How to Become a Game Warden in Mississippi

Mississippi Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

Mississippi’s conservation officers have played a lead role in helping to preserve the state’s stunning natural wonders and animal habitats. More than half of the state remains a forested habitat for birds and game, and the Mississippi River is the single largest freshwater habitat for fish in the U.S.

Individuals with a passion for protecting the state’s wilderness riches and working with the public as a government official are ideally suited to become a conservation officer.

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Basic Job Qualifications

The minimum qualifications to apply to become a conservation officer are shown below. The website for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks provide a full listing of the requirements.

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. Proof of Mississippi residency may be required.

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

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.

Background and Legal History: Applicants must pass an extensive fingerprint background check with polygraph in order to continue the application process. This is to ensure that candidates have:

• A clear indication of being drug free
• Good moral character
• Not presently been placed on probation by court order
• 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
• No misdemeanor convictions for moral turpitude or wildlife violations
• Candidates will be subject to mandatory drug screening.

Academic Credentials: Completion of high school or GED is required. Additionally, 64 semester hours from an accredited four-year college/university OR Associate’s degree from an accredited two-year college OR Graduation from Mississippi Law Officer Enforcement Training Academy as well as five years law enforcement experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Certification as a law enforcement officer by the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Commission while an employee is on ‘conditional’ status
• Online employment application to the state’s Human Resources department website
• Written skills test, focusing on professional English, report writing and mathematics

Basic Law Enforcement and Conservation Officer Training

Basic Law Enforcement Training

At the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy, 10 week course focusing on:

• Mississippi law
• Search and seizure procedures
• Basic firearms safety and practice

Conservation Officer Training

11-week module focuses on:

• Firearms
• GPS/Land Navigation
• Water Survival
• Wilderness First Aid and Tactical Medicine
• Hunting Incident and Boating Accident Investigation
• Search and Rescue Tactics
• Boating and Field Sobriety
• Wildlife Forensics
• Officer Safety and Control Tactics
• Commercial Fishing Enforcement

Interview: Candidates will have a formal panel interview with senior officers and human resources personnel to evaluate experience, knowledge, and demeanor.

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 complete performance to minimum state standards.

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- the various aspects of English communication (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 Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Conservation officers with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks can advance through four levels after initially being hired and eventually achieve senior officer status. There is a wide range of salaries within each of these levels, which reflects how everything from additional education to working for the department in a specialized role can influence an officer’s earning potential.

The Mississippi State Personnel Board provides ranges showing the minimum and maximum salaries for all five levels as of 2017:

• Conservation Officer I: $36,223 - $63,389
• Conservation Officer II: $38,888 - $68,053
• Conservation Officer III: $41,308 - $72,290
• Conservation Officer IV: $43,855 - $76,746
• Conservation Officer Senior: $47,933 - $83,882

Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

210 East Capital Street, Suite 800
Jackson MS 39201
Phone: (601)359-1406
https://www.mdwfp.com/law-enforcement/law-enforcement-careers.aspx