AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Warden Service is looking to hire several new officers.
“Maine’s Game Wardens are among the state’s most highly trained and trusted law officers,” said Joel Wilkinson, Colonel, Maine Warden Service. “The extensive recruitment process ensures that we get the best candidates.”
The Maine Warden service was created in 1880 to protect Maine’s fish and wildlife, and it is the second largest state law enforcement agency. To be a successful Maine Game Warden, an individual must possess considerable knowledge of wildlife, hunting, fishing, trapping, and other related outdoor sports, a strong desire to work in law enforcement and a willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
A game warden’s key responsibilities include enforcing fish and wildlife laws, search and rescue, enforcing recreational vehicle laws, safety education for hunters, trappers, boaters, snowmobilers and ATV operators, and fostering good relations between outdoor enthusiasts and private landowners.
Warden Service officials said the agency is a modern, professional, highly effective conservation law enforcement entity. Members are certified law enforcement officers with full police powers and statewide jurisdiction. Issued equipment includes four-wheel-drive trucks, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, two-way radio repeater networks, portable radios, GPS units, personal computers, fixed-wing aircraft and night vision equipment for carrying out their responsibilities.
In addition, the service maintains a critical incident management team for search and rescue activities, a dive team and a K-9 unit.
To qualify to become a Maine Game Warden, candidates must be willing to locate anywhere in the state, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have no extensive motor vehicle or criminal record, be at least 21 years old or be at least 20 years old and have completed an associate’s degree or 60 credit hours of post-secondary education prior to the start of formal training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, and have or be able to obtain a valid Maine Class C motor vehicle operator’s license.
The selection process for a Maine Game Warden is extensive and thorough, said Warden Service officials. Applicants must submit proof of having already taken and passed the ALERT and the pre-employment physical fitness test, the latter within one year of date of application. Those who meet the minimum requirements must take a written examination, and those scoring above a certain level will then take an oral board examination.
Successful candidates then must pass a swim test and extensive background check and participate in a final interview, along with a physical and psychological examination and a polygraph test.
Interested candidates can obtain an application and a career opportunity bulletin by visiting mainegamewarden.com.
