How to Become a Game Warden in Michigan

Michigan Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

Conservation officers are responsible for protecting Michigan’s unique habitats:

• The longest freshwater coastline in the country
• Almost 65,000 inland water sources
• Considerable forest habitats

Serving as a conservation officer is an ideal career for men and women who love the natural wonders Michigan has to offer and that are driven by a strong desire to protect the state’s natural resources. Such individuals are likely to find this type of position highly rewarding. While conservation officers primarily manage fishing and hunting regulations, they also routinely promote and coordinate hunter education, firearm, and boating safety courses.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Basic Job Qualifications

Shown below are the minimum qualifications needed to apply to become a conservation officer. Additional information and job postings are available on the website of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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

License: A valid Michigan-issued driver’s license is required with a ‘clean’ record

Military Service: Veterans and military personnel require ‘Honorable Discharge’ documents.

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 who successfully passed the pre-screening will be subject to an intensive fingerprint background check in order to continue the application process. This is to ensure that candidates have:

• Freedom from drug addiction
• Suitable moral scope and background
• Not been placed on court-ordered probation
• Not been convicted of a felony or 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. While a college degree is not required to apply, possessing one may enhance the opportunity to obtain a job as a conservation officer. Recommended courses include:

• Criminal justice
• Natural-resource sciences
• Sociology
• Communication arts (all types)

Additional Requirements:

• Proof of Live Scan fingerprint submission
• Picture ID
• Passing score for the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) physical fitness test
• Michigan Civil Service Commission (MCSC)
• Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam with valid score
• Electronic application including:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Job-fit questionnaire
• Location preference sheet
• Transcripts
• Form DD214

Meeting the Requirements for Peace Officer Training

Conservation Officer Academy

A 22-week course consisting of basic police officer training in the following:

• Criminal Law
• Environmental Law
• Interview/interrogation techniques
• Waterfowl identification/enforcement
• Fish and game identification/enforcement
• Marine vessel operation/enforcement
• Tactical tracking
• Precision driving
• Digital photography
• Marksmanship
• Firearms tactics/safety
• Field trauma/first aid
• Off-road vehicle operation
• Snowmobiling
• Survival strategies/methods

Field Training

An 18-week specialty-training course consisting of training on the following:

• Firearms
• Drug Identification
• Hazardous Devices
• ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) control, patrol and maintenance
• Water Survival
• Emergency Vessel Operations
• Investigation procedures
• Fish, fowl, reptile and game identification
• Marine Theft
• Commercial Fishing and trapping
• Media Relations
• Land Navigation

Interview: Candidates will have a panel interview with enforcement officers to evaluate knowledge, outward personality traits, and ability to make ethical judgments.

Medical evaluation: Candidates must be in good health for a physically active outdoor role in law enforcement.

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

• Must be able to bench press 64% of his or her body weight
• Must be able to complete 18 sit-ups in one minute
• Must run for 300 meters in 65 seconds or less
• Must 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 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 according to medical criteria

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications :

• Demonstrate effective use of English - the various aspects of English communication 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 effective use of firearms.
• Professional development or college courses in psychology, law enforcement, sociology, or natural resources management

Salaries for Conservation Officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The median salary among conservation officers in Michigan exceeds the national median for game wardens by nearly $10,000.

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget reported that the median salary among conservation officers was $61,630 ($29.63/hour) as of 2016.  The state’s most experienced conservation officers earned salaries within the top 10% of their profession and made an average of $62,810 ($30.20/hour) that year.

Michigan’s Civil Service Commission provides salary ranges for conservation officers at various stages of their careers (2017):

• Conservation Officer Recruit: $33,010 - $43,326
• Conservation Officer: $42,432 - $75,275
• Conservation Officer Specialist: $52,770 - $89,960

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

PO Box 30031
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (800) 788-1766
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-42199_67298-236863--,00.html