Looking thru the new Reg Book I see there are lot's of vacancies scattered throughout the state. I you have ever thought about being a game warden, this might be a good time to prepare to pursue it.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

There are no open job announcements right now, but you may want to check the qualification requirements so you will be ready if an announcement does come open.

The requirements are:

JOB INFORMATION
The Conservation Enforcement Officer – General Option is a permanent full-time position with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Positions are located throughout the state. After completing required training, Conservation Enforcement Officers
are responsible for the enforcement of conservation laws pertaining to game and fish, seafood, water safety, and parks.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• High School Diploma or GED
• Six (6) months of experience participating in any area related to Conservation programs and their laws and regulations, to include
activities involving game, fish, seafood, water safety, and parks
• U.S. Citizenship
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Applicants must be age 21 or older at time of application.
• Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the Alabama Department of Public Safety at time of appointment.
• Applicants must meet the standards of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission during their probationary
period.


The continuous annoncement is at the following link: Continuous announcement link

If you have a college degree and want to be an enforcement officer with a biologist option, the continuous announcement can be found at this link:
Officer/biologist link



Go ahead and get on the notification list if you're interested.


Here's a link to the new Reg Book. All the game wardens are listed with their counties in the front of the book, and you can see there are a lot of vacancies there:
Game and Fish Regulations 2011-2012


Good luck with your job search,
Eddie

We can't keep them in Jackson Co. . We've had a hard time keeping 2 last few years. We need 4! We have a large county, with more management areas than anyone else. We've got deer, turkeys, ducks and geese. Hunters from other counties and states leave their area and come to ours! Not to mention we have some world class road hunters and spot lighters of our own.

They've had vacancies for 15-20 years, never at full strength.

Unfortunately, most law enforcement agencies have this problem these days.

Is that due to lack of funding or lack of applicants?

well I think that it is the lack of pay,which would fall under lack of funding,which would cause a lack of applicants

lack of funding, they have hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants.

up and down cycle for the 26 years I spent with DCNR, depending on how much money the DCNR had. Sometimes a LOT of vacancies , sometimes just a few.

They fill them as they can.

What is the starting pay for a GW?

35-36k

Basically, a step above living on food stamps.

Better than some neighboring states.

I took the test back at the first of October and received my test results at the first of November I scored in Band 1. From what I understand is there could be 20 people or 2,000 people in band 1 so you don't really know how many people your up against. I know when I took the test in Montgomery there was about 20 other people taking it also. I just hope and pray that I get the opportunity to pursue this career it is something that I have been working for since June.

I hate that "band" rating/scoring thing. They started it so they could hire minorities that might be # 187 on the actual score alone but put everyone from 188 and lower in band one and you can hire him/her over someone who had the highest score. Total bs....

I agree Bhamfred, I heard that was why they use that type of scoring.

I took the test tears ago and got a one also and after the time elapsed to take the test again I changed what I wanted to be my career. Never a call or nothing.

If you are a current state employee and you were selected for one of these jobs, would the base salary be higher, considering time in the retirement system?

I wish we could have 4 or 5 in each county, but I doubt that will ever happen. Times are thin and funding is short. Gas prices have really been hard on the DCNR's budget the past several years.

I think they do a great job with what they have, I just wish they had more!

It would take 4.2 GWs in each county to provide 24/7 coverage. With no overtime of course.

Elkhunter, they are going the other way.....

They have come up with a new term...hybrid officers! They will be enforcement officers for Nov-Jan and become biologists(Wildlife) for the rest of the year. But they are taking an Enforcement position off the list....

If there were anyone I'd say deserves not to pay income taxes, its these guys. Along with Cops, Firefighters, and military at income levels like this. Amazing that you litterally can put your life on the line daily and make less than a waiter/waitress. I know that its a "choice" to do so, but some "callings" are not always a choice.