GAME WARDEN 82202 D

This is the first class in the Game Warden Series. Positions in this class exercise general police powers on a statewide basis to enforce fish, wildlife, and boat laws; and to promote wildlife conservation and hunting and boating safety. This class is distinguished from the Game Warden Senior class by the latter’s responsibility for functioning in a lead worker capacity; and providing guidance to Game Wardens, specializing in undercover investigations, or by concentrating in related training and educational areas.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty which involves patrolling wilderness areas to preserve wildlife resources, promoting public safety, and enforcing criminal laws and agency regulations. Checks licenses and required safety equipment; inspects creel and bag limits; monitors methods of taking fish and wildlife; and issues citations and/or apprehends law violators. Prepares information used in court cases to support enforcement actions; questions witnesses and informants: and collects and preserves physical evidence. Investigates hunting and boating accidents to determine law violations and appropriate charges, and prepares investigation reports. Investigates landowner complaints of crop damage and issues permits to kill game, as appropriate. Establishes big game checking stations during hunting season and ensures their operation to support the department’s biological data collection. Tags animal furs and inspects the permits, records, and holding pens of applicants and current holders of wild game breeder permits. Instructs citizen groups on hunting and fishing practices. May provide court testimony; and may provide support to other law enforcement agencies by participating in coordinated investigations, stake outs, raids, and arrests.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from a Game Warden Supervisor. May receive patrol assignments, work schedules and prioritized objectives from a Game Warden Senior.

Scope: Performs work which affects public safety, wildlife resources, landowner property, the concerns of sports persons and the economic interests within a patrol area.

Impact of Actions: Work has serious impact on the safe and controlled use of wildlife resources. Ineffective work actions may lead to adverse publicity, legal actions and major costs to wildlife resources.

Personal Contacts: This class has frequent internal and external contact with the public, various state and federal law enforcement agencies and Commonwealth's Attorneys regarding law enforcement issues, departmental programs, wildlife management, and the provision and acquisition of information.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of applicable principles and practices of local and state government, investigative and law enforcement techniques, applicable statutes and regulations, and types and habitats of Virginia game and fish.

Skills: Working skill in the safe and effective use of applicable law enforcement equipment, powerboats, and communications equipment.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to perform law enforcement duties; enforce applicable laws and regulations; successfully complete law enforcement and other required training; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; exercise apprehension and arrest powers; and to give court testimony.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Law enforcement certification by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and a valid Virginia driver's license.

Education or Training: Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience related to general law enforcement; wildlife conservation; or wildlife, boating or fishing regulations.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and edited and validated by the Department of Personnel and Training, effective April 1991.

Last updated: 04/16/91