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Getting
there
from
here
The
most
common
question
we
receive
at
the
Alberta
Game
Warden
magazine
is
how
to
become
an
Alberta
Fish
and
Wildlife
officer.
The
following
is
a
brief
synopsis
of
the
position,
the
requisite
qualifications
and
the
hiring
process.
The
Fish
and
Wildlife
Division
(FWD)
is
responsible
for
protecting,
preserving
and
managing
Alberta's
fish
and
wildlife
resources.
Law
enforcement
is
an
important
element
of
successful
environmental
management
and
Fish
and
Wildlife
officers
provide
the
front
line
effort.
They
are
responsible
for
ensuring
compliance
with
provincial
and
federal
laws
and
regulations
(see
Common
Laws
on
page
5
of
this
issue)
by
monitoring
hunters,
anglers,
trappers,
commercial
fishermen,
industry
and
other
persons,
firms
or
agencies
whose
unregulated
activities
could
detrimentally
affect
Alberta's
resources.
In
addition,
officers
are
responsible
for
maintaining
public
relations
and
dispensing
information,
assisting
other
department
personnel
and,
from
time
to
time,
providing
support
to
other
law
enforcement
agencies.
Other
duties
may
include
issuing
various
licenses
and
permits,
inspecting
commercial
operations
relating
to
fish
and
wildlife
and
providing
information
to
licensing
agents.
Fish
and
Wildlife
officers
play
an
active
roll
in
prevention,
mitigation
and
compensation
programs
associated
with
problem
wildlife.
They
act
on
wildlife/human
conflicts
that
may
pose
a
safety
concern
and
investigate
complaints
of
property
damage
caused
by
wildlife.
For
example,
Fish
and
Wildlife
officers
examine
livestock
kills
to
determine
if
a
predator
such
as
a
bear,
wolf
or
cougar
is
responsible
and
then
initiate
control
action
to
prevent
further
attacks.
Officers
deliver
a
variety
of
public
service
programs
by
representing
the
division
in
the
media,
at
schools,
sportsmen's
clubs,
civic
groups
or
other
gatherings.
They
regularly
work
on
weekends
and
holidays
when
the
public
is
most
active
and
are
expected
to
respond
after
normal
working
hours
to
violations
and
occurrences
involving
serious
human/wildlife
conflicts.
A
Fish
and
Wildlife
officer
may
be
stationed
at
any
one
of
61
districts
across
the
province.
For
developmental
purposes,
an
officer
will
usually
be
transferred
at
least
once
during
his/her
first
few
years
of
employment.
As
an
officer's
career
progresses,
opportunities
for
transfer
and
advancement
are
available.
Transfers
may
also
take
place
to
address
operational
needs
of
the
division.
Applicants
require
a
four-year
applied
degree
in
conservation
law
enforcement
or
a
technical
diploma
or
Bachelors
Degree
in
the
resource
management
field
and
directly
related
conservation
law
enforcement
experience.
Applicants
must
posses
a
valid
Class
5
operator's
licence,
have
a
clean
criminal
record
and
be
eligible
to
hold
a
Special
Constable
Appointment.
Those
who
possess
the
requisite
qualifications
may
be
invited
to
participate
in
a
behavioral
event
interview,
where
a
panel
of
recruiters
will
investigate
the
applicant's
personal
suitability
and
skill
level.
A
written
examination
is
used
to
test
for
technical
knowledge
of
the
position.
Following
a
successful
interview
and
written
test,
an
in-depth
background/reference
check
is
conducted.
Applicants
must
be
in
good
physical
condition
and
be
able
to
pass
a
physical
abilities
test.
They
must
also
meet
comprehensive
vision,
hearing,
medical
and
psychological
standards
in
order
to
progress
to
the
next
step.
Failure
to
pass
any
stage
in
the
selection
process
would
result
in
disqualification.
Entry-level
Fish
and
Wildlife
officers
must
undergo
a
one-year
supervised
probationary
period
and
successfully
complete
approximately
20
weeks
of
in-service
training.
The
officer
is
eligible
for
permanent
employment
following
successful
completion
of
the
probationary
period.
This
information
has
been
provided
courtesy
of
Sustainable
Resource
Development,
Fish
and
Wildlife
Division.
Daniel
Boyco
is
a
member
of
the
Alberta
Game
Warden
Association
in
Edmonton.
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