The Wyoming Game Warden application period is currently open. See below for minimum qualifications, preferences, and application details.
Game and Fish is dedicated to conserving, enhancing and protecting Wyoming's exceptional fish and wildlife resources. Game wardens play a large role in making this possible. Email wgf.wildliferecruiting@wyo.gov with questions.
Game Warden Recruitment Process
The 2024 recruitment process is closed.
| State of Wyoming application | Complete the online State of Wyoming application and upload your transcripts (unofficial
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| Application and transcript review | The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) will review all documents to determine if the candidate meets minimum qualifications and will be offered an initial online Google interview. |
| Online interview | Online Google interviews will be conducted periodically between now and August 16. Candidates will be notified of their Google interview day/time via email. |
| Online interview results | Candidates will be notified of their online Google interview results and whether they will continue in the recruitment process or not. Those selected to continue in the process will be required to submit additional documents, including a Background Questionnaire, Life History Questionnaire, etc. These must be completed and submitted in accordance with directions and deadlines. Failure to complete additional documents by the deadline or in a complete manner may result in removal from the process. |
| Online Psychological Testing | All documents are reviewed and those candidates selected to proceed will be scheduled for online psychological testing (CPI). |
| In-person interview offer | Candidates selected to move forward must commit to a full week of in person interviews and testing scheduled for Sept. 16-20, 2024 at WGFD Headquarters in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This includes a mandatory physical fitness assessment (see below link for minimum fitness standards), polygraph test, psychological evaluation, game warden knowledge exam, job suitability profile, two in person interviews with WGFD panel members and background investigation releases.
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| Background investigation | Candidates selected to move forward will undergo a thorough background investigation conducted by WGFD personnel between October and early November 2024. |
| Conditional Offer of Employment | Tentatively set for mid November 2024 |
| Tentative hire date | Jan. 6, 2025 - Cheyenne HQ for hiring paperwork
Jan-Feb - Training with Recruitment, Retention and Training (RRT Unit)
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Additional Information
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- A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, range management, biology, zoology, ichthyology or other closely related field. Other bachelor’s degrees may be considered with at least 20 hours of wildlife-related coursework as evidenced on required transcripts.
- If you have not currently completed college coursework at the baccalaureate level, you must submit a letter from your college authority stating you are expected to receive your degree by Jan. 6, 2025.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Must be a citizen of the United States before attendance at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy (WLEA) (see below).
- Must be willing to undergo a background check, which will include fingerprinting.
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No single factor will be used to determine which candidates continue in each testing phase; however, some factors could lead to automatic disqualification. This could include, but may not be limited to, conviction of a felony, conviction of a misdemeanor for domestic violence, the use of marijuana within the last year, the use of other illegal drugs (such as cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, etc.) within the last five years, major or multiple wildlife violations, or any deceitful act.
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Primary responsibilities include wildlife management, data collection and analysis, enforcement of game, fish, trapping and boating laws and regulations, and prevention of damage to crops and livestock by wildlife, responding to injured and nuisance wildlife calls and acting as the local liaison between the WGFD and the public. A substantial amount of training and required equipment is provided. Please view a short informational video from Director Brian Nesvik regarding Wyoming game wardens at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/careers.
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Upon employment, individuals must complete a 14-week Peace Officer Basic Training Course at the Wyoming State Law Enforcement Academy (WLEA) located in Douglas, WY, in February 2025. This is a combination of online and in-person training. Please review the WLEA’s physical fitness assessment standards (https://www.wleacademy.com/fitness-standards) to ensure that you can meet the requirements with or without reasonable accommodation. Failing to meet physical fitness assessment standards will automatically disqualify candidates from attending WLEA.
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Entry-level game warden monthly salary ranges from $4,701.84 - $5,224.28.
Game Warden Exam
Law Enforcement Careers
Performs and assists with various duties within assigned regions, including law enforcement with an emphasis on watercraft, wildlife management data collection/management decisions, wildlife conflict/damage resolution including injured and nuisance wildlife calls, daily contacts with a wide variety of external constituent groups, and internal Department employees, participates in training and other miscellaneous duties.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, range management, biology, zoology, ichthyology, or other related fields. As required transcripts show, other bachelor's degrees may be considered with at least 20 hours of wildlife-related coursework.
- Must have passed the most recent Wyoming Game Warden recruitment process/examination (typically offered annually)
- Must become and maintain a Wyoming peace officer certification per the Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements.
Purpose of Recruitment Process: Wyoming statute requires law enforcement positions (game warden, senior game warden, and regional access coordinator) to be selected based on competitive recruitment/testing/examination. The process is typically scheduled once a year, depending on vacancies. Candidates are selected for interviews based on a combination of factors, including degree and number of credit hours in hands-on wildlife courses, grades/transcripts, job suitability profiling, life history, and background questionnaires. No single factor is used to select interview candidates; however, some factors could lead to automatic disqualification. This could include, but may not be limited to, conviction of a felony, conviction of a misdemeanor for domestic violence, the use of marijuana within the last year, the use of other illegal drugs (such as cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, etc.) within the previous five years, primary or multiple wildlife violations or any deceitful act.
Within a geographic senior game warden district and with minimal direct supervision, this position meets the department objectives by being responsible for fish, wildlife, and watercraft law enforcement; wildlife management data collection, interpretation, and decisions; addresses human-wildlife conflict resolution; wildlife depredation investigations, and injured wildlife calls; represents the agency in day-to-day contact with a wide array of publics dealing with a diverse set of topics/issues. This position carries out additional duties in one field: Law enforcement coordination; law enforcement training; watercraft enforcement coordination; commercial operators; law enforcement case management system and evidence; custody/control instructor; firearms instructor; wildlife damage control, or trophy game damage control. Residence in department-provided housing is a condition of employment. The position is on-call to respond to job requirements. Based on the warden district, the work may be required to possess and utilize horses in the numbers specified in the community to which they are assigned.
Within a geographic Access Coordinator area, administers the Wildlife Division's Access Yes Program to maintain and enhance public hunting and fishing opportunities and to meet wildlife management objectives. Works with and represents the agency daily with private landowners, other governmental agencies, and NGOs to increase hunting and fishing access on private and public lands. Day-to-day contact with a wide array of the public in various settings and on different topics/issues; conducts fish, wildlife, and watercraft law enforcement; wildlife management data collection and interpretation and decisions; responds to injured wildlife calls. The position is on-call to respond to job requirements.
Investigates and enforces violations of state, federal, and international laws and regulations which provide for wildlife conservation, public use of wildlife, and public safety, utilizing specialized methods and equipment with a heavy emphasis on complex, long-term overt and covert investigations involving multiple suspects and jurisdictions.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, State of Wyoming, is an EEO/ADA employer. As an EEO/ADA employer, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.