Also called: Conservation Officer, Fish and Wildlife Officer, Environmental Conservation Police Officer
A police officer of the outdoors who enforces hunting, fishing, and boating laws and protects wildlife.
Game wardens might check fishing licenses at dawn on a lake, track a poacher through the woods at night, and rescue a trapped deer by afternoon. They patrol by truck, boat, ATV, and snowmobile, often alone in remote areas. They also teach hunter safety.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in wildlife biology, conservation, or criminal justice, plus police academy.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Wildlife Biology, Natural Resources, Criminal Justice, Environmental Science.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). BLS fish and game wardens (approx.).
Low risk for 10 years. Trail cameras and drones help spot poachers; patrolling woods and lakes and checking hunters stay human.
Classes: Biology, AP Environmental Science, PE / fitness, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3031.
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