How to Become a Game Warden in Virginia

Virginia Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

Individuals with law enforcement expertise and a passion for the outdoors, fishing, or hunting make ideal candidates for Virginia’s conservation police officer jobs. With roles ranging from law enforcement to educating student groups about the value of conservation in Virginia, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate everything from strong communication skills to a basic knowledge of state law and arrest procedures.

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Job Qualifications

Additional information on the requirements to become a conservation police officer as well as job postings can be found on the website of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Age: 21 years of age or older at the time of academy entrance

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. citizenship or of permanent resident alien status for those who are eligible and have applied for citizenship. Must be a resident of the state at the time of appointment.

License: A valid Virginia-issued driver’s license is required. Individuals must maintain a good driving record.

Military Service: Applicants who are former members of the United States military require ‘Under Honorable Conditions’ discharge documentation.

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 background check and urinalysis to complete the application process. You may be disqualified if you have been:

• Convicted of a felony in Virginia or any other state;
• Convicted of any offense in any state that would have been a felony if committed in Virginia;
• Charged with a crime of domestic or sexual violence
• Addicted to drugs or narcotics
• Convicted of any offense which precludes you from carrying a firearm under State or federal law

Academic Credentials: High school diploma or GED is required; completion of two years of college with a major in biological sciences, police science or law enforcement, natural resources conservation, ecology or related fields. Candidates who wish to challenge the guideline with equivalent credentials may submit them for review.

Post Academy and Field Training

POST Training:

29 weeks of Basic Law Enforcement Academy which includes modules on foundational concepts in law enforcement

Field Training Program

• 15 weeks with an experienced conservation officer. Modules include:
• Firearms
• Virginia State and federal laws
• Emergency first aid
• Swimming
• Wildlife crime scene processing
• Suspect arrest and detention
• Patrol and pursuit maneuvers
• Personal self -defense

Interview: Candidates will have a face-to-face panel interview during the later stages of the application process

Medical Condition: The applicant must be examined by a licensed physician to ensure that they are in good health.

Hearing: Candidates should have a ‘normal’ range of hearing and may be subject to a hearing test.

Vision: Vision corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Normal binocular color vision with no other conditions is required for the role; night vision must be ‘normal’. Candidates who have undergone corrective eye surgery to meet minimum visual standards may be required to submit additional information for review.

Physical Readiness: The applicant must be in sound physical condition and able to swim. Applicants must successfully complete each component of the physical readiness testing which may include:

• Timed sit-ups
• Push-ups to failure
• Timed distance run
• Timed sprint
• Timed obstacle course
• Tread water to failure
• Timed lengths in a pool

Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health to complete training and be eligible for hire

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications

• Use and carry various firearms safely and effectively
• Innovative, intuitive and engaging while on patrol by a variety of means.
• Demonstrate an aptitude for collecting and preserving evidence, writing reports, and testifying in court.
• Ability to promote and coordinate hunter education programs
• Ability to collect and report information on the conditions of fish and wildlife and their habitat
• Willingness to enthusiastically and professionally represent the agency at Virginia schools and meetings of special interest groups
• Effectively operate and negotiate a vehicle on rough terrain
• Professional development or college courses in natural resource management, criminology, psychology, business management or sciences
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database and email software in a networked environment
• Ability to use proprietary software
• Mechanical aptitude and logical thinking.
• Ability to use professional level English grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition; reading and comprehension
• Ability to use foundational math skills including advanced arithmetic, payroll/accounts receivable, and estimation
• Casual or professional proficiency in additional languages is an asset

Conservation Police Officer Salaries

The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median salary among conservation police officers in Virginia was $45,990 ($22.11/hour) as of 2016.  Officers here earned an overall average of $49,010 ($23.56/hour) that year, while those with the most experience earning within the top 10% earned an average of $64,790 ($31.15).

Conservation police officers in two of Virginia’s metropolitan areas were among the highest paid of any urban area in the country in 2016:

• Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News– ($46,190-$57,210) 9^th highest in the nation
• Richmond – ($45,260-$65,230) 10^th highest in the nation

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

P.O. Box 90778
Henrico, VA 23228-0778
Phone: (804) 367-3443
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/law-enforcement/recruiting/