How to Become a Game Warden in Illinois

Illinois Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

The Illinois Office of Law Enforcement supports state Department of Natural Resource programs designed to protect the state’s natural resources. Thanks to Conservation Police Officers, the state is able to regulate and enforce hunting and angling regulations, as well as firearm, boating, and trapping safety. While conservation of natural resources is their primary duty, Illinois Conservation Police Officers have full police authority that is in effect state-wide. These individuals train to the same high standards that state police officers do. In addition to the above mentioned responsibilities, Conservation Police Officers lead advocacy and classes, and often support other agencies during emergency situations.

Qualified applicants that enjoy the wilderness regions of the state and who are also interested in law enforcement are encouraged to pursue Conservation Police Officer application process. However, due to the rigorous requirements of the role, applicants should be fully prepared for the process. Listed below are the minimum qualifications to apply for the role of Conservation Police Officer in the state of Illinois. A full listing of the requirements can be found on Illinois’ Department of Natural Resources website.

Illinois Conservation Police Officer Basic Job Qualifications

Age: 21 years of age or older is required at the time of the start of training

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization documents are required, as well as proof of Illinois residency

License: A valid Illinois-issued driver’s license is required.

Military Service: If discharged from the U.S. military, "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.

Background and Legal History: Applicants must pass an intensive fingerprint Background check in order to continue the application process to ensure that candidates have:

• Not been convicted of domestic violence
• Never illegally manufactured, transported, purchased, distributed, used or sold a controlled substance
• Are not on court-ordered probation
• Never convicted of a felony offense

Academic Credentials:

• Have completed a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have an Associate’s degree and 3 years’ experience as a police officer,
  • Or have a 4-year Bachelor’s degree
  • Or have been awarded with a medal in addition to military ‘Honorable Discharge’
  • Or finally, be an active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reservist in the US Armed Forces

Additional Requirements:

• State of Illinois CMS (Central Management Services) Employment Application
• POWER Scores for Physical readiness
• Conservation Police Officer Trainee Program
• Contingent on the success of Background, physical and educational factors, a candidate may be offered a trainee role for a minimum of one year. Training consists of:
  • Basic Law Enforcement Course: 480 hours of coursework which covers basic peace officer topics such as human behavior, patrol techniques, and police proficiency skills
  • Basic Conservation Police: 480 hours of training topics that include wildlife enforcement, watercraft safety, state park and site regulations, and endangered species protection
  • Field Training: CPOTs receive five months of on-the-job training by working with veteran field officers in a rotation of various field locations.
• Upon successfully passing all components of the CPOT Trainee year and subsequent 4 months of probation, a candidate is considered certified as a Conservation Police Officer.

Interview: Candidates will have an oral interview to evaluate character, as well as relevant experience and

Medical evaluation: The candidate will be in ‘good’ medical health according to POST requirements

Hearing: The applicant must be able to hear without significant loss.

Vision: The applicant must have good vision in both eyes and may use corrective lenses.

The Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER)

Physical Readiness: The applicant must successfully demonstrate the following skills through the POWER (Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report):

• Aerobic capacity through a 1.5-mile run
• Strength using bench press weights
• Muscular endurance as determined by the quantity of sit-ups completed in one minute
• Flexibility measured by a sit and reach test

Upon passing POWER, a swim criteria must be evaluated:

• Swimming 300 yards using any stroke recognized by the American Red Cross
• Treading water for 10 minutes
• Retrieving a 5-lb weight from at least 10 feet of water

Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health as evaluated

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrate effective use of English including grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition; reading and comprehension for oral and verbal communication
• Demonstrate effective use of mathematics including advanced arithmetic, basic accounting, estimating, and data collection
• Demonstrate any receptive and expressive bilingual skills.
• 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 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

Salaries for Conservation Police Officers with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported that conservation police officers in the state earn significantly higher wages than their colleagues in the country overall. For example, the median salary among officers in Illinois was $91,542 as of 2015 - 76% higher than the national median for game wardens.

Experienced game wardens in Illinois earned an even higher average salary - $101,214. Even the entry-level salary for a game warden in the state exceeded the national median among game wardens, with those just starting out earning an average of $62,371.

In Illinois, game wardens employed with the state’s Department of Natural Resources are known as conservation police officers. The Illinois Department of Central Management Services breaks out the salaries for these commissioned law enforcement officers, which includes significant increases for longevity.

Conservation police officers work as trainees for a two-month period earning within the range of $2,207 and $4,140 a month depending on experience. The monthly salaries for Level I and II conservation police officers as of 2017 are shown below:

• Conservation Police Officer I: $3,136 - $6,412
  • Longevity Year – 9: $6,762
  • Longevity Year – 10: $7,158
  • Longevity Year – 12: $7,335
  • Longevity Year – 15: $7,443
  • Longevity Year – 21: $7,468

• Conservation Police Officer II: $3,174 - $6,452
  • Longevity Year – 9: $6,846
  • Longevity Year – 10: $7,243
  • Longevity Year – 12: $7,422
  • Longevity Year – 15: $7,877
  • Longevity Year – 17: $8,243
  • Longevity Year – 20: $8,634
  • Longevity Year – 21: $8,742
  • Longevity Year – 22: $9,146
  • Longevity Year – 25: $9,569

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: (217) 782-6431
http://dnr.state.il.us/law3/career.htm