Kentucky game warden applicants are advised to be both qualified for the role and able to prove they are the best candidates for the job. There is stiff competition for the few positions that become available each year and applicants should be ready to demonstrate they have what it takes to effectively enforce natural resource conservation laws in the state’s most popular areas for hunting and angling.
Game wardens are responsible for more than law enforcement, performing tasks that include environmental interpretation education, collecting census information on the wildlife and habitats in their area, and occasionally participating in search and rescue missions.
With fierce competition for open game warden positions in Kentucky, applicants need to understand qualifications and best practices, and what the selection process entails in order to have the best shot at landing the job. Candidates should be prepared for multiple interviews and a rigorous selection process.
![](https://www.gamewarden.org/wp-content/themes/gamewarden/images/states/KY.jpg)
Kentucky Game Warden Eligibility Requirements
Kentucky is a state with much diversity in terms of its natural landscape, animal habitats and resources. It has the world’s longest cave system, many navigable waterways, and large lakes. Kentucky wildlife census data in recent years has shown that the state has the highest deer and turkey populations in the nation, as well as the largest free-ranging elk herd east of the Mississippi River.
Kentucky has a real need for individuals capable of protecting and managing the state’s abundant resources. Conservation officers throughout the state are committed to enforcing fish and game regulations through patrol and enforcement, issuing citations, investigating boating and hunting accidents, and supporting agency education programs. Conservation officers also provide the public with hunting and fishing information and promote and coordinate hunter education and firearm and boating safety classes.
The diverse set of job duties means that candidates must be prepared to showcase their skills, knowledge, and motivation when applying for the jobs that become available. Listed below are the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ minimum qualifications to become a Conservation Officer. Additional information as well as job postings are available through the Kentucky state web portal.
Basic Qualifications to Become a Game Warden in Kentucky
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, as well as proof of Kentucky residency
License: A valid Kentucky-issued driver’s license is required.
Military Service: If a former member of any branch of the United States military branches, 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. 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 addictions to drugs or alcohol
- Good moral character
- Not presently on probation by court order
- Never been convicted of a felony
- Never been convicted of a crime involving moral laxity
- Never been convicted of a felony offense or domestic violence
- 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; an Associate degree or completion of 54 semester hours from a college or university, OR Experience in sworn law enforcement that includes making arrest for criminal activity and conducting criminal investigations OR military service will substitute for the required education on a year for year basis, OR two years’ experience working in wildlife resources, agriculture, natural resources or recreation will substitute for each year of the required education.
Additional Requirements:
- Online employment application
- Written skills test, focusing on professional English, report writing and mathematics
- Certification as a law enforcement officer by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Training Commission while an employee is on ‘conditional’ status
Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOJCT)
Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOJCT)
A 23-week course consisting of basic police officer training in firearms, defensive tactics, search and seizure, and arrest
Fish and Wildlife Academy
- A 12-week specialty-training course consisting of training on the following:
- Firearms
- Drug Identification
- Hazardous Devices and the Expandable Baton
- ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) Patrol
- Waterfowl Training
- Kravis Magi Self Defense
- Wildlife Forensics
- Water Survival
- Emergency Vessel Operations
- Boat Accident Investigations
- Fish Identification
- Marine Theft
- Media Relations
- Land Navigation
Field Training
16 weeks of practical training for the role, aided by primary and secondary Field Training Officers
Interview: Candidates will have a panel interview with senior enforcement officers designed to evaluate experience, knowledge and demeanor.
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 good corrected or uncorrected binocular vision, and have color vision consistent with the demands of the job.
Physical Readiness (POP): The applicant must successfully complete a physical readiness test showing that he or she is able to complete performance as shown below:
- Bench press 64% of his or her body weight
- Complete 18 sit-ups in one minute
- Run for 300 meters in 65 seconds or less
- Complete 20 push-ups with no time limit
- Must run a mile and a half in 17 minutes and 12 seconds or less
- Must complete a 100 yard swim using either freestyle, breast stroke or side stroke followed by a 10 minute tread immediately followed by retrieving an object from 7 feet of water.
Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health according to medical criteria
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
- 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
- High moral character, demonstrating integrity and honesty;
- 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
- Remain committed to professional development
- Effectively operate and negotiate a 4-wheel drive vehicle on rugged terrain
- Effectively utilize boats, snowmobiles, and ATVs for patrol and pursuit
- Demonstrate effective use of firearms.
- Professional development or college courses in psychology, law enforcement, sociology, or natural resources management
Salaries for Conservation Officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Since the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources employs conservation officers in the Commonwealth as commissioned law enforcement officers with Peace Officer Professional Standard certification, their salary schedule is similar to that of other law enforcement officers. Still, their salaries can vary depending on many factors including location, experience, and level of education.
According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, as of 2017 conservation officers in the state earned the following annual salaries and hourly pay rates based on time in service:
Midpoint:
- Annual (40-hour week) - $41,161
- Annual (37.5-hour week) - $38,588
- Hourly - $21.88
Entry Level:
- Annual (40-hour week) - $31,071
- Annual (37.5-hour week) - $29,129
- Hourly - $16.43
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
#1 Sportsman's Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (800) 858-1549
http://fw.ky.gov/Enforcement/Pages/Career-in-Law-Enforcement.aspx
School Programs
Program | Programs Offered |
---|---|
Alice Lloyd College 100 Purpose Rd, Pippa Passes, KY 41844 Phone: (606) 368-2101 |
|
Asbury University 1 Macklem Dr, Wilmore, KY 40390-1198 Phone: (859) 858-3511 |
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Ashland Community and Technical College 1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101-3683 Phone: (606) 326-2000 |
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Bellarmine University 2001 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40205-0671 Phone: (502) 272-8263 |
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Berea College 101 Chestnut Street, Berea, KY 40404-2182 Phone: (859) 985-3000 |
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Big Sandy Community and Technical College 1 Bert Combs Dr, Prestonsburg, KY 41653 Phone: (606) 886-3863 x0 |
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Bluegrass Community and Technical College 470 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY 40506 Phone: (859) 246-6200 |
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Brescia University 717 Frederica St, Owensboro, KY 42301-3023 Phone: (270) 685-3131 |
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Campbellsville University 1 University Dr, Campbellsville, KY 42718-2799 Phone: (270) 789-5000 x5000 |
|
Centre College 600 W Walnut St, Danville, KY 40422-1394 Phone: (859) 238-5200 |
|
Eastern Kentucky University 521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond, KY 40475-3102 Phone: (859) 622-1000 |
|
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College 600 College Street Rd, Elizabethtown, KY 42701-3081 Phone: (270) 769-2371 |
|
Gateway Community and Technical College 500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042 Phone: (859) 441-4500 |
|
Georgetown College 400 East College Street, Georgetown, KY 40324-1696 Phone: (502) 863-8000 |
|
Hazard Community and Technical College One Community College Drive, Hazard, KY 41701-2402 Phone: (606) 487-3503 |
|
Hopkinsville Community College 720 North Dr., Hopkinsville, KY 42240 Phone: (270) 707-3700 |
|
Jefferson Community and Technical College 109 E Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202-2005 Phone: (502) 213-4000 |
|
Kentucky State University 400 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601-2355 Phone: (502) 597-6000 |
|
Kentucky Wesleyan College 3000 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301 Phone: (270) 926-3111 |
|
Lindsey Wilson College 210 Lindsey Wilson St, Columbia, KY 42728-1223 Phone: (270) 384-2126 |
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Madisonville Community College 2000 College Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431 Phone: (270) 821-2250 |
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Maysville Community and Technical College 1755 U.S. Hwy 68, Maysville, KY 41056 Phone: (606) 759-7141 x66242 |
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Midway College 512 E. Stephens St, Midway, KY 40347-1120 Phone: (859) 846-4421 |
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Morehead State University University Blvd, Morehead, KY 40351 Phone: (606) 783-2000 |
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Murray State University 218 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071-3318 Phone: (270) 809-3011 |
|
Northern Kentucky University Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099 Phone: (859) 572-5100 |
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Owensboro Community and Technical College 4800 New Hartford Rd, Owensboro, KY 42303 Phone: (270) 686-4400 |
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Saint Catharine College 2735 Bardstown Road, Saint Catharine, KY 40061 Phone: (859) 336-5082 |
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Somerset Community College 808 Monticello Street, Somerset, KY 42501-2973 Phone: (877) 629-9722 |
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Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College 700 College Rd, Cumberland, KY 40823 Phone: (606) 589-2145 |
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Thomas More College 333 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills, KY 41017-3495 Phone: (859) 341-5800 |
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Transylvania University 300 N Broadway, Lexington, KY 40508-1797 Phone: (859) 233-8300 |
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Union College 310 College St, Barbourville, KY 40906-1499 Phone: (606) 546-4151 |
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University of Kentucky South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40506-0032 Phone: (859) 257-9000 |
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University of Louisville 2301 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40292-0001 Phone: (502) 852-5555 |
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University of Pikeville 147 Sycamore St, Pikeville, KY 41501 Phone: (606) 218-5250 |
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University of the Cumberlands 6191 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, KY 40769 Phone: (606) 549-2200 |
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West Kentucky Community and Technical College 4810 Alben Barkley Drive, Paducah, KY 42002-7380 Phone: (270) 554-9200 x0 |
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Western Kentucky University 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101-1000 Phone: (270) 745-0111 |
|
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