How to Become a Game Warden in Minnesota

Minnesota Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

Conservation officers in Minnesota both love the outdoors and enjoy the practice of law enforcement. As accredited peace officers, Minnesota’s conservation officers can enforce all state laws.

In addition to acting as law enforcement agents by apprehending poachers and other criminals, these officers advocate for the Department of Natural Resources. They speak to schools and advocacy groups and offer hunting, firearms, and boating safety courses.

Applicants for conservation officer positions should study the minimum qualifications for conservation officers, so they can prepare themselves to meet the criteria.

Basic Job Qualifications for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website offers information on training, volunteer opportunities, and job positions. Eligibility criteria include:

Age: 21 years of age or older at the time of appointment

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization documents are required as well as proof of residency within the state

License: A valid Minnesota-issued driver’s license is required, with a ‘clean’ record

Military Service: A discharge "Under Honorable Conditions" is required for US military veterans

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:

• Good moral character
• Not been placed currently on court-ordered probation
• Not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral laxity
• Never convicted of a felony offense
• No drug or alcohol addiction
• Not been convicted of a crime of domestic violence, misdemeanor or otherwise
• Not 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

Meeting the Peace Officer Training Requirements

Applicants must:

• Become certified as a Peace officer through POST
• Complete basic police training in lieu of POST
• Pass a general written exam

General Officer Training

• 12 weeks of classroom studies and field work covering:
• Firearms safety
• Marksmanship
• Minnesota hunting and fishing laws
• Environmental law
• Defensive tactics
• Emergency vehicle operations
• Physical fitness
• Boat training/exiting a submerged vehicle

Field Training

Three months in the field partnered with a seasoned officer

Interview: Candidates will have a formal panel interview with senior officers and human resources personnel to evaluate experience and knowledge.

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 a warden officer.

Physical Readiness Testing: The applicant must successfully complete a physical readiness test showing that he or she is able to complete performance in line with state minimum standards.

Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health according to medical criteria

Ongoing Professional Development

Each officer is required to complete 50 hours of continuing education each year

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
• 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
• Effectively use firearms and train others on firearm usage and safety
• Professional development or college courses in psychology, law enforcement, sociology, or natural resources management

Conservation Officer Salaries with the Minnesota DNR

Minnesota’s conservation officers earn salaries that are higher than what is typical for this profession in most other parts of the country. In addition to their base salaries, they are also eligible for seasonal overtime pay, and enjoy a substantial benefits package.

The Minnesota Management and Budget Office provides salary ranges for state conservation officer positions at various levels as calculated for fiscal year 2017.  Even the minimum salary for Minnesota’s conservation officers exceeds the national median for this profession:

• Conservation Officers in general service: $53,787 - $70,929
• Conservation Officers in specialized roles: $57,044 - $75,293
  • Community Liaison
  • Regular Training Officer
  • Water Research Specialist
• Conservation Officer Unit Leader: $57,044 - $75,293
• Conservation Officer Special Investigator: $59,383 - $78,279
• Conservation Officer Pilot: $60,510 - $79,866

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
Phone: (888) 646-6367
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement/jobs/hiring.html