Fish and Game Wardens

Also called: Community Resource Officer, Conservation Enforcement Officer, Conservation Officer, District Resource Officer, Environmental Conservation Officer

Fish and Game Wardens

Varies

estimated salary

Fish and game wardens patrol assigned areas to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

  • Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.
  • Compile and present evidence for court actions.
  • Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
  • Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
  • Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
  • Serve warrants and make arrests.
  • Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
  • Promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training.
  • Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
  • Arrange for disposition of fish or game illegally taken or possessed.
  • Seize equipment used in fish and game law violations.
  • Address schools, civic groups, sporting clubs, or the media to disseminate information concerning wildlife conservation and regulations.
  • Recommend revisions in hunting and trapping regulations or in animal management programs so that wildlife balances or habitats can be maintained.
  • Inspect commercial operations relating to fish or wildlife, recreation, or protected areas.
  • Survey areas and compile figures of bag counts of hunters to determine the effectiveness of control measures.
  • Collect and report information on populations or conditions of fish and wildlife in their habitats, availability of game food or cover, or suspected pollution.
  • Design or implement control measures to prevent or counteract damage caused by wildlife or people.
  • Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.
  • Investigate crop, property, or habitat damage or destruction or instances of water pollution to determine causes and to advise property owners of preventive measures.
  • Issue licenses, permits, or other documentation.
  • Document the extent of crop, property, or habitat damage and make financial loss estimates or compensation recommendations.
  • Supervise the activities of seasonal workers.
  • Perform facilities maintenance work, such as constructing or repairing structures or controlling weeds or pests.
  • Participate in firefighting efforts.
Work Context
  • In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — 98% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 90% responded "Every day".
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 91% responded "Every day".
  • Deal With External Customers — 85% responded "Extremely important".
  • Electronic Mail — 84% responded "Every day".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 78% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 77% responded "Every day".
  • Read More
Work Activities
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Prepare investigation or incident reports.
  • Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
  • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
  • Investigate accidents to determine causes.
  • Prepare investigation or incident reports.
  • Issue warnings or citations.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Read More

Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Read More

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
  • Spreadsheet software
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
Read More