Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer (Lateral Officer) - 2026-01421

Full Job Description

Title – Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer Recruit

(In-Training to Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer)

Multiple Openings – Lateral Candidates Only

Job Status – Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program – Enforcement Program
Duty Station – Statewide Locations, Washington State

Testing Cycle Deadline - March 31, 2026

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

WDFW Enforcement Truck – Photo Credit: Devin Van Zanten

Picture yourself as a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer, commonly known as a Game Warden, enforcing numerous laws and regulations related to health and public safety, dangerous wildlife/human conflicts, fish and wildlife protection, hunting and fishing license regulations, habitat protection, and commercial/recreational fish and shellfish harvest.

These are opportunities to patrol various parts of Washington state using motor vehicles, vessels, ATVs, ROVs, snowmobiles and on foot while investigating complaints and deterring criminal activities.

We are seeking team players with demonstrated talent representing WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer (base pay based on lateral years of experience):

• Base Pay = $7,562.00 to $9,906.00
• Education Incentive
  1. Associate degree 2%
  2. Bachelor’s degree 4%
• Assignment Pay (upon training completion) 10%
• Longevity Premium Pay starts at five years of DFW Commission

Training:

• Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy (BLEEA) – 2 Weeks
  • Out-of-state applicants
• Fish and Wildlife Police In-House Academy – 2 Months
• Field Training – 3.5 Months

Requirements

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer will,

Conduct Law Enforcement and Provide Public Safety:

• Enforces all fish, wildlife, food fish and shellfish laws, department rules/regulations, all laws of the state and specific federal and tribal laws, including hydraulic codes, the Forest Practices Act, the Model Litter Control Act, sanitary shellfish laws, and boating safety regulations.
• Patrols fresh and saltwater ways and adjacent lands by vessels, auto, foot, ORV, etc. Monitors commercial and recreational harvest of food fish, game fish, shellfish, game animals and birds.
• Checks commercial and recreational licenses, monitors buyers and processors of food fish and shellfish; checks special license holders and permittee to ensure compliance.
• Contacts resource users to ensure species, season, bag-limit, and gear compliance.
• Inspects taxidermists, fur-dealers, and commercial fishing/shell fishing/aquaculture operations to ensure licensing and record-keeping compliance.
• Operates and maintains patrol equipment, i.e., boats with standard or jet propulsion, canoes, drift boats, off-road vehicles, horses, snowmobiles, etc.
• Responds to violation reports, gathers evidence, makes arrests, organizes, and coordinates investigations of suspected violations, conducts surveillance, participates in searches, interviews witnesses and suspects, secures and serves search warrants, and prepares case reports.
• Seizes equipment used in fish and game law violations and arranges for disposition of fish and game illegally taken or possessed.
• Maintains liaison with local and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Responds to natural disasters and catastrophic incidents in support of the state comprehensive emergency management plan.

Provides Outreach and Education:

• Makes presentations to local sport clubs, schools, and civic groups, etc.
• Monitors and provides instruction to hunter and trapper education programs.
• Assists in promoting hunter safety training.
• Increase program profile and better connect with the public they serve.

Working Conditions:

Work from Program offices, homes, or in the field.

Work in an outdoor environment to enforce fish, wildlife, and criminal state laws.

Patrols are conducted on land and/or water and take place at all hours of the day or night; may be required to work in a hostile environment, adversarial situations, be exposed to hazardous work environments and inclement weather conditions.

Work the majority of the time alone, with limited backup and support.

Schedule:

In-training schedule: 160 hours within 28 days.

Training completed schedule: 171 hours within 28 days – Overtime Eligible.

Must be able to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and be on call 24-hours a day.

Travel Requirements:

Travel may be required throughout the State and country to attend training, meetings, and conferences. Travel may include overnight of a short to long duration depending on the activity.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Three (3) years of full-time, fully commissioned law enforcement experience, with a current Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) peace officer certification or equivalent.

Certifications/Licenses:

Must have or be able to obtain a valid Washington Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must be 21 years of age upon employment/hire.

Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Must have NO felony convictions.

Must be able to communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance (verbal and written).

Must have at least 20/40 vision (corrected or uncorrected).

Must be able to physically perform the duties of a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer.

Must pass a background investigation, polygraph, psychological assessment, and a medical examination to include drug testing.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Fisheries Science/Management, Wildlife Science/Management, Animal Science, Forestry, Forestry Management, Range Science/Management, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Wildlife Law Enforcement, Resource Economics, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Zoology or Criminal Justice.

Experience in hunting and fishing.

Experience performing recreational or commercial outdoors activities.

Experience interpreting, explaining, and enforcing laws, rules, and regulations.

Resourcefulness in problem solving.

Your application will be completed through Public Safety Testing (PST) and should include the following (Testing Deadline March 31, 2026):

• Complete the written law enforcement officer (LEO) exam with a 75% or better passing score.
• Complete the LEO physical ability test (PAT), which is pass or fail.
• Complete the personal history statement (PHS) before or immediately after completing your initial testing – making sure it is thorough with honest responses.
• Upload a cover letter to your PST profile answering the following:
  • Why are you a good fit for a Fish & Wildlife Officer career?
  • What are your outdoor hobbies?
  • In what capacity have you participated in a team environment (i.e. sports, work, etc.)?

Note: Prior to applying/testing, please thoroughly review the Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer minimum qualifications and disqualifiers.

A candidate is not applying for a particular duty station at the time the application (PST scores, PHS, and Cover Letter) is submitted.

As the hiring authority, WDFW Police Chief, assigns duty stations based on mission need. Therefore, a candidate must be prepared for any statewide assignment.

However, there are occasions where a duty assignment can accommodate both current mission needs and personal location desires.

Duty stations are typically discussed during the Chief’s interview and assigned just before hire for Lateral Recruits.

Officers must live within twenty (20) miles of the legal boundary of the city assigned, and within Detachment boundaries consistent with the current bargaining agreement.

Reference WDFWPolice.org for the phases of the hiring process, disqualifiers, and more:

• Lateral Applicants
  1. Testing Deadline – March 31, 2026.

Hiring timeline will be fall/winter of 2026. Candidates selected will join with basic academy graduates for a Fish and Wildlife Police In-House Academy.

Additional Information

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note:

The hiring process begins at Public Safety Testing www.publicsafteytesting.com.

DO NOT apply for this position through this site (www.careers.wa.gov).

If you have any questions, please contact the WDFW Enforcement Recruiting and Hiring Specialist at OfficerRecruitment@dfw.wa.gov.

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work.

If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States.

For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

FWOG: These positions are in the bargaining unit represented by the Fish and Wildlife Officer's Guild (FWOG) and are subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Coalition.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and spouses of active-duty military personnel who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at OfficerRecruitment@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.

Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome and are treated fairly and respectfully.

All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to OfficerRecruitment@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-01421.

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