Unusual Animal Careers
A Series about Careers with Animals

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Unusual Animal Careers Part 14
Fish & Game Warden

Animal careers, animal schools, & animal courses are just a few topics you will find here. You can read about careers with animals, discover animal programs, and enroll in unique animal career seminars. This is part 14 in an unusual animal career series. In this section you will learn about the wildlife management position as a Fish & Game Warden.

Fish & Game Warden

Fish & Game Wardens are law enforcement agents of the state and of Federal fish and wildlife agencies.  Part of the job is to enforce the laws and regulations concerning fish and wildlife. This position is an outdoor job and wardens work through all seasons and weather conditions.

Monthly salaries vary according to the state or agency hiring. Most of these government positions include a comprehensive fringe benefit package including paid vacations, holiday, sick leave, a retirement plan and partially-paid medical and dental insurance.

Schooling requirements are a minimum of at least two years of college. Courses in conservation biology, fishery science and management, natural resources conservation, wildlife sciences and management, and law enforcement are helpful.

Applicants must pass a written exam covering principals of law enforcement, conservation, the habits, ecology, and distribution of fish and wildlife, and some will require a physical exam. Successful cadets are enrolled in a fish and game law enforcement training program after they are hired.

Fish and game wardens are also called fish and wildlife managers or wildlife officers. Some wardens become wildlife inspectors or special agents because of this comprehensive background checks are conducted prior to hiring.

Depending on the hiring agency, applicants may not have any of the following incidents in their criminal history:

• a conviction for any Felony, or Class A Misdemeanor offense at any time
• a conviction for any Class B Misdemeanor offense within 10 years prior to the date of application, which includes convictions for DWI (driving while intoxicated), DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) and BWI (boating while intoxicated)
• a conviction for any family violence offense
• currently on court-ordered community supervision, probation or parole for any criminal offense above the grade of Class C Misdemeanor.

There are a variety of vocational programs available for this unusual animal career. The best strategy is to define what the requirements are for the agency you are interested in working for. Most agencies can provide a list of programs or suggestions for potential candidates.

About this animal career specialist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with, and certified by, a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and speaks. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books {What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007)} can be found in this web site and in the shop. Questions for Guerrero should be submitted via the blog comments or membership forum.