A Career As A Game Warden?

By Doug Leier

As a kid in North Dakota, my dad took me everywhere outdoors. Hunting, fishing, trapping, NDSU football games, camping, fixing fences, picking rock and planting trees. Some of those outdoor activities are much more fun than the others and I think you can figure out which ones.

I knew a cubicle or office wasn’t where my career was going to take me. Some kids wanted to be police officers, firemen or farmers. While all of those were and continue to be noble career paths, a game warden in North Dakota just always seemed to be a job that tugged at me as I just kept seeing myself outdoors.

Whenever I thought about something else, I kept going back to “game warden.”

When I was graduating in December from NDSU with a degree in wildlife and fisheries, a game warden exam was scheduled. The test was being held weeks before graduation, but my dad encouraged me to ask Game and Fish if I could take it contingent upon my graduation. Great advice and sure enough I was told with a letter I would be allowed to test.

While I wasn’t hired immediately, within the next year I was officially headed to the North Dakota Law Enforcement Academy to begin my training as a North Dakota game warden.

With some kids planning for high school graduations and others from college, no matter where you are in life, if you’ve ever thought “being a game warden would be interesting,” now is the time to put that thought into action.

In North Dakota we don’t have a yearly hiring process for district game wardens. When there are openings or retirements the hiring process begins with an application, and right now is one of those opportunities.

While a genuine interest in hunting and fishing with an understanding of biology and law enforcement are necessary, don’t for a minute think you aren’t a good fit if you don’t check all the boxes. My first piece of advice is to not disqualify yourself.

The Game and Fish Department has a strong track record of finding the right person for the job. It’s the right person for the job that matters, not the highest qualifications.

The Next Game Warden  

Individuals interested in taking the exam to select candidates for a full-time and full-time temporary district game warden positions must register by Dec. 27. Testing locations are scheduled for 10 a.m. Central time at the following locations the first week in January 2024.

Applicants must register by submitting an online application through the North Dakota State Job Openings website.

Applicants must be at least 21, have a bachelor’s degree at time of hire or an associate degree with either 2 years of law enforcement or wildlife experience, have a valid driver’s license and a current North Dakota peace officer license, or eligible to be licensed. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check and must not have a record of any felony convictions.

Salary through training is $4,500 per month. For more information, see the district game warden job announcement on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.