How to Become a Game Warden in Kentucky

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