JOB
Title – Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Recruit
(In-Training to Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer)
Classification- Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer
Job Status – Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program – Enforcement Program
Duty Station – Statewide Locations, Washington State
Testing Cycle Deadline - Interview Timeline TBD
This is an open continuous announcement as testing/application is completed through Public Safety Testing.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
WDFW Enforcement Truck – Photo Credit: Devin Van Zanten
Picture yourself as a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer, commonly known as a Game Warden, enforcing numerous laws and regulations related to health and public safety, dangerous wildlife/human conflicts, fish and wildlife protection, hunting and fishing license regulations, habitat protection, and commercial/recreational fish and shellfish harvest.
These are opportunities to patrol various parts of Washington state using motor vehicles, vessels, ATVs, ROVs, snowmobiles and on foot while investigating complaints and deterring criminal activities.
We are seeking team players with demonstrated talent representing WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy.
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer:
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Entry Level Base Pay (In-Training) = $7,141.00
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Base Pay (upon training completion & lateral officer) = $7,713.00 to $10,104.00
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Education Incentive
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Associate degree 2%
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Bachelor’s degree 4%
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Assignment Pay (upon training completion) 10%
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Geographic Pay (upon training completion) Pierce 2%, King 5%, Snohomish 3%
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Longevity Premium Pay starts at five years of DFW Commission
Training:
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Onboarding – 2 to 3 Weeks
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Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) – 4.5 Months
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Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy (BLEEA) – 2 Weeks
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Out-of-state Lateral Applicants
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Fish and Wildlife Police In-House Academy – 2 Months
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Field Training – 3.5 Months
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
What to Expect:
A prospective candidate should understand that this role demands a high level of commitment and resilience. Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers work most weekends, some holidays, and frequently outside of standard hours...day or night, and in every type of weather. The job often requires operating independently in remote areas with little chance of immediate backup.
Officers routinely confront, cite, or arrest violators and may serve or execute search and arrest warrants involving individuals who are likely armed and potentially hostile toward law enforcement. The position also involves operating vehicles and watercraft in hazardous conditions.
Candidates must be prepared to handle injured or dangerous wildlife, including situations where euthanizing animals with firearms is necessary. At times, the work includes dealing with decomposing animals.
Daily interaction with the public is a core part of the job, and officers must be skilled at resolving conflict. Although the primary focus is wildlife and natural resource enforcement, officers also respond to a wide range of emergency calls, including serious motor vehicle collisions, domestic violence incidents, disturbances, search and rescue operations, and the recovery of deceased individuals.
Washington State Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers are fully commissioned peace officers. As such, public safety law enforcement is a significant and essential component of the job.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer will,
Conduct Law Enforcement and Provide Public Safety:
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Enforces all fish, wildlife, food fish and shellfish laws, department rules/regulations, all laws of the state and specific federal and tribal laws, including hydraulic codes, the Forest Practices Act, the Model Litter Control Act, sanitary shellfish laws, and boating safety regulations.
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Patrols fresh and saltwater ways and adjacent lands by vessels, auto, foot, ORV, etc. Monitors commercial and recreational harvest of food fish, game fish, shellfish, game animals and birds.
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Checks commercial and recreational licenses, monitors buyers and processors of food fish and shellfish; checks special license holders and permittee to ensure compliance.
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Contacts resource users to ensure species, season, bag-limit, and gear compliance.
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Inspects taxidermists, fur-dealers, and commercial fishing/shell fishing/aquaculture operations to ensure licensing and record-keeping compliance.
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Operates and maintains patrol equipment, i.e., boats with standard or jet propulsion, canoes, drift boats, off-road vehicles, horses, snowmobiles, etc.
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Responds to violation reports, gathers evidence, makes arrests, organizes, and coordinates investigations of suspected violations, conducts surveillance, participates in searches, interviews witnesses and suspects, secures and serves search warrants, and prepares case reports.
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Seizes equipment used in fish and game law violations and arranges for disposition of fish and game illegally taken or possessed.
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Maintains liaison with local and federal law enforcement agencies.
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Responds to natural disasters and catastrophic incidents in support of the state comprehensive emergency management plan.
Dangerous Wildlife Conflict:
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Resolves human/dangerous wildlife conflicts.
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Assist Wildlife Conflict Specialists in response to dangerous wildlife conflict issues as needed.
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Recommends, designs and/or implements control measures to prevent or deter human/dangerous wildlife incidents.
Provides Outreach and Education:
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Makes presentations to local sport clubs, schools, and civic groups, etc.
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Monitors and provides instruction to hunter and trapper education programs.
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Assists in promoting hunter safety training.
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Increase program profile and better connect with the public they serve.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting:
Work from Program offices, homes, or in the field.
Work in an outdoor environment to enforce fish, wildlife, and criminal state laws.
Patrols are conducted on land and/or water and take place at all hours of the day or night; may be required to work in a hostile environment, adversarial situations, be exposed to hazardous work environments and inclement weather conditions.
Work the majority of the time alone, with limited backup and support.
Schedule:
In-training schedule: 160 hours within 28 days.
Training completed schedule: 171 hours within 28 days – Overtime Eligible.
Must be able to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and be on call 24-hours a day.
Travel Requirements:
Travel will be required throughout the State to attend training and meetings. This will include overnight travel of a short to long duration depending on the activity.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
Important Note:
The hiring process begins at Public Safety Testing www.publicsafetytesting.com.
DO NOT apply for this position through this site (www.careers.wa.gov). If you have any questions, please contact the WDFW Enforcement Recruiting and Hiring Specialist at
[email protected].
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
FWOG: These positions are in the bargaining unit represented by the Fish and Wildlife Officer's Guild (FWOG) and are subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Coalition.
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:
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Veterans and Military Spouses only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter within your PST profile (documents).
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Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome and are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email
[email protected], or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact PST https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/contact-us.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to
[email protected] and reference job #2026-01421.
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