Qualifications and Standards

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Conservation Warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bureau of Law Enforcement. We are pleased you have chosen us as a potential employer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Have either completed 120 academic credits from an accredited college or university or have 60 credits from an accredited college or university and 2 years experience as a certified law enforcement officer. Be prepared to present a college transcript upon request prior to the first interview;
• Possess or be eligible to obtain a valid Wisconsin drivers license;
• Be at least 21 years of age;
• Have NO unpardoned felony convictions or convictions of domestic violence laws;
• Applicants must be in excellent health, free from any physical, emotional and mental condition, which might adversely affect performance as a law enforcement officer;
• Successfully pass the minimum entrance level for physical fitness testing (see attachment “Vision, Hearing, Physical Standards for Conservation Wardens”).

Desired Knowledge and Skills

Natural resource management including the habits and environmental preferences of birds, animals and fish common to Wisconsin; weapons, traps, tackle, etc., used in taking game and fish legally and illegally; observation and recall techniques; safe use of firearms, boats, ATV's, snowmobiles, and other issued equipment and its maintenance; interpersonal and human relations skills; public presentation experience; experience in teaching and educating at various age levels.

We're looking for folks who have demonstrated the following strengths, skills and abilities:

• A strong affinity, interest and passion for protecting our natural resources.
• Want to be positive and dedicated employees of the Department of Natural Resources.
• Are interested in interacting with people on a daily basis in a caring and positive manner.
• Show the willingness to become involved in their communities, including being members of sporting, conservation and civic groups. Taking on leadership roles within these organizations and showing the ability to be a problem solver within the community.
• Have the innate and trained abilities to be a good law enforcement officer - drive, determination, curiosity, confidence, assertiveness and professionalism.
• Can be effective working in both a team setting and alone. Can self-direct their activities on a daily basis in an effective, efficient and accountable manner without being told what to do by a supervisor.
  

A well qualified applicant is someone who has a Bachelor's degree related to the job duties and knowledge requirements described above or equivalent training and experience, and has experience as a law enforcement officer.

Education Standards

The education standard for conservation wardens requires an applicant to have either completed 120 academic credits from an accredited college or university or have 60 credits from an accredited college or university and 2 years experience as a certified law enforcement officer. We do not require a specific type of degree or area of study. Applicants who meet the minimum level of college education are occasionally successful in becoming a warden. Keep in mind however, the hiring and selection process for a position as a conservation warden is highly competitive and most of our successful candidates have a 4 year bachelor's degree. The most common college disciplines of study include majors and/or minors in areas such as natural resources, conservation, environmental studies, the natural sciences or criminal justice. On average about half of our successful candidates have previously completed a law enforcement certification academy. Many of the applicants for warden positions have found ways to combine natural resources or science degrees with law enforcement or criminal justice training and work experience.

Vision, hearing, physical standards for conservation wardens*

If chosen as a Conservation Warden candidate, the following standards will be tested.

VISION STANDARDS:

The Department of Natural Resources has vision standards that must be met by any applicant before hiring.

1. Corrected Snellen far visual acuity of 20/30 binocular.
2. Traffic red, green, and amber color vision perception required.
3. Peripheral visual fields of at least 85 degrees in horizontal plane.

HEARING TEST:

The Department of Natural Resources has hearing standards that must be met by any applicant before hiring. (500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 6000 Hertz tested): Normal conversation is at about 40 decibels. (This is a frequency measure - one cycle per second = one hertz).

1. Job placement precluded if:
   a. Hearing in best aided ear>25 dB in 3 of 4 speech frequencies (500, 1000 or 2000 and 3000 Hertz).
   or
   b. Hearing in best aided ear >30 dB in either 500, 1000, or 2000 Hertz and average hearing threshold >30 dB for all speech frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hertz).
2. Further consideration of appropriate job placement if hearing threshold in worst unaided ear >35 dB for 3 of 4 speech frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 or 3000 Hertz).

FITNESS FOR DUTY:

Swim Test: Finalists will be tested on their ability to swim 200 yards in less than 7 minutes, 35 seconds.

The Department of Natural Resources has physical fitness standards that must be met by all applicants before hiring to comply with statutory mandates requiring a high degree of fitness for law enforcement positions. The testing procedure for these standards has been changed from previous years. The new evaluation process will utilize a work simulator, which provides the most comprehensive assessment possible of a worker’s physical capabilities. Its five testing stations include: static and dynamic strength testing, whole body range of motion assessment, work endurance evaluation, standing and walking work tolerance, and seated work range of motion.

The work simulator has the capacity to match worker capabilities to the 12,741 job titles classified by the U. S. Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles or the specific demands of the employer. Evaluations will be performed by certified evaluators using the work simulator, a state of the art assessment process. This process can objectively determine a worker’s potential to meet the physical demands and tolerate the environmental conditions needed to safety perform general or job specific tasks. The Fitness for Duty test will be administered to those successfully completing the final interview.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING:

Psychological screening, that includes written testing and interviews, is done to determine suitability of the individual to perform law enforcement work and will be completed prior to the final interview.

MEDICAL EXAM/DRUG TESTING:

A medical examination and drug screening will be conducted for candidates that receive a conditional job offer. Failure to meet any part of the medical examination or drug testing will be disqualifying.

*The vision and hearing standard for the WI DNR was researched by A. S. Wilmeth, MD, of Occupational Medicine, Dean Medical at 1313 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53715, and adopted by the DNR Physical Fitness Oversight Committee on July 1, 1999.

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