Qualifications:
(1) Two years of prior experience as a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) level 1 certified peace officer in a full time position, whose job duties include armed duty with the power of arrest; or (2) a minimum of sixty semester hours from an accredited college or university; or (3) any combination of 1 and 2 above whereby thirty hours will be equivalent to one year of experience, or  (4) completion of an associate degree from a technical college.  Accumulation of technical college hours without an associate degree does not qualify; or (5) four years of continuous active military duty (all Military Occupational Specialties qualifies.)

Pay:
Starting Monthly Salary: $2383.56 PS109
The Wildlife Enforcement Cadet is part of a training series. Minimum starting salary is $2383.56 per month. After the first six months of employment the Cadet is eligible for a 4% merit increase. This becomes the cadet's "anniversary date." On that date the Cadet will be eligible for an additional 4% merit increase until the maximum of his or her PS level is reached. After serving a one year probationary period, the Cadet is then reallocated to a Wildlife Enforcement Agent. This is a PS 110 (Salary Range: $2652.43 - $3685) and results in a 7% increase in pay.

After serving one more year of the probationary period, the Wildlife Enforcement Agent is then reallocated to a Wildlife Enforcement Senior Agent. This is a PS 111 with a beginning salary of $3246.78. (Salary Range: $3246.78 - $3942)  The Wildlife Enforcement Senior Agent is the last stage in the training series.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' enforcement agents are an important component in the continuance of the state's fisheries resources. The Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing Federal and State laws relative to fish and wildlife resources, boating safety regulations, as well as federal regulations pertaining to migratory birds and endangered species.

Job duties include patrolling assigned areas of the state for the purpose of detecting game and fish law violators. These areas consist of sections of Louisiana's forests, swamps, fields, streams, bayous, lakes, marshlands, Gulf of Mexico with state jurisdiction, state and federal highways, and parish and rural roads.

Agents check hunters, fishermen, boaters, dealers, restaurants, breeders, farmers, and transporters for compliance with regulations governing equipment, limits, quotas, licenses, sizes, and registrations. They may apprehend violators by citation or arrest, through observation, investigation and/or complaints. Agents are responsible for preparing legal documents and making courtroom presentations through testimony in Federal and State Courts for the prosecution of violators. Agents will assist other Departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional efforts; and by responding to emergency alerts by the Office of Emergency Preparedness. The wildlife agent performs search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard or other Agencies. Responsibilities include patrolling regattas and special marine events to insure safety regulations are adhered to.

How to apply:
A Civil Service pre-employment application may be obtained through a local Civil Service or Job Service Office, through the internet at http://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov, or by calling Wildlife and Fisheries, Personnel at (225) 765-2850. Submit the application (SF10) to the DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE, either in person at the Baton Rouge and New Orleans Information Offices or by mail, using the mailing address printed at the top of the application. This position requires the Law Enforcement and Protective Service Jobs (LEAPS) test. There is a Certifiable Score of 90 for this position. Walk-in testing is now available in Baton Rouge and New Orleans Civil Service offices. For further information you may contact the Civil Service Examining Division in Baton Rouge at 225-925-1917 and in New Orleans 225-568-5612, or you can visit their Web Site.

Selection procedures:
When a vacancy occurs eligible applicants will be notified by letter for an interview.  Applicants are interviewed by an interview panel to assure every possible consideration for employment. This agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against anyone based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other non-merit factor in its employment practice. Applicants selected for employment must successfully pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen and submit satisfactory proof of identity and/or legal authorization to work in the United States. Under Federal law, failure to submit this proof could prohibit the applicant being hired.

When applying for a Cadet position, be sure and select only the parishes in which you are willing to live and work. It is the policy of the Enforcement Division to require that a new employee live within a 25 mile radius of the parish in which the vacancy is to be filled. The employee must reside within the district.

Necessary special requirements:
(1) Must have attained 18th birthday at time of application. (2) An applicant who has been convicted of a felony, or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from the disabilities imposed by state and federal laws is granted. You also must possess a valid Louisiana driver's license at the time of appointment.

Training:
The division continues to develop its training program. Due to the standards of professionalism and preparedness in the LDWF cadet training program, it is generally considered one of the best in the nation. Cadets receive a minimum of 21 weeks of training. The academy is located at the Baton Rouge Headquarters and provides offices, classrooms and lodging facilities.

Most agents are now certified in the following areas: Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (LDWF), Chemical Testing for Intoxication (State Police), DWI Detection (Highway Safety Division), Tactical Police Driving (Baton Rouge City Police), Louisiana Safe Drivers' Course (Department of Safety), Waterfowl Enforcement, Saltwater Enforcement Patrol, Basic Marine Theft (Mississippi Fish and Game), Basic Defensive Tactics and Collapsible Baton Techniques (LDWF), Wildlife Agents Aquatic Survival (LDWF), and Peace Officers Standard Training (Louisiana State Police).

Some Areas of Training covered in the Academy:
Title 56 (wildlife laws), Federal regulations (USFWS), Dept. Policy & Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure, Operation Game Thief, Civil Rights (FBI), Title 32 (highway laws), Firearms, Chemical Weapons, Hunter Education, Boating Education, Boating Operation, ATV Operation & Safety, Saltwater Patrol, Land Navigation, Fish Identification, Wildlife Forensics, Narcotics, Search & Seizure, Interview and Interrogation (FBI), Finger Printing, First Aid, Accident Investigation, Field Survival, Basic Fire Fighting, Hazardous Materials, Juvenile Matters, Hostage Negotiations, Rape Investigation, Sex Crimes (FBI), Corrections, Stress Management, Nutrition.

Wildlife agents continue to train throughout their career. Advanced training for selected officers is available in areas such as drug identification in the field, marine theft, boating accident investigation, and SCUBA training. 

Special Forces:
The Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division has areas of specialization which an agent may choose to pursue during his or her career in wildlife enforcement.

The Oyster Strike Force and Salt Water Enforcement Patrol successfully enforces oyster and saltwater fishing regulations. These units specialize in monitoring commercial and recreational fishing activity along Louisiana's coastline.

The Covert Section specializes in investigating cases involving the illegal sale and purchase of game, fish and protected species.

The Department has a Wildlife Enforcement Dive Team who specializes in search and rescue, recovery and salvage.

State Strike Force agents agents mobilize to any location in the state where additional manpower is needed to address violations or to oversee special events.  They focus on recreational hunting and fishing activities in areas of the state with high usage such as wildlife management areas and refuges.  They also focus on commercial fishing activities during high activity periods.

Special Investigations Unit focuses on the commercial fishing industry.  These agents focus on wholesale and retail seafood sales and interstate transport of Louisiana seafood products.

A career with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division will provide a great deal of satisfaction by becoming a very important part of a team dedicated to preserving Louisiana's rich natural heritage and generous resources.

For more information contact:
Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Human Resources Section
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000
(Physical Address: 2000 Quail Dr., Rm 232, zip 70898)
Telephone: (225) 765-2853
Fax (225) 763-3510
chenderson@wlf.louisiana.gov

*This information was provided by the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries.