Prepare to become a conservation warden

Note: In 2008 the Department of Natural Resources will not be conducting a recruitment, testing and hiring process for permanent, full-time conservation warden positions. We anticipate our next hiring process for permanent staff will be in the spring of 2009.

A conservation warden works colloaboratively with the public in solving natural resource protection problems. Activities that will help you develop your interpersonal communication and problem solving skills might include:

• Serving as a volunteer in your community,
• Participating in community service events,
• Becoming involved in civic and outdoor recreation clubs or associations, and
• Learning about and developing knowledge and skills in various types of outdoor recreational activities.

Participate in the DNR safety courses

Because education is one of the most important tools we have in reducing injuries, deaths, and accidents, the Department of Natural Resources sponsors recreational safety education classes to educate the public on how to be safe, knowledgeable, and responsible in their recreational pursuits.

The Law Enforcement safety education program includes introductory classes on boating, snowmobile, ATV, hunter, and bow hunter education. Although the primary purpose of these safety education classes is to teach and train beginners to be safe and knowledgeable in these various forms of recreation, everyone is encouraged to attend.

DNR Safety classes are taught by Conservation Wardens and certified volunteer instructors. Records and statistics are gathered and maintained from classes for use in state and federal reporting, evaluation of course content and effectiveness, and issuance of safety certificates. Students successfully completing a DNR sponsored/recognized safety education course receive a safety education certificate which may be required by this or other states to legally participate in certain recreational activities.

For more information and a list of the classes available visit our Recreation Safety website.

Volunteer Safety Instructors

Volunteer Safety Instructors conduct the DNR safety courses, set the dates of the classes and where the classes will be held.

The Department of Natural Resources trains and certifies volunteers to teach the following education courses:

• ATV Safety Education
• Boating Safety Education
• Bow Hunter Safety Education
• Hunter Safety Education
• Snowmobile Safety Education

Once certified, the DNR will provide instructors with class materials and supplies. If you are willing to donate a few hours of your time team helping to make outdoor recreation safer, you may request information by contacting Jon King at 608-266-5386; or visit our intructor webpages.

Conservation Warden Ride-Along Program:

Unlike many jobs, the Wisconsin Conservation Warden position is not easy to describe to people. Therefore the DNR-Bureau of Law Enforcement initiated the Warden Ride-Along Program to give individuals an opportunity to ride with a conservation warden and see first-hand the various aspects of a conservation warden's job. However, while ride-alongs with our conservation wardens are a way to determine if this is the career for you, realize that your local warden may have his or her hands full with their other responsibilities and may not be able to honor your request.

Eligibility requirements for approved ride-alongs:

1. Candidates must be 16 years of age or older.
2. Candidates must submit a written request to the warden supervisor outlining the reasons they wish to participate in the Ride-along Program. The warden supervisor will evaluate the request to ensure the proposed ride-along is consistent with the purpose of this policy.
3. Must complete and sign the “Ride-along Agreement.”
4. Applicants under the age of 18 must also have their parent or guardian sign the Ride-along Agreement form prior to their participation in this program.
5. A minimum of two ride-alongs with a conservation warden is required of those interested in participating in the Warden Internship Program (see Warden Internship Program information below).

Length of shift for ride-alongs: Participants in the program will normally ride up to four hours. However, at the warden's discretion, ride-alongs may be extended for longer periods of time.

If you are interested in doing a ride-along with a conservation warden, contact your local conservation warden and ask to speak to them about their job and let them know that you would like to do a ride-along so you can see what they do on a day-to-day basis. The conservation warden will complete a Ride-Along Agreement, which is an informal agreement between a Conservation Warden and an interested party and explains the terms of the Ride-Along. If you are unsure who your local conservation warden is, contact our Training Director, 608-266-2174.

Warden Internship Program:

If you are still in college, you may wish to participate in an internship program through your university or technical college.

The Wisconsin DNR and many universities and colleges have jointly coordinated a warden internship program since the 1970's. The program has been very successful in providing students with a real-life experience to help them decide if the job of a conservation warden is right for them. From the viewpoint of students, warden internships are without exception the highlight of their college experience. Many current Wisconsin wardens were warden interns at one time.

Applicant Requirements:

• Junior standing or higher in a 4-year college or in your second year at a 2-year college,
• Have a 2.5 GPA or higher,
• Pass a background investigation conducted by the Department of Natural Resources, and
• Have contacted a conservation warden and participated in a minimum of two ride-alongs (see Conservation Warden Ride-Along Program information above).

Photo: Students from UW-Stevens Point spent a couple of days on Lake Superior with the area Conservation Warden and experienced swimming in icy cold water.

If you are interested in the Warden Internship Program, contact our office at 608-266-2174 or email our Training Director . We will send you an Internship information packet, which contains the internship application forms. Once approved for an internship, the student and their college internship coordinator will receive an internship agreement from our office.

An internship agreement is a formalized arrangement between the Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Law Enforcement, an accredited college or university, and a student enrolled in such a university that allows the student to accompany a conservation warden during their job duties. This unique opportunity allows students real life experience in order to determine if they want to pursue a career as a Conservation Warden.

If you have any questions about this information, email or call our Training Director (608-266-2174).