Game Warden

Job Posting Title
Game Warden

Agency
320 DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Supervisory Organization
Wildlife Conservation

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time
Full time

Job Type
Regular

Compensation
$62,462.61 plus state benefit allowance

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Game Warden Supervisor and the general supervision of the District Chief of Law Enforcement, the Game Warden is responsible for enforcing all wildlife laws of the State of Oklahoma. This includes engaging in public relations work with sportsmen, landowners, youth groups, and license dealers within the assigned area. Game Wardens may encounter life-threatening situations while performing their duties as fully certified Oklahoma law enforcement officers, and they are required to work nights, weekends, and most holidays. Game Wardens will also assist other law enforcement agencies as requested.

Key responsibilities include patrolling designated areas by vehicle, boat, airplane, or on foot to check licenses, verify bag limits, and address wildlife law violations and assisting other divisions of the Department in carrying out initiatives such as game and fish surveys, creel and bag censuses, and public education about Department programs and projects.

LOCATION: Various Counties Statewide & Multiple Positions Location of domicile must be approved by immediate supervisor*

Game Wardens must live in the assigned county they work*

JOB DUTIES

- Investigate reports of violations and maintain a daily diary of work activities by entering reports in a concise and legible manner.
- Make arrests, serve warrants, and physically take subjects into custody who resist arrest, ensuring constitutional rights are upheld.
- Prepare evidence for court by identifying fish and wildlife species and compiling other relevant evidence; must testify and appear in court.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using assigned weapons, qualifying twice per year (pistol, shotgun, and rifle).
- Arrange for the disposition of confiscated or accidentally killed fish and game, including loading, unloading, processing, or cleaning carcasses.
- Render first aid to citizens in need and assist stranded motorists along roadways, requiring physical abilities.
- Support the general public in lifesaving situations and promote water safety as a competent swimmer.
- Assist other law enforcement agencies upon request, including participation in water pollution control efforts.
- Conduct conservation programs and presentations for organized groups; assist the Hunter Education Coordinator with programs and conduct Hunter Education courses in assigned areas.
- Provide information and assistance to license dealers, sportsmen, and citizens regarding available hunting and fishing areas and interpret wildlife laws and regulations.
- Investigate hunting accidents and landowner-sportsmen complaints, preparing reports as necessary, including monthly activity updates and special projects.
- Maintain vehicles and equipment in proper working condition, including operation of vehicles, boats, and hunting and fishing gear.
- Work under extensive periods of adverse weather and uncomfortable conditions.
- Perform other duties as requested by the chain of command.
- Respond to all public inquiries on workdays, providing legal advice and interpreting laws at all hours of the day and night.
- Make split-second decisions that may impact the life and safety of both the officer and the public.
- Be able to utilize the use of force that is objectively reasonable, necessary, and proportionate to effectively bring a person or an incident under control, while protecting themselves or others from imminent harm.
- Walk along creeks, lake banks, through brush, and over riprap.
- Drive over rough back roads for extended periods.
- Haul stringers or net loads of fish into a boat or onto shore.
- Lift, carry, and/or pull deer or other animal carcasses into and out of a pickup truck or through wooded areas.
- Operate 2/4-wheel vehicles, including ATVs.
- Operate a boat and carry and outboard motor.
- Jog or walk over rough terrain and swim while in uniform and duty gear in lakes, streams, and rivers, while controlling suspects or rendering aid to the public.
- Physically control and arrest law violators as necessary.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Work nights, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
- Lift, push, and pull at least 50 pounds in all directions, including overhead.
- Answer calls from the public on all workdays, providing information on regulations, interpreting laws, and offering legal advice at all hours.

Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree required in Wildlife or Fisheries Management, or a related field from an accredited college or university. If the degree is in a different field, a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours in a wildlife-related discipline is required. See course detail below.

***PLEASE ATTACH YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO THIS APPLICATION IN THE SECTION THAT SAYS RESUME/COVER LETTER***YOUR APPLICATION CANNOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT***

Candidates must obtain CLEET certification within the first year of employment and maintain the continuing education requirements set by CLEET.

Experience: No prior related experience is required; candidates must complete a one-year orientation on the job.

Knowledge and Skills: Basic computer skills and knowledge of electronic word processing are required. Ability to work collaboratively with others and demonstrate strong communication skills. Must meet physical ability standards, including the capacity to take subjects into custody, sometimes against their will.

Below are the educational requirements for Game Warden:

How do you know if a class is considered a “wildlife related field”?

The best way to answer this question is to look at the course description that the university provides for the course in question. Most schools have the course catalog available online or you can ask a school counselor to help you find this information. Most, but not all, of the classes that are wildlife related can be found in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The course descriptions that mention Natural Resources, fish or wildlife . Look for that to determine if a class is in a wildlife related field.

Can I count a general education course such as Biology or Algebra as a “wildlife related field”? No, Biology and Algebra are classes that are required for almost all degrees and are considered general education requirements. They do not specifically relate to wildlife.

Below are a sample of a few classes.

NREM 1012 Introduction to Natural Resource Ecology and Management: Introduction to the wide variety of natural resources found globally with a focus on Oklahoma ecoregions. Overview of the ecology and management of natural resources in the pine-hardwood forest, the Cross Timbers, and the tallgrass, mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies. Academic and career options presented through guest speakers.

NREM 2013 Ecology of Natural Resources: Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1114 or PLNT 1213. Introductory focus on understanding and applying general ecological principles to agricultural and natural ecosystems. Emphasis on relationships between climate, soils, agricultural, and natural ecosystems. Topics include nutrient cycles, energy flow, species interactions, biological diversity, productivity, sustainability, and landscape and ecosystem management.

NREM 3013 Applied Ecology and Conservation: Prerequisite(s): BOT 1404 or ZOOL 1604; SOIL 2124 preferred. Development of critical thinking for conservation and land management through the application of ecological concepts and theory. Principles of population, community, ecosystem and landscape ecology, with applications to management of wildlife, fisheries, forest and rangeland resources. Application of scientific method and literature to natural resource ecology and management.

NREM 3502 Wildlife Law Enforcement: Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and consent of instructor. Survey of state and federal wildlife laws with emphasis on Oklahoma statutory and regulatory laws pertaining to wildlife. Lectures, guest lectures, videotapes and field exercises.

NREM 3503 Principles of Wildlife Ecology and Management: Prerequisite(s): NREM 3012 and NREM 3013, or BIOL 3034 or concurrent. An introduction to the biological basis of the management of wildlife habitats and populations.

NREM 3523 Fish and Wildlife Population Biology: Prerequisite(s): NREM 3012 and NREM 3013, or BIOL 3034 or concurrent enrollment. Dynamics of fish and wildlife populations resulting from reproduction, competition, predation, movement, and exploitation. Effects of life history patterns on population growth and management strategies. Methods for measuring distribution, abundance, survival, and growth of fish and wildlife populations. Management strategies for fish and wildlife populations.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub .

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