Game Warden Trainee

State of Vermont; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Vermont seeks applicants for the Game Warden Trainee position. The selection process includes written and physical exams, an oral panel interview, and comprehensive background checks. Candidates must complete training at the Vermont Police Academy and meet residency and medical requirements.

The program leads to a district assignment after a year-long probation and additional field training, with strict physical standards and a 57-year retirement rule governing service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any field of study.
• An associate's degree with a major field of study in conservation or natural resources (e.g., environmental science or studies, wildlife management), biological or life sciences (e.g., biology, zoology), or criminal justice; AND three (3) years' work experience.
• High School Diploma Or Equivalent AND Either four (4) years' of experience as a certified law enforcement officer OR four (4) years' in the military on full-time duty, with discharge under honorable or other acceptable conditions.
• High school diploma or equivalent and five (5) full-time years' work experience.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree in conservation or natural resources

High School Diploma Or Equivalent with 4 years of law enforcement or military service

High School Diploma or Equivalent with 5 years of work experience

Job description

Overview

RECRUITMENT PROCESS & TIMELINES - Please read carefully.

Overview

RECRUITMENT PROCESS & TIMELINES - Please read carefully.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be scheduled for an in-person testing day, which will include both a written and physical exam administered by the Vermont Warden Service.

The Vermont Game Warden entrance test is approximately 1.5 hours long. It is a multiple-choice exam. This exam covers materials relevant to basic wildlife biology, firearms, recreational activities, and identification of Vermont fish and wildlife species and their habitats.

Based on the results of the written exams, candidates who pass will advance to the physical fitness test. Please look at the Vermont Police Academy's website for more details on the physical fitness test: https://vcjc.vermont.gov/Physical-Fitness-Test . To pass the physical fitness test, candidates must score at or above the 50th percentile. The test consists of a 500-meter row and a 1.5-mile run.

The written tests and physical fitness test are scheduled for the same day, Monday August 31st.

Candidates who successfully complete the written tests and the physical fitness test will be scheduled for an oral panel interview. These interviews will be scheduled starting September 1st and continue into that week and the following. Those traveling from a far will be prioritized for the first couple days after the initial testing day to save on travel.

Candidates who are scheduled for the oral panel interview will also be assigned the NTN Frontline written test for the Vermont Police Academy. It is a written test made up of four sections: Situational Judgement Video Score, Writing Score, Reading Score, and a Public Safety Self-Assessment. To find out more details about that test see link to the Vermont Police Academies website: https://vcjc.vermont.gov/Physical-Fitness-Test .

Final candidates will undergo a background investigation, an examination by a physician, a psychological exam, a polygraph exam, as well as a swim test. Once hired, incumbents will complete a twelve-month probationary training period which includes participation in the Vermont Police Academy's full-time law enforcement training program (currently 16 weeks, exceptions made for in and out of state pre-certified law enforcement officers depending on certification). Upon successful completion of the Vermont Police Academy Training program and an eight-month on-the-job field training period, the employee will be assigned a district anywhere in the state. Failure to successfully complete this training will result in separation from the uniformed warden service.

The final list of eligible candidates will be good for up to two years.

To learn more about the Department of Fish & Wildlife you can visit their web page at https://vtfishandwildlife.com.

The mandatory retirement age for this position is 57

Who May Apply

This position, Game Warden Trainee (Job Requisition #55228), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact [e-mail]

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Environmental Factors

Duties and training performed in class and field settings involve traversing rough terrain and bodies of water and the lifting and transporting of heavy objects, in addition to exposure to the variety of Vermont climatic conditions. Duties will require evening, weekend and other irregular duty hours and significant overtime duty. Incumbents will be required to wear a uniform and carry firearms during duty shifts. Field duties are usually performed from a motor vehicle. Exposure to danger will occur in a variety of situations.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any field of study

OR

An associate's degree with a major field of study in conservation or natural resources (e.g., environmental science or studies, wildlife management), biological or life sciences (e.g., biology, zoology), or criminal justice; AND three (3) years' work experience

OR

High School Diploma Or Equivalent AND Either

• Four (4) years' of experience as a certified law enforcement officer OR
• Four (4) years' in the military on full-time duty, with discharge under honorable or other acceptable conditions

OR

High school diploma or equivalent and five (5) full-time years' work experience.

Special Requirements

Additional qualifications required by the Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Vermont Police Academy include:

Applicants must pass the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Game Warden written exam.

Vision: At least 20/60 Snellen test each eye, corrected to 20/20 with normal color perception.

Hearing: Normal.

Physical Fitness: Applicants must meet the physical fitness standards of the Vermont Police Academy. In addition to meeting the physical fitness standards for the Vermont Police Academy, candidates will also have to demonstrate that they can pass a rower test at the 50th percentile, based on current warden service physical fitness requirements.

Ability to swim.

Residency: Applicants must bear the expense of travel to Vermont during the hiring process. Vermont residency is required within six (6) months of hire date.

Driver's License: Must possess or be eligible to obtain a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of application. Your right to operate a motor vehicle may not have been suspended or revoked within 12 months of application. You must obtain a Vermont Operator's license within six (6) months of hire date.

Criminal History - You must not have been convicted of any felonies. The right to carry a firearm shall not be revoked for any reason. You will be required to submit to a comprehensive criminal and civil background check that may include a polygraph.

This position is Group "C" retirement with mandatory retirement at age 57.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.