Fish and Game Wardens
SOC: 33-3031.00

Description:

Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
6,200 employed

Projected (2024):
6,300 employed

Projected growth (2014-2024)


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 2014-2024 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Alternate Titles:

  • Community Resource Officer
  • Conservation Enforcement Officer
  • Conservation Officer
  • District Resource Officer
  • District Wildlife Manager
  • Environmental Conservation Officer
  • Fish and Wildlife Warden
  • Fish Warden
  • Fisheries Enforcement Officer
  • Fishing Game Warden
  • Forestry and Wildlife Manager
  • Game Agent
  • Game and Fish Protector
  • Game Protector
  • Game Warden
  • Law Enforcement Officer (LEO)
  • Mammal Control Agent
  • Natural Resource Officer
  • Park Guard
  • Park Warden
  • State Game Protector
  • State Game Warden
  • State Wildlife Officer
  • Warden
  • Wildlife and Game Protector
  • Wildlife Conservation Officer
  • Wildlife Control Agent
  • Wildlife Enforcement Major
  • Wildlife Manager
  • Wildlife Officer
  • Wildlife Protector
  • Woods Warden

    • Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

    Experience:

    A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

    Education:

    Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

    Job Training:

    Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

    Required Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Instructing
  • Service Orientation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operations Analysis
  • Technology Design
  • Equipment Selection
  • Programming
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Time Management
  • Management of Financial Resources
  • Management of Material Resources
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    • Knowledge Used:

  • Administration and Management
  • Clerical
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Production and Processing
  • Food Production
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Geography
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Foreign Language
  • History and Archeology
  • Philosophy and Theology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Communications and Media
  • Transportation

    • Tasks:

  • 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.
  • Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
  • Promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training.
  • Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
  • 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.
  • Collect and report information on populations or conditions of fish and wildlife in their habitats, availability of game food or cover, or suspected pollution.
  • Survey areas and compile figures of bag counts of hunters to determine the effectiveness of control measures.
  • Investigate crop, property, or habitat damage or destruction or instances of water pollution to determine causes and to advise property owners of preventive measures.
  • Design or implement control measures to prevent or counteract damage caused by wildlife or people.
  • Document the extent of crop, property, or habitat damage and make financial loss estimates or compensation recommendations.
  • Supervise the activities of seasonal workers.
  • Issue licenses, permits, or other documentation.
  • Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.
  • Perform facilities maintenance work, such as constructing or repairing structures or controlling weeds or pests.
  • Compile and present evidence for court actions.
  • Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
  • Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
  • Serve warrants and make arrests.
  • 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.
  • Participate in firefighting efforts.

    • Tools & Technology:

  • .40 caliber semi-automatic pistols
  • 12-gauge shotguns
  • Airboats
  • All terrain vehicles ATV
  • Animal traps
  • Blood collection kits
  • Canoes
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital camcorders
  • Digital cameras
  • Emergency first aid kits
  • Fingerprint evidence kits
  • Four wheel drive 4WD vehicles
  • Geodetic ground global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Horse bridles
  • Horse saddles
  • Impression casting kits
  • Infrared cameras
  • Jet propulsion motor boats
  • Jet skis
  • Metal handcuffs
  • Military rifles
  • Necropsy equipment
  • Night vision scopes
  • Noise meters
  • Patrol boats
  • Pepper spray
  • Personal computers
  • Police rifles
  • Semiautomatic rifles
  • Service revolvers
  • Shotguns
  • Side-handle batons
  • Snowmobiles
  • Sonar equipment
  • Sport fishing nets
  • Sport fishing reels
  • Surveillance binoculars
  • Tranquilizer guns
  • Two way radios
  • Database software
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Mapping software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software

    • protective service

    industry stats

    SOC: 33-0000

    Total Employed: 3,351,620

    Average Annual Salary: $44,610