Game Warden

State of Montana; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Montana seeks candidates for Game Warden positions, where successful applicants will patrol wildlife areas, enforce laws, and conduct investigations while providing public education. This role requires a bachelor's degree, strong physical fitness, and the ability to work under various conditions. Ideal candidates will be adaptable, ready for challenges in a law enforcement capacity, and committed to wildlife management.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Qualifications

• Must possess a bachelor's degree by the appointment date.
• Preferred degree in Fish and Wildlife, Park Management, or Criminal Justice.
• Must pass medical and strength tests.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned district, enforce fish and wildlife laws.
• Conduct investigations for violations and assist local agencies.
• Organize and conduct educational programs regarding safety.

Skills

Law enforcement

Investigative skills

Physical fitness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Degree in Fish and Wildlife, Criminal Justice, or related field

Job description

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

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 June 29, 2025. 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, 2025, and July 1, 2026.

In order to apply, applicants must possess or be able to obtain a bachelor’s degree by the Jan 1 of 2026. Preferred degree fields are Biology, Wildlife Management, Parks and Recreation Management or Criminal Justice. However, applications with any bachelor’s degree will be accepted. Anticipated hire date for these positions is January 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 and interviews will be held during the week of August 18th-22nd, 2025 in Helena, MT. Applicants invited to testing will have to make their own travel arrangements and lodging arrangements if invited to testing. For additional information regarding the hiring process, please click here.

The application is the first phase in the evaluation process. Therefore, please provide any and all information or past experiences that you feel are relevant. Only the most qualified applicants will move forward to the next phase.

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 warden’s 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 OHV’s, 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.

Job Duties:

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities)

Law Enforcement – 100%

• Patrol: Patrol assigned district using various transportation 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 of fish, 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.
• 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.
• 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 ; 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.
• 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 (OHV, snowmobiles, and trailers).
• Education: Possess professional and technical knowledge in each of the department's 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.

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 bachelor’s 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 driver's license.
• Have a basic knowledge of major fish and wildlife species and outdoor recreation in Montana.