Phone: (509) 359-6200 |
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Edmonds Community College 20000 68th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036-5912 Phone: (425) 640-1459 |
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Gonzaga University E 502 Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99258-0001 Phone: (509) 328-4220 |
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Grays Harbor College 1620 Edward P Smith Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520-7599 Phone: (360) 532-9020 |
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Green River Community College 12401 SE 320th St, Auburn, WA 98092-3622 Phone: (253) 833-9111 |
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Heritage University 3240 Fort Rd, Toppenish, WA 98948 Phone: (509) 865-8500 |
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Highline College 2400 S 240th St, Des Moines, WA 98198-9800 Phone: (206) 878-3710 |
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Lower Columbia College 1600 Maple Street, Longview, WA 98632-0310 Phone: (360) 442-2311 |
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Northwest University 5520 108th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98083-0579 Phone: (425) 822-8266 |
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Pacific Lutheran University 1010 122nd St So, Tacoma, WA 98447-0003 Phone: (253) 531-6900 |
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Peninsula College 1502 E Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, WA 98362 Phone: (360) 452-9277 |
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Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom 9401 Farwest Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98498-1999 Phone: (253) 964-6500 |
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Pierce College-Puyallup 1601 39th Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98374-2222 Phone: (253) 840-8400 |
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Saint Martin's University 5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey, WA 98503-7500 Phone: (360) 491-4700 |
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Seattle Pacific University 3307 3rd Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119-1997 Phone: (206) 281-2000 |
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Seattle University 900 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122-4340 Phone: (206) 296-6000 |
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Shoreline Community College 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133-5696 Phone: (206) 546-4101 |
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Skagit Valley College 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Phone: (360) 416-7600 |
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South Puget Sound Community College 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512-6292 Phone: (360) 596-5241 |
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South Seattle College 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106-1499 Phone: (206) 934-5300 |
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Spokane Community College 1810 North Greene Street, Spokane, WA 99217-5399 Phone: (509) 533-8020 |
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Spokane Falls Community College 3410 W Fort George Wright Dr, Spokane, WA 99224-5288 Phone: (509) 533-3500 |
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Tacoma Community College 6501 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA 98466-6100 Phone: (253) 566-5000 |
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The Evergreen State College 2700 Evergreen Pkwy NW, Olympia, WA 98505-0001 Phone: (360) 867-6170 |
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University of Puget Sound 1500 N. Warner Street, Tacoma, WA 98416 Phone: (253) 879-3100 |
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University of Washington-Bothell Campus 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011-8246 Phone: (425) 352-5000 |
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University of Washington-Seattle Campus 1400 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195-4550 Phone: (206) 543-2100 |
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Walla Walla Community College 500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla, WA 99362-9267 Phone: (509) 522-2500 |
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Walla Walla University 204 S College Ave, College Place, WA 99324-1198 Phone: (509) 527-2615 |
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Washington State University French Administration Building, Pullman, WA 99164-5910 Phone: (509) 335-3564 |
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Wenatchee Valley College 1300 Fifth St, Wenatchee, WA 98801-1799 Phone: (509) 682-6800 |
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Western Washington University 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-9008 Phone: (360) 650-3000 |
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Whatcom Community College 237 W Kellogg Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226 Phone: (360) 383-3000 |
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Whitman College 345 Boyer Ave, Walla Walla, WA 99362 Phone: (509) 527-5111 |
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Whitworth University 300 W Hawthorne Rd, Spokane, WA 99251 Phone: (509) 777-1000 |
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Yakima Valley Community College South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98907-2520 Phone: (509) 574-4600 |
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