Game Warden

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience) :

At least 18 years of age on the date of appointment.

A United States citizen and must be or become a Montana resident in conjunction with appointment as a Fish Wildlife & Parks Warden.

The applicant must possess a bachelors degree from an accredited university.

Preferred degrees in Fish and Wildlife Park Management Outdoor Recreation Criminal Justice or a closely related field.

In excellent physical and mental health and must be able to pass a medical examination and a strength and agility test according to standards set forth by the Montana Board of Crime Control and prescribed by the department (minimum visual acuity is 20 / 100 corrected to 20 / 20 in both eyes).

Must possess a valid drivers license.

Have a basic knowledge of major fish and wildlife species and outdoor recreation in Montana.

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agencys HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race color national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth age physical or mental disability genetic information marital status creed political beliefs or affiliation veteran status military service retaliation or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement :

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.

Resume

Cover Letter

Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11 : 59 PM Mountain Time on January 25 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information :

This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1 2026.

To apply applicants must possess or be able to obtain a bachelors degree by the June of 2026. Preferred degree fields are Biology Wildlife Management Parks and Recreation Management or Criminal Justice. However applications with any bachelors degree will be accepted. Anticipated hire date for these positions is May 18 2026 depending on availability and vacancy numbers. If there are more successfully cleared applicants than available vacancies the remainder will be placed on an eligibility list valid for 12 months.

The Game Warden hiring process includes an in person testing day interviews and fitness test. Testing will be held February 21st and 22nd in Helena MT. Interviews will be held during the week of February 23rd-26th 2026 in Helena MT. Applicants invited to testing will have to make their own travel arrangements and lodging arrangements if invited to testing.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to testing. A written test will be the first phase in the evaluation process. Only applicants with passing scores will move further on with the testing process. The second test will be a handwritten timed essay and an application review. Only the most qualified applicants will move forward to interviews.

Montana Game Wardens are Peace Officers for the state. Upon hiring game wardens must successfully complete the Montana Law Enforcement Academy Basic Course or successfully challenge the academy by having received equivalent law enforcement training as determined by Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST).

Applicants should be prepared and willing to move anywhere in the state. Initial duty stations for successful candidates are yet to be determined. If you currently live in Montana it is unlikely you will be offered a district in the same area. Wardens are required to reside within the boundaries of their assigned warden district. Limited and rare exceptions to this requirement may be considered on a case by case basis and must be authorized by the Chief of Enforcement.

By the nature and complexity of wardens duties typically the warden is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to support field staff respond to the public and address wildlife issues. Job demands are heaviest during weekends & holidays. Wardens work odd hours generally alone with no immediate backup.

Wardens must be in excellent physical health and condition. This position requires frequent climbing bending pushing pulling dragging. Requires occasional lifting up to 50lbs and moving of heavy objects and equipment. Working with sick or injured wildlife removing illegal kills trapping and relocating animals back packing horseback patrols loading and unloading operating boats snowmobiles and OHVs and use of force incidents that require mental composure verbal communication and physical skills. Wardens must be in excellent mental condition as they must deal with all types of personalities and stress levels.

The warden is required to function in all weather extremes under adverse working conditions for prolonged patrols and activities. Patrolling often requires sitting for long periods of time in a vehicle. Handling various wildlife and equipment traversing rough terrain including water operating vehicles / vessels at high speeds and under unstable conditions may result in injury. Potentially dangerous interactions with criminals executing arrests and being subject to assault and to dangerous substances including drugs and bodily fluids is to be expected.

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are strongly encouraged to apply. The identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. These positions are provided health dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement paid vacation sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

Successful applicants will be subject to a background investigation.

Essential Functions (Major Duties and Responsibilities) :

Law Enforcement - 100%

a. Patrol : Patrol assigned district using various methods to elevate the level of public compliance develop information on illegal activities ensure license compliance provide for a deterrence of unlawful acts and facilitate the apprehension of violators offish wildlife and parks laws rules and regulations. Issue Notices to Appear / make arrests for violations prepare reports and testify in court. Be the frontline representative 24 hours a day 7 days a week and in many cases the only FWP presence within the assigned district to provide the public with the necessary service to accomplish all FWP goals. Assist other federal tribal state and local law enforcement agencies as needed and as requested.

b. Investigations : Investigate misdemeanor and felony criminal complaints from a variety of federal state local public and private sources related to hunting fishing trapping parks and recreation and commercial use violations. Investigations often culminate in the execution of search warrants suspect interviews evidence collection and analysis arrests citations preparation of multiple legal documents reports and testifying in Justice District and / or Federal court and can involve multiple suspects and violations. Investigate boating accidents which many times involve boating under the influence and careless operation resulting in significant property damage personal injury and fatalities. Use and access a variety of databases and information.

c. Operations : Use established and necessary law enforcement procedures and standards; determine and formulate methods and techniques necessary to be used in resource investigations; organize and conduct saturation law enforcement patrols of high crime or high use areas involving other officers and law enforcement agencies; organize and conduct simulated wildlife operations often involving more than 3 officers and intense high risk night-time encounters with multiple suspects; conduct enforcement checking stations on interstates highways secondary roadways rivers and lakes to enforce wildlife fisheries and other FWP and statewide regulations. Respond to various types of wildlife conflicts requiring varying degrees of intervention. As prescribed by statute keep detailed daily monthly and yearly records of all activities. Perform collateral duties as directed or desired such as training and instruction.

d. Commercial / Inspections : Conduct inspections of commercial businesses regulated by FWP including but not limited to : taxidermists game farms game bird farms shooting preserves zoos menageries and fishponds. Assign and inspect boat hull identification numbers and vehicle identification numbers (OHVs snowmobiles and trailers).

e. Education : Possess professional and technical knowledge in each of the departments areas of responsibility : law enforcement; fish wildlife & parks management; and communications & education to provides educational programs and presentations for water safety snowmobile safety OHV safety and hunter safety to the public constituents users special interest groups youth groups schools universities local state and federal agencies private business & non-profit organizations. Organize kids fishing days range days and other educational public events often through cooperative efforts with local school districts and local groups .

Key Skills

Administration,ABAP,Community Support,Event Planning,Linq,Inventory

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1