How To Become A Fish And Game Warden
Conserve The Environment and its Beauty as a Fish and Game Warden
For someone who wants to fight to protect nature and be empowered to enforce the laws that conserve fish and wildlife, being a fish and game warden is the ideal job. It is a position where you are essentially acting as a peace commissioner, ensuring that hunting and fishing is carried out by the public within their limits only, and acting as an educational instructor to inform people about the importance of the environment. There are many duties you need to carry out in this job, but the most important thing is that you love and believe in what you are doing.
Job Expectations
Upholding the law and implementing and enforcing your state's Fish and Wildlife code are the main responsibilities you will have, but on a daily basis, your job is pretty basic. You will patrol different natural areas; beaches, lakes, rivers, deserts and any area that boating, hunting or fishing occurs and that you need to control. You will also take time to develop educational programs about the protection of nature, seize any unauthorized fish or game, and get involved in public safety when it comes to threats of wild animals in the vicinity.
Necessary Training
As in any position, the more education you have, the better, so a bachelor's criminal justice degree, environmental science or biology would be recommended but it is not required. A 2 year associate's degree with additional experience in the field of law enforcement or exposure in fish and wildlife areas are often accepted in many states. Online programs can easily be found for criminal justice or even environmental science degrees, so try looking into schools like Ashford University or the University of Phoenix Online. Otherwise, state requirements can vary, so look into the specifics to know age limits, whether it be 18 or 21, and education needed where you live, since it is not universal across the country. You will need to be in good physical shape though, and the more formal training and courses the better, so consider pursuing studies in law enforcement techniques and resource laws, and try to get a summer internship in a related field like outdoor recreation or resource management to be better prepared.
Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is optimistic about the job opportunities as a fish and game warden compared to other careers in criminal justice, especially in states like Colorado, Nevada, Michigan and California, but also about the opportunities of advancement to other law enforcement careers, like becoming a detective, sergeant or lieutenant and then moving up the ranks. The average salary is about $43,000, but in states where it is more in demand, you could see it rise to about $50,000-$57,000. Therefore, if you're planning on becoming a fish and game warden, find out where your best chances are and try to pursue a career that will give you the most advantages.
Criminal Justice Degree |
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