Duties and Responsibilities

Fish and Wildlife Officers are commissioned Peace Officers certified by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. While their primary duty is to enforce the Fish and Wildlife Code and associated WDFW regulations, officers also enforce forest products, boating laws and all other laws of the State. Officers execute and serve all criminal processes related to enforcement activities, safeguard department lands and equipment, present programs to the public, and provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies within their assigned areas. They also maintain contact with landowners, resource users, and the general public.

Fish and Wildlife Officers are called upon to respond to public safety concerns related to bear, cougar and other wild animals as human populations continue to encroach on shrinking wildlife habitat. Nuisance wildlife complaints and complaints of commercial crop damage associated with deer and elk are also handled by Fish and Wildlife Officers.

Minimum Qualifications

Age: Applicant must be 21 years old prior to being employed

Health: Applicant must be able to physically perform the duties of a Fish and Wildlife Officer, including passing the Physical Ability Test required for entry into the Academy. A successful applicant must also pass a medical examination and a psychological assessment.

Education/Experience Requirements:

A Bachelor's degree (natural resource science or criminal justice preferred)

OR

A two-year college degree, and two years of paid, full-time, natural resource experience or two years of paid, full-time, commissioned law enforcement experience.

Character
Fish and Wildlife Officer applicants must be trustworthy, of high moral character and possess a background free of unfavorable incidents. Applicants must submit a completed “WDFW Personal History and Background Questionnaire” along with a “Waiver and Authority for Release of Information” with their application. Failure to successfully complete any of the testing process, felony convictions, illegal drug usage in the past 3 years, excessive drug usage in the past 10 years, dishonesty or failure to disclose relevant information during the process may disqualify a candidate. Applicants are required to submit to and pass a polygraph examination.

Station Assignment
Applicants must be willing to accept station assignment anywhere in the state of Washington. While applicant desires are considered, assignments will be made in the best interest of the Department.

Work Schedule
Officers work 171 hours each 28 day work period, according to their monthly Detachment plans. Officers routinely work nights, holidays and weekends. Detachments coordinate work schedules to address upcoming seasons and enforcement issues.

Dress Code
Fish and Wildlife Officers are required to wear a prescribed uniform and adhere to established dress and grooming standards.

Residence
Officers are required to live within a prescribed area, usually within 10 -15 miles of their assigned duty station.

The FWO (Fish and Wildlife Officer) register currently opens twice a year for a 4 to 6 week period. Applications are accepted on a statewide basis during this time to maintain a register of qualified candidates to fill vacancies as they occur. Qualified applicants are referred for further testing.

Applicants are scheduled for Physical Ability Testing which consists of a 300 Meter Run, maximum Push-Ups, one minute Sit-Ups and a 1.5 Mile Run/Walk. Minimum performance levels for each test must be met as well as a minimum passing score for the entire test battery. Upon successful completion, the candidate is allowed into the written examination.

The written test evaluates basic knowledge in natural resources, regulations, basic boating, maps, judgment, observational and organizational skills. Studying the general information found in the hunting and fishing pamphlets will help applicants prepare for this test. Applicants with passing scores are moved to the second phase of testing.

The second phase of testing consists of the oral examination, fingerprinting, a pre-polygraph interview and psychological test batteries. The Oral Exam consists of a writing exercise, pre-exposed scenario questions with an answer presented to a test panel, and impromptu scenario questions from the panel. Each portion is scored based on set criteria and an overall score is recorded.

The results of the written and oral examination are then combined and candidates are placed on a ranked register. The Enforcement Program uses this register to obtain candidate names for further testing.

Candidates referred from the register complete the remainder of the process. This includes a complete background investigation, polygraph, psychological and medical examination, and a structured interview. The best qualified candidates are offered employment based on program needs and priorities.

Once hired, officers must successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) and the Enforcement Program in-house training. In-house training covers Departmental policies, regulations, forms, fish and wildlife identification and other areas of basic knowledge prior to beginning field work.

On completion WDFW in-house training, new Fish and Wildlife Officers are assigned to the 11-week Field Training Program. Under the guidance of a Field Training Officer, they progress through a structured program designed to prepare and provide the new officer with the basic skills and knowledge needed to integrate classroom knowledge with field performance as a Fish and Wildlife Officer.

Career advancement is based on a combination of longevity, training, job knowledge, and performance.

• Fish and Wildlife Officer 1 (entry level) $4134 – 5426/mo.
• Lateral Transfer Fish and Wildlife Officer 1 $5426/mo. (Transfer from an outside law enforcement agency and already completed WA Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy, or equivalent)
• Fish and Wildlife Officer 2 (3-4 years and completion of Career Development Plan) $4564 – 5842 /mo.
• Fish and Wildlife Officer 3 (Master Instructor / Large Vessel Operator [5 years+]) $4793 - 6134/mo.

Additional promotional opportunities within the Enforcement Program include Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Chief.

Fish and Wildlife Officers, as employees of the State of Washington receive medical, dental, disability and life insurance coverage and are members of the LEOFF II Retirement Plan.

For an application packet to apply for a career in Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Click Here

Potential applicants should check for register openings on the Washington State Department of Personnel or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Basic job duties and requirements are available on Department of Personnel web page.

Interested persons who meet the minimum qualifications can check the Enforcement Program Fish and Wildlife Officer bulletin hotline - (360) 902-2932, for the next open register period and to request an application packet. Application packets can also be downloaded by clicking the link on this page. Completed application packets must be returned to the WDFW Personnel office by the deadline stated in the announcement. Numerous applications are rejected each open period because they are incomplete or are received after the register closing date.

Specific questions can be directed to the WDFW Enforcement Program c/o Lt. Crown (360) 902-2923 crownslc@dfw.wa.gov or to the WDFW Personnel section at (360) 902-2276.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disability who need assistance in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or TDD (360) 753 -4107.