Occupation Details
Fish and Game Wardens
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$61,320.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$65,830.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$78,220.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
390
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
440
+5 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
46
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- .40 caliber semi-automatic pistols
- 12-gauge shotguns
- Airboats
- All terrain vehicles ATV
- Animal traps
- Blood collection kits
- Canoes
- Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
- Desktop computers
- Digital camcorders
- Digital cameras
- Emergency first aid kits
- Fingerprint evidence kits
- Four wheel drive 4WD vehicles
- Geodetic ground global positioning system GPS receivers
- Horse bridles
- Horse saddles
- Impression casting kits
- Infrared cameras
- Jet propulsion motor boats
- Jet skis
- Metal handcuffs
- Military rifles
- Necropsy equipment
- Night vision scopes
- Noise meters
- Patrol boats
- Pepper spray
- Personal computers
- Semiautomatic rifles
Technology
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Database software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Mapping software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Puppet
- Spreadsheet software
- Swift
- Web browser software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- testify in court for accident and criminal cases
- operate cameras
- use firearms
- estimate population or condition of plant life, fish, or wildlife
- manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
- prepare reports
- file documents in court
- analyze ecosystem data
- analyze existing evidence or facts
- explain government laws or regulations
- conduct legal searches or investigations
- compile evidence for court actions
- investigate complaints, disturbances, or violations
- use arrest, search, or seizure legal statutes
- use interviewing procedures
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use knowledge of geographic coordinates
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- follow law enforcement methods or procedures
- patrol or guard area or premises
- apply appropriate physical restraint
- ride horses during law enforcement work
- capture animals for control, identification, relocation, sale or humane purposes
- manage community relations for law enforcement agency
- cooperate with court personnel or other law enforcement agencies
- oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
- measure catch to ensure compliance with legal size
- ensure hunting method or equipment are lawful
- enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
- issue citation or warning for violation of laws
- apprehend or arrest suspect or perpetrator of criminal act
- identify firearms or weapons
- recognize public safety hazards
- search for overdue aircraft
- read maps
- gather physical evidence
- communicate details in protective services settings
- make public presentations on law enforcement issues
- make presentations
- serve arrest, search or seizure warrants
- operate helicopters
- drive truck with capacity greater than 3 tons
- operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
- pilot aircraft
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.
- Compile and present evidence for court actions.
- Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
- Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
- Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
- Serve warrants and make arrests.
- Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
- Promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training.
- Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
- Arrange for disposition of fish or game illegally taken or possessed.
- Seize equipment used in fish and game law violations.
- Address schools, civic groups, sporting clubs, or the media to disseminate information concerning wildlife conservation and regulations.
- Recommend revisions in hunting and trapping regulations or in animal management programs so that wildlife balances or habitats can be maintained.
- Inspect commercial operations relating to fish or wildlife, recreation, or protected areas.
- Survey areas and compile figures of bag counts of hunters to determine the effectiveness of control measures.
- Collect and report information on populations or conditions of fish and wildlife in their habitats, availability of game food or cover, or suspected pollution.
- Design or implement control measures to prevent or counteract damage caused by wildlife or people.
- Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.
- Investigate crop, property, or habitat damage or destruction or instances of water pollution to determine causes and to advise property owners of preventive measures.
- Issue licenses, permits, or other documentation.
- Document the extent of crop, property, or habitat damage and make financial loss estimates or compensation recommendations.
- Supervise the activities of seasonal workers.
- Perform facilities maintenance work, such as constructing or repairing structures or controlling weeds or pests.
- Participate in firefighting efforts.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Police and detectives
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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