Game wardens who work for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department are known as conservation officers. As certified law enforcement officers, New Hampshire’s conservation officers serve as backup for other law enforcement agencies.
New Hampshire’s status as one of the country’s most forested states results in an incredibly diverse population of wildlife and birds. Unfortunately, this status has resulted in a history of major poaching operations too. One of the primary duties of New Hampshire’s conservation officers is to apprehend these poachers.
In addition to being highly agile physically, game wardens in New Hampshire should have a strong background in biology and ecology. These positions also require knowledge of such diverse areas as statistics and communications.
Additionally, game wardens typically serve in a particular jurisdiction and are responsible for managing all of the fishing, wildlife, and habitat issues that may occur throughout their area.
This rigorous combination of skills results in challenging positions that are highly sought after. Hiring departments rigorously evaluate potential candidates to ensure they hire only the most qualified candidates. Therefore, having a detailed knowledge of the requirements and selection process for conservation officers will help applicants to effectively showcase their skills for these positions. Read on to determine how to become a successful game warden.
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New Hampshire Game Warden Eligibility Requirements
Conservation officers in New Hampshire enjoy the outdoors, the practice of law enforcement, and working with the public. This elite career path leads to a highly fulfilling job for those that are chosen.
In addition to their law enforcement duties, New Hampshire’s conservation officers also act as public advocates for the protection of natural resources and educate hunters, anglers, and other members of the public.
Applicants for conservation officer positions should be prepared to demonstrate that they have a wide array of skills that will both help them enforce the law and interact well with the public.
Job Qualifications for the New Hampshire Wildlife Department
The New Hampshire Wildlife Department website offers information on training, volunteer opportunities, and job positions. Eligibility criteria include:
Age: 21 years of age or older at the time of the job announcement
Citizenship: Proof of U.S. citizenship or of permanent resident alien status who is eligible and has applied for citizenship; applicants must be a citizen at time of appointment and reside in New Hampshire.
License: A valid New Hampshire-issued driver’s license is required. Individuals must maintain a ‘good’ driving record.
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 in order to continue the application process. Disqualifying elements include:
- Convicted of a felony in New Hampshire or any other state;
- Convicted of any offense in any state that would have been a felony if committed in New Hampshire;
- 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
- Failed polygraph testing prior to employment
- Evidence of poor moral decision-making
Academic Credentials: High school diploma or GED. An associate’s degree or two years as a certified police officer or in full-time military service are required to complete the application.
Additional Requirements:
Written test of knowledge for field skills, English and math
POST Training for Conservation Officers
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
- Best practices for traffic management and officer patrol
- Firearms training
- Trafficking enforcement
- Additional specific training
Interview: Candidates will have a face-to-face panel interview during the later stages of the application process to evaluate knowledge and skills, judgment skills, critical thinking abilities, and maturity.
Medical Condition: The applicant is to be examined by a licensed physician to ensure that they are in good health.
Hearing: The applicant must have hearing adequate for the job, including long distance, directional and voice conversation hearing.
Vision: Visual acuity not less than 20/40 in each eye without correction and corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Normal perception of color is required due to requirements of the job.
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:
- Timed distance run
- Timed water treading
- Timed swimming length
- Weighted drag
- Weighted carry
- Max cardio to fail or time
Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health to complete training and be eligible for hire
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications
- Use and carry various firearms safely and effectively
- Capable of patrolling on foot, on horseback, by boat, snowmobile and ATV
- 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 New Hampshire 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 foundational math skills including advanced arithmetic, payroll/accounts receivable, and estimation
- Additional languages are an asset
Salaries of New Hampshire’s Conservation Officers
The New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services reports the salaries for the state’s conservation officers as of 2017. The salaries vary depending on an eight-step pay grade, and the minimum and maximum salary for each type of position are shown below:
- Conservation Officer Trainee: $35,797 - $47,445
- Conservation Officer 1: $37,253 – $49,379
- Conservation Officer II: $40,269 - $53,602
- Conservation Officer Sergeant: $$43,722 - $58,801
- Conservation Officer Lieutenant: $47,445 - $64,107
- Conservation Officer Captain: $51,699 - $72,966
- Conservation Officer Major: $58,802 - $80,330
- Conservation Officer Colonel: $64,106 – $87,984
New Hampshire Fish and Game
11 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-3127
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/law-enforcement/careers.html
School Programs
Program | Programs Offered |
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Antioch University-New England 40 Avon St, Keene, NH 03431 Phone: (603) 357-3122 |
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Colby-Sawyer College 541 Main St, New London, NH 03257-7835 Phone: (603) 526-3000 |
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Dartmouth College 207 Parkhurst Hall, Hanover, NH 03755-3529 Phone: (603) 646-1110 |
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Franklin Pierce University 40 University Drive, Rindge, NH 03461-0060 Phone: (603) 899-4000 |
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Granite State College 25 Hall Street, Concord, NH 03301-3471 Phone: (603) 228-3000 |
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Great Bay Community College 320 Corporate Dr, Portsmouth, NH 03801-2879 Phone: (603) 427-7600 |
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Keene State College 229 Main Street, Keene, NH 03435-1506 Phone: (603) 352-1909 |
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Nashua Community College 505 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03063-1026 Phone: (603) 578-8900 |
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NHTI-Concord's Community College 31 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301-7412 Phone: (603) 271-6484 |
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Plymouth State University 17 High Street, Plymouth, NH 03264-1595 Phone: (603) 535-5000 |
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River Valley Community College One College Place, Claremont, NH 03743-9707 Phone: (603) 542-7744 |
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Rivier University 420 South Main St, Nashua, NH 03060 Phone: (603) 888-1311 |
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Saint Anselm College 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102-1310 Phone: (603) 641-7000 |
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University of New Hampshire at Manchester 400 Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101-1113 Phone: (603) 641-4321 |
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University of New Hampshire-Main Campus 105 Main St., Thompson Hall, Durham, NH 03824-3547 Phone: (603) 862-1234 |
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White Mountains Community College 2020 Riverside Road, Berlin, NH 03570 Phone: (603) 752-1113 |
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