How to Become a Game Warden in Maine

Maine Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

Maine’s natural hallmarks are its rocky coastline, heavily forested terrain, and waterways teeming with fish. Individuals that enjoy Maine’s wilderness regions and who have a passion for protecting it are encouraged to apply to become a Maine state Game Warden, a career path that has exciting opportunities for motivated individuals in one of America’s great wilderness areas.

Game Wardens patrol these lands as a uniformed presence and conduct surveillance and enforcement action to manage the activities of hunters, anglers and others enjoying recreational activities in Maine’s wilderness areas. At the same time, they serve as educators who work to improve the public’s understanding of why conservation efforts are so important.

As certified peace officers, Maine’s Game Wardens have a challenging set of responsibilities. This means every candidate needs to be prepared with foundational knowledge in both law enforcement and natural resource conservation.

Qualifying to Become a Game Warden

Listed here are the minimum qualifications needed to apply for the role of Game Warden in the state of Maine. A full listing of the requirements can be found on the state’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

Age: 20 or 21 years of age or older is required depending on college degree status. Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization documents are required as well as proof of residency within Maine

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

Military Service: Members of the military require a discharge detailing "Under Honorable Conditions"

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 currently on court-ordered probation
• Never been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude
• Never been convicted of a felony offense
• Never been convicted of a crime of domestic violence, misdemeanor or otherwise
• 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’s 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

Certification as a law enforcement officer by the Maine Law Enforcement Training Commission while an employee is on ‘conditional’ status

BLETP and Game Warden Academy Training

Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP)

An 18-week course consisting of basic police officer training in firearms, defensive tactics, search and seizure, and arrest

Advanced Warden Academy

• A 12-week specialty-training course consisting of training on the following:
• Firearms
• Drug Identification
• Hazardous Devices
• ATV and 4-wheel Operations
• Waterfowl Training
• Self Defense
• Wildlife Forensics
• Water Survival
• Emergency Vessel Operations
• Boat Accident Investigations
• Fish Identification
• Marine Theft and Commercial Fishing Operations
• Trapping
• Reptile Identification
• Media Relations
• Land Navigation

Interview: Candidates will have a panel interview with enforcement officers designed to test practical knowledge of the outdoors, quick thinking, writing skills and computer knowledge.

Medical evaluation: Medical personnel will evaluate the candidate before they can continue with the hiring process.

Hearing: The applicant must be able to demonstrate excellent 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 complete performance as shown below:

• Sit and Reach
• Sit-ups
• Push-ups
• Running
• Swimming
• Treading 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
• Demonstrate any Bilingualism is 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
• Demonstrate effective use of firearms.
• Professional development or college courses are an asset

Game Warden Salaries Throughout Maine

The Maine Department of Labor reported that the average salary for game wardens working with state’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife was $48,040 ($23.10 hourly) as of 2016. Experienced game wardens earned an average of $52,130 ($25.06 hourly), while entry-level game warden positions paid an average of $39,850 ($19.16 hourly).

Location significantly affects the pay of Maine’s game wardens, particularly those just starting out. Entry-level wages varied by as much as $5.00 an hour:

Annual Salaries:

Portland:

• Experienced - $51,610
• Mean - $48,260
• Entry-level - $41,570

Cumberland County:

• Experienced - $52,414
• Mean - $49,189
• Entry-level - $42,737

Coastal Counties:

• Experienced - $48,341
• Mean - $43,010
• Entry-level - $32,347

Hourly Wages:

Portland:

• Experienced - $24.81
• Mean - $23.20
• Entry-level - $19.99

Cumberland County:

• Experienced - $25.20
• Mean - $23.65
• Entry-level - $20.55

Coastal Counties:

• Experienced - $23.24
• Mean - $20.68
• Entry-level - $15.55

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0041
Phone: (207) 287-8000
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/warden_service/career.html