Fish and Game Warden

Shift Ladder; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Shift Ladder is seeking a field wildlife law enforcement officer to patrol forests, lakes, coastlines, and wilderness areas enforcing wildlife regulations. You’ll check licenses, investigate poaching, and protect habitats with partner backup an hour away.

Expect duties across remote terrain and court testimony when needed. The role requires a Bachelor’s in criminal justice, wildlife biology, or natural resources plus state law enforcement academy training, along with strong field fitness and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus state law enforcement academy training in wildlife law enforcement.
• Knowledge of hunting, fishing, and boating regulations.
• Ability to operate in remote, rugged environments.

Responsibilities

• Patrol vast wilderness areas enforcing hunting, fishing, and boating regulations.
• Check licenses, bag limits, and legal catch sizes from hunters and anglers.
• Investigate poaching cases using tracking, forensic evidence, and witness interviews.

Skills

Self-reliance

Physical fitness

Community relations

Judgment and de-escalation

Education

Bachelor's in criminal justice, wildlife biology, or natural resources + state law enforcement academy

Tools

GPS/GIS mapping

Forensic wildlife evidence collection

Firearms proficiency

ATV/boat/snowmobile operation

Court testimony

Job description

You enforce wildlife conservation laws in the field — forests, lakes, coastlines, and wilderness areas — which makes you a law enforcement officer with a territory the size of a small country and backup that's an hour away. You'll check hunting licenses, investigate poaching, and protect habitats. It's the only law enforcement job where your 'suspects' include both humans and bears.

Salary Range

Low

$42k

Median

$60k

High

$85k

10-Year Growth

average

US Workers

7K

Education

Bachelor's in criminal justice, wildlife biology, or natural resources + state law enforcement academy

Tools & Technical Skills

• Wildlife conservation law enforcement
• Hunting, fishing, and boating regulation expertise
• Forensic wildlife evidence collection
• Firearms proficiency and law enforcement tactics
• ATV, boat, and snowmobile operation
• GPS/GIS mapping and territory patrol planning
• Court testimony and case preparation

People & Mindset Skills

• Self-reliance in remote environments
• Physical fitness and outdoor endurance
• Community relations
• Judgment and de-escalation

What you'll actually do

• 01 Patrol vast wilderness areas alone to enforce hunting, fishing, and boating regulations
• 02 Check licenses, bag limits, and legal catch sizes on hunters and anglers who always seem surprised to see you
• 03 Investigate poaching cases using tracking skills, forensic evidence, and witness interviews in communities that protect their own
• 04 Respond to human-wildlife conflicts where a bear got into someone's trash and now everyone wants it shot
• 05 Operate boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and trucks to access areas that don't have addresses, let alone roads
• 06 Testify in court about wildlife violations while presenting evidence that includes antlers, fish, and trail camera footage