How to Become a Game Warden in Maryland

Maryland Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

One of the most densely populated states, Maryland is nonetheless home to diverse animal habitats and wildlife. A love of Maryland’s natural beauty and a passion for protecting the wildlife and natural resources found here are primary qualifiers for pursuing a career as a game warden, known as Natural Resources Police Officers in the state. In this highly populated, carefully protected and diverse state, there are many opportunities for officers to advance their career once they’ve been hired on with the DNR.

While wardens are primarily committed to managing fish and game regulations they may also be presented with the opportunity to enforce Maryland state laws for any crime committed within their jurisdiction. Natural Resources Police Officers protect Maryland’s land and marine resources from poachers, promote and coordinate hunter education, boat registration, and firearm and boating safety courses, survey fish and wildlife populations, and communicate with service groups and students about the importance of natural resource conservation.

This challenging set of job responsibilities means that an officer candidate must be well prepared for a rigorous selection process. Additional information and job postings are available through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.

Basic Qualifications for Natural Resources Police Officer Jobs

Age: 20.5 years of age or older is required at the time of appointment

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization documents are required. Additionally, confirmation of residency within the estate of Maryland is required.

License: A valid Maryland-issued driver’s license is required for application.

Military Service: If applicant is a former member of any branch of the United States military, he or she must have Honorable Discharge paperwork

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 with polygraph in order to continue the application process. This is to ensure that candidates have:

• Freedom from drug or alcohol addiction
• Evidence of good character
• Not been presently on probation by court order
• Not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral laxity
• Never convicted of a felony offense
• No convictions 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
• Candidates will be subject to drug urinalysis

Academic Credentials: Completion of high school or GED is required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or wildlife management is an asset

Additional Requirements: Written examination

Law Enforcement and Fish and Wildlife Training

Law Enforcement Technique Training

Basic officer training in firearms, defensive tactics, search and seizure, and arrests

Fish and Wildlife Training

A specialty-training course consisting of training on the following:

• ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) Patrol
• 4-wheel Operations
• Waterfowl Identification and Seizure training
• Wildlife, Waterfowl and Fish Forensics
• Survival and Emergency Vessel Operations
• Boat Accident Investigations and Recreations

Interview: Candidates will have a panel interview with enforcement officers and human resources personnel.

Medical evaluation: The candidate will be evaluated to ensure that he or she is in good health.

Hearing: The applicant must be able to demonstrate ‘good’ hearing.

Vision: The applicant must have 20/20 uncorrected binocular vision.

Polygraph Test: Candidates are interviewed about their personal history and potential offenses by a trained polygraph operator

Physical Readiness Test: The applicant must successfully complete a physical readiness test showing that they are able to complete performance as shown below:

• 18 push-ups in 1 minute
• 27 sit-ups in 1 minute
• Being able to reach about 1.5” beyond toes
• Running 1.5 miles in 15:20 or less
• Pulling a handgun trigger 10 times using each hand

Psychological Condition: Candidates must have sound psychological and emotional health suitable for their potential job.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrate effective use of English including written mechanics and clarity, as well as reasoned verbal discussions.
• 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
• Effectively use firearms and train others on firearm usage and safety

Salaries for Natural Resources Officers

Natural resources officers in Maryland earn extremely high salaries compared to other game wardens throughout the rest of the country.  In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that within their profession, Maryland’s natural resources officers earned the 4^th highest average salary in the nation in 2016.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation (DLIR) reported that the median salary among natural resource officers in the state was $80,390 ($38.65 hourly) as of 2016.  This is more than 50% higher than the national median.

Even the average entry-level salary for a natural resources officer in Maryland exceeds the national median for game wardens.  Entry-level natural resources officers earned an average of $58,499 ($28.12 hourly), while experienced officers averaged $86,373 ($41.53 hourly).

The DLIR reports on the salary ranges for natural resources officers at varying levels, from cadets to Lieutenant Colonel.  The full professional level for a natural resources police officer in Maryland is designated as Police Officer First Class (2017):

• Natural Resources Police Officer Candidate: $35,000
• Natural Resources Police Officer: $46,920 - $84,573
• Natural Resources Police Officer First Class: $50,205 – $90,493
• Natural Resources Police Corporal: $53,800 - $96,973
• Natural Resources Police Sergeant: $57,566 - $103,761
• Natural Resources Police Lieutenant: $65,545 - $118,141
• Natural Resources Police Captain: $68,987 - $124,347
• Natural Resources Police Major: $73,816 - $133,046
• Natural Resources Police Lieutenant Colonel: $78,893 - $142,361

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

580 Taylor Ave
Annapolis MD 21401
Phone: (443) 534-2288
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/nrp/Pages/careers.aspx