Wisconsin Conservation Warden

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.

Station locations are unknown at this time and will be made available in September. Applicants will have the opportunity to indicate their station preferences after background investigations have concluded in. Station location placement will be included in the conditional job offer. 

Please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 13900 to complete your application for this posting.  

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment (January 2nd, 2025) or April 21st, 2025, depending on the training path needed – see “Training” section on Wisc.Jobs post for more details).
• Must possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with no OWI convictions within one (1) year, and no more than two (2) moving violations or at fault accidents within the past two (2) years. 
• Must not have any unpardoned felony criminal convictions or for any crimes that would be considered a felony if committed in Wisconsin.
• Must not have any unpardoned domestic violence convictions.

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.