Wildlife Officer?

Question

Does anybody know anybody who works as a Game warden, Game&Fish commissioner, Wildlife officer? Preferably in Arkansas but wherever works! I'm looking to start into schooling for this. Just not sure what classes to take. What did it take to become a wildlife officer? Help!

Answer

My degree was in Linguistic Anthropology, but I also picked up minors in English and Criminal Justice. The Federal government will accept any degree in social science for its LEOs, because social science is good for investigators.

I was hired through a noncompetitive internship that I started while in college. At the time, federal internships for college students were known as SCEP but are now called Pathways internships, I believe.

If you're looking to get into Arkansas specifically, I'd check and see what degrees they prefer their officers to have - which is probably on their hiring site. Depending on what school you go to, you can get a specific degree in natural resource law, or something of that nature. That's not the path I'd take because it kind of pigeon holes you if you don't like the career (it's a fucking tough job), but if it's your passion - go for it.

Other than that, hiring boards like people who stay out of trouble and are active in their communities. You can't volunteer enough. Volunteer in your park system to repair trailheads or count birds or pick up trash. Mentor kids at the youth center. Volunteering will put you head and shoulders over your run of the mill applicant.

Make sure you stay away from drugs and people who do them. Pay your debts on time and protect your credit score. Those are the most common disqualifiers.

Also, if you're not already extremely physically fit (upon hire, you should be stronger and better conditioned than 75% of women your age, at minimum) get started with strength and conditioning right now. You can't be too fit. The fitter you are, the easier time you will have in training.

The job will destroy your body if you aren't physically strong enough withstand wearing heavy gear all day - and you MUST be strong and confident enough to WIN in a fistfight fight with an average American male. That's non-negotiable, the public puts its trust in you to be able to do that.

Answer

I might be able to help. I was an NPS Park Ranger before I resigned to move across country with my fiance (who's also a fed, with a better career in a better agency). I might not know about Arkansas specifically, but I know about being a natural resource officer/ranger/warden/whatever you want to call it. What do you want to know?

There's me on the left. All tac geared out and nowhere to go.

Answer

My dad is one. Buuuut I live in Canada so I probably don't have any useful advice for you... good luck :)

Wildlife Officer?

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