Conservation Wardens are Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers, whose primary responsibility is to protect the natural resources of the State and the citizens who enjoy them. Their enforcement authority extends throughout the State, and includes wildlife, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and environmental laws. In addition, Conservation Wardens have full police authority on all DNR-owned property (parks and forests) and are responsible for the delivery of all law enforcement services on those properties.
Conservation Wardens are responsible for providing public safety and natural resource protection services for all citizens in their community. Often, this career affords Wardens an opportunity to engage with diverse communities. The Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection (DPSRP) is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, building trusting relationships, and thoughtfully engaging and serving our diverse public.
Wardens must exemplify exceptional customer service, which may include issuing a citation, responding to a recreational vehicle accident investigation, explaining a regulation to someone who finds it confusing, or respectfully listening to a customer's concern about a regulation change. Wardens also utilize community policing and attend numerous outreach and public relations events. Wardens respond to a variety of calls for service, stemming from patrol work or customer complaints. Wardens investigate persons or property crimes, conduct traffic monitoring, control, and enforcement, respond to emergency medical calls (sometimes in remote locations), enforce property-specific regulations, and assist customers with questions.
Education: Once hired, employees have five (5) years from date of hire or initial law enforcement employment in Wisconsin (whichever began first) to obtain the required 60 college credits.
Training: Upon appointment, all applicants must attend the required paid training prior to beginning independent work, including a DNR-specific academy, 20 weeks of field training, and seven (7) weeks of specialized training.
Applicants who have not yet attended a Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement academy, will attend the full 720-hour DOJ certified Department of Natural Resources Warden Academy. The start date for this training path will be January 2nd, 2025 (current state employees will start at the beginning of the pay period on December 29th, 2024).
Applicants who are certified as Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers through the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board, OR law enforcement officers eligible for the Wisconsin Department of Justice reciprocity program, will attend an abbreviated Department of Natural Resources Warden Academy for six (6) weeks. The start date for this training path is April 21st, 2025.
Station Placement & Living Requirements: Applicants will have the opportunity to indicate their station preferences after background investigations have concluded. Station location placement will be included in the conditional job offer. After successful completion of the training program, Wardens will report to their station, and will be required to meet specific living requirements. Wardens are required to live within certain boundaries of their assigned station within 90 days of reporting to their station. Conservation Wardens are prohibited from applying for station relocations during their first two (2) years of full-time employment.
Minimally qualified candidates will have each of the following:
Experience providing customer service.
Personal experience recreating in the Natural Resources (e.g., boating, motor sports, hiking, camping, bird watching, hunting, fishing, etc.).
Experience solving problems, independently or while collaborating on a team.
In addition, highly qualified candidates will one or more of the following:
Education, experience teaching (e.g., serving as a Learn to Hunt Mentor, Snowmobile/ATV Safety Instructor, or similar), and/or work experience in Natural Resource-related fields.
Experience providing customer service during an unpleasant situation or conflict.
Experience collaborating or building relationships with diverse groups, either in a personal or work setting.
Tagged as: Law/Policy
