DNR Looking To Hire Game Wardens

As hunting season is now upon us, it reminds us of the dedicated men and women in uniform who work daily with hunters, boaters, fishermen and landowners to help protect and preserve Georgia’s natural resources. 

State game wardens have a unique law enforcement mission.  These officers patrol Georgia “Off the Pavement” to ensure our woods and waters are safe and legal, with a primary duty of conservation law enforcement.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division Director Col. Eddie Henderson has worked tirelessly to increase the numbers of game wardens, with a goal of having a game warden assigned to every county in Georgia. There are currently 31 counties in Georgia without a game warden directly assigned to the area. So, the DNR Law Enforcement Division is actively hiring new game wardens. 

Recent academy classes have increased the number of game wardens across the state to 186 field personnel. Some are assigned to special areas including large lakes and state lands positions. Many new officers have been assigned to fill county vacancies. With some retirements and attrition pending in 2019, DNR Law Enforcement expects to continue to hire new game wardens for the next few years.

Game wardens are certified as Peace Officers and employed by the DNR Law Enforcement Division to enforce wildlife, boating, fishing, environmental and other state and federal laws. This unique law enforcement officer conducts patrols by 4X4 trucks, boats, ATVs, aircraft and foot patrols.  

Game wardens regularly conduct hunter and boater education and present information programs related to conservation law enforcement. Game wardens also conduct search and rescue missions throughout the state and work with local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Minimum qualifications:

• Age 21

• United States citizen

• Eligible to obtain a Georgia driver’s license

• Completion of a two-year associates degree (any influence) from an accredited college or university, or completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter hours from an accredited college or university, and/or completion of an associate’s degree from a technical college.

• Pass a background investigation

• Pass a polygraph test

• Meet physical fitness standards

• Meet medical standards

• Meet agency requirements related to tattoo and drug use policy

Preferred qualifications:

• P.O.S.T. Certified (Police Officer Standards and Training Council)

• Applicants who already possess experience and knowledge in the areas of hunting, fishing, boating and other related outdoor activities.

• Applicants with an associate’s degree, or higher, with a major in a related field such as Criminal Justice, Wildlife Management, Natural Science or Forestry.

If you know of a person of high moral standards, who is self-driven and especially connected to Georgia’s natural resources, contact them and let them know their “dream job” just became available. Positions are highly competitive, and the application period is currently open. The next scheduled DNR Law Enforcement Game Warden academy is scheduled for January 2020.

To contact a DNR Law Enforcement Division Game Warden Recruiter, email [email protected].