How to Become a Game Warden in Louisiana

Louisiana Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

With the Delta playing host to amazing natural resources as well as vast areas of fragile coastal marsh and swamplands, the state of Louisiana is home to a diverse array of wildlife and birds. Consequently, there is a need for highly skilled and personally motivated men and women to serve as wildlife officers throughout the state. These individuals have a love of the outdoors that is matched by their passion for law enforcement principles and practices.

Also known as game wardens, wildlife officers in Louisiana enforce hunting and fishing regulations, prevent poaching, enforce littering regulations and teach hunting and boating safety classes. While these tasks form the main part of the wildlife officer’s day to day duties, they also have statewide jurisdiction to enforce all criminal and civil laws whether related to natural resource management or not.

The role is a challenging one, and all candidates must be prepared to demonstrate the skills and passion they have to offer the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Outlined below are the minimum qualifications for Wildlife Officer Candidates.

Meeting the Basic Qualifications for a Job in Wildlife Conservation

Age: 18 years of age or older is required at the time of appointment

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization documents and proof of residence in Louisiana are required

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

Military Service: If formerly a member of any branch of the United States military, 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 been placed on court-ordered probation
• Not been convicted of a felony
• Not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude
• Never been convicted of a felony offense
• No record 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; as well as fulfillment of one of the following requirements: Gaining two years of experience as a certified full-time peace officer with duties that include carrying a firearm and arresting suspects; OR completing at least sixty semester hours at an accredited college or university OR presenting a combination of work experience as a peace officer and coursework at an accredited college or university OR an associate’s degree program from a technical college in a field related to criminal justice, law enforcement, forestry or conservation, or business administration (credits taken at a technical college without earning a degree will not satisfy the requirement) OR earning a two-year diploma or certificate from a vocational or technical school in a field related to criminal justice, law enforcement, forestry or conservation, or business administration OR earning completed diploma or certificate in a two-year program in business administration, business management, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, forestry or a conservation related science from a vocational or technical school OR serving in the military for at least four years of continuous active duty.

Additional Requirements:

• Certification as a law enforcement officer by the Louisiana Law Enforcement Training Commission while an employee is on ‘conditional’ status
• Civil Service Law Enforcement and Protective Services (LEAP) exam (70%+ required)
• Written skills test, focusing on professional English, report writing and mathematics

Interview: A panel interview with enforcement officers is designed to evaluate experience, knowledge and demeanor.

Preparation for POST Training

Louisiana Cadet Academy Training: A 6-month course consisting of POST enforcement officer training in firearms, defensive tactics, search and seizure, and arrest. Additional training includes:

• Fish and Wildlife Training
• ATV operator certification
• Hunter education instructor certification
• Water survival
• Navigation
• Enforcement of state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws
• Advanced boat handling and marine theft identification
• Wildlife, waterfowl and fish identification and forensics
• Advanced training in physical fitness and firearms
• Defensive tactics and firearms specific to marine environments, rural night operations, and boat operations
• Field Training
• Taking place in their designated parish, new graduates will be partnered with experienced officers who act as mentors in the field

Medical evaluation: Medical personnel must evaluate a candidate to ensure they are in ‘good’ 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 the job.

Physical Readiness: The applicant must successfully complete a physical readiness test showing that he or she is able to perform as shown below:

• Bench press a portion of body weight
• Complete 18 sit-ups in one minute
• Run for 300 meters in 65 seconds or less
• Complete 20 push-ups
• Run a mile and a half in 17 minutes and 12 seconds or less
• Complete a 100 yard swim using the following techniques or any combination thereof: 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 as evaluated by the state

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 skills in additional languages.
• 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
• Demonstrate competent firearm usage and willingness to train others on their use and safety.
• Professional development or college courses in psychology, law enforcement, sociology, or natural resources management

Wildlife Enforcement Agent Salaries in Louisiana

Wildlife enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have no shortage of opportunities for advancement and better pay through career progression. The Louisiana Department of Civil Service reported the range of salaries, from minimum to maximum, for each position as of 2017:

• Wildlife enforcement cadet: $25,752 – $57,912
• Wildlife enforcement agent: $27,564 - $61,968
• Wildlife enforcement senior agent: $29,496 - $66,312
• Wildlife enforcement sergeant: $33,756 - $75,924
• Wildlife enforcement lieutenant: $38,664 - $86,928
• Wildlife enforcement captain: $44,268 - $99,528
• Wildlife enforcement major: $50,664 - $113,940
• Wildlife enforcement lieutenant colonel: $$58,008 - $130,440
• Wildlife enforcement colonel: $62,064 - $139,572

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

2000 Quail Dr.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898
Phone: (800) 256-2749
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/enforcement/becoming-agent