Game Warden Trainee

RECRUITMENT PROCESS & TIMELINES
- Please read carefully.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be scheduled for an in-person testing day, which will include both a written and physical exam administered by the Vermont Warden Service. The Vermont Game Warden entrance test is approximately 1.5 hours long. It is a multiple-choice exam. This exam covers materials relevant to basic wildlife biology, firearms, recreational activities, and identification of Vermont fish and wildlife species and their habitats.

Based on the results of the written exams, candidates who pass will advance to the physical fitness test. Please look at the Vermont Police Academy’s website for more details on the physical fitness test: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). . To pass the physical fitness test, candidates must score at or above the 50th percentile. The test consists of a 500-meter row and a 1.5-mile run.

The written tests and physical fitness test are scheduled for the same day, Monday August 31st.

Candidates who successfully complete the written tests and the physical fitness test will be scheduled for an oral panel interview. These interviews will be scheduled starting September 1st and continue into that week and the following. Those traveling from a far will be prioritized for the first couple days after the initial testing day to save on travel.

Candidates who are scheduled for the oral panel interview will also be assigned the NTN Frontline written test for the Vermont Police Academy. It is a written test made up of four sections:
Situational Judgement Video Score, Writing Score, Reading Score, and a Public Safety Self-Assessment. To find out more details about that test see link to the Vermont Police Academies website:  . Final candidates will undergo a background investigation, an examination by a physician, a psychological exam, a polygraph exam, as well as a swim test. Once hired, incumbents will complete a twelve-month probationary training period which includes participation in the Vermont Police Academy's full-time law enforcement training program (currently 16 weeks, exceptions made for in and out of state pre-certified law enforcement officers depending on certification).

Upon successful completion of the Vermont Police Academy Training program and an eight-month on-the-job field training period, the employee will be assigned a district anywhere in the state. Failure to successfully complete this training will result in separation from the uniformed warden service.

The final list of eligible candidates will be good for up to two years.

The mandatory retirement age for this position is 57

This position,
Game Warden Trainee (Job Requisition #55228), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

Duties and training performed in class and field settings involve traversing rough terrain and bodies of water and the lifting and transporting of heavy objects, in addition to exposure to the variety of Vermont climatic conditions. Duties will require evening, weekend and other irregular duty hours and significant overtime duty. Incumbents will be required to wear a uniform and carry firearms during duty shifts.

Field duties are usually performed from a motor vehicle. Exposure to danger will occur in a variety of situations.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field of study

OR

An associate’s degree with a major field of study in conservation or natural resources (e.g., environmental science or studies, wildlife management), biological or life sciences (e.g., biology, zoology), or criminal justice; AND three (3) years’ work experience

OR

High school diploma or equivalent AND either:

• Four (4) years’ of experience as a certified law enforcement officer OR
• Four (4) years’ in the military on full-time duty, with discharge under honorable or other acceptable conditions

OR

High school diploma or equivalent and five (5) full-time years’ work experience.

Additional qualifications required by the Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Vermont Police Academy…