There are many career opportunities to consider in criminal justice, and one of them is working as a game warden. If you enjoy the outdoors and have a...
There are many career opportunities to consider in criminal justice,
and one of them is working as a game warden. If you enjoy the outdoors and have a knack for law enforcement, this might just be for you.
Choosing a career can be a difficult challenge. The pressure can build on you just as the pressures to earn enough to make a living can. Deciding on one career or another may or may not come with an advantage financially, and often you have various factors to base your choice on. The first should always be what you want to do. Other things like what your skills are currently factor in, but sometimes it is possible to choose something that entails a couple of your interests. For example, if you have an interest in the outdoors and wildlife, as well as law enforcement, you might enjoy being a game warden.
There are many other jobs in criminal justice that come with the territory of dealing with violent events, or their aftermath. While they can be lucrative, being in the line of fire is not for everybody. Police officer and homeland security jobs are at a level of demand that is strong and expected to grow, but there are other possibilities.
If you go on a path to be a fish and game warden, the salary is decent enough to consider such a career. The job requirements vary a little bit with each state, and so do the requirements for getting work in the field. Usually a bachelor's degree is a requirement, although sometimes an associate's is acceptable if you have experience in law enforcement or with fish and wildlife.
There is yet more training once the job starts, as you'll be at a training academy for up to a year. You need to be in shape too, since you'll be outdoors and might have to address unruly boaters or even invasions by wildlife. It is also imperative that you know and understand the Fish and Wildlife Code laws and study the proper procedures for the job.
Game warden jobs are typically held in non-urban areas. They can be based in rural state parks or even in large city parks and suburban areas. Knowledge of all the fishing, boating, and hunting laws of the state, as well as federal regulations, is the backbone of the job. You might have to deal with infringements to the Fish and Wildlife Code, which might be fish, animal life, or illegal equipment that has been defined as violations by the code.
The job can get interesting when calls come in to assist law enforcement with wildlife in residential areas. It is becoming increasingly more common to see animals such as coyotes and bears near residential homes, and these animals can be extremely dangerous. It is your job as a game warden to deal with these situations, even if it means subduing the animal using firearms or hopefully non-lethal methods if they are available.
You might also be called in for search and rescue operations. Many agencies are often times called during emergencies and accidents. You could be tasked with managing wildlife while other agencies perform their duties, or navigate other officers through tough terrain. It is also possible you might embark on life-saving missions on the water or have to get people away from the scene of an accident.
Training can start by enrolling in one of many different online schools, which makes it easier to fit the work into your schedule. The main thing to consider if you want to be a game warden is that your office is the outdoors. If you enjoy being among nature's wonders, then it's not a bad deal, but if you are not comfortable being outside all day, then you can still pick another career in criminal justice.
