The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's Law Enforcement Division is now accepting applications for the 61st Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Trainee Traditional Academy. WRC prepares to hire 18-25 Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers (“Game Wardens”) throughout the State!
Would you like to be a part of an agency that conserves North Carolina's wildlife resources and their habitats while providing programs and opportunities allowing hunters, anglers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation and sporting activities?
APPLY for the 61st Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Trainee Basic Academy TODAY! The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024, at 5:00pm.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's Law Enforcement Division employs approximately 244 Wildlife Officers who patrol fields, forests, and inland waters at all hours in all 100 North Carolina counties. These officers ensure public compliance with fishing, wildlife, and boating laws and regulations, enforce the conservation of wildlife resources, and provide public safety through proactive law enforcement and quality education.
Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers
Duties of a Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer include such activities as patrolling fields, forests, and inland waters via automobiles, boats, ATVs, and on foot; reporting to a Sergeant and patrolling a district either alone or as part of a patrol; checking licenses of hunters and fisherman and examining the game or fish taken to determine compliance with the applicable laws and regulations and seizing illegal hunting and fishing devices and all game and fish taken illegally.
Officers are also responsible for investigating violations, arresting violators and presenting court testimony; investigating conditions and recommending whether to issue permits to private citizens to raise game or fish in captivity or to trap and net game or fish; checking boats for proper certification and boating equipment and observing boat operation for detection and apprehension of reckless or impaired operators and wills will assist in search and rescue operations for the victims of boating accidents or for lost hunters and anglers. Other duties are assigned as needed.
The 61st Basic Academy (Traditional Program) Timeline:
MAY 2024: Applications are accepted via the NC State Government Job Opportunities website (governmentjobs.com). The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024!
SUMMER 2024: Pre-Academy Screenings to access Physical Fitness/Ability, and Reading Comprehension. Candidates will be assigned ONE DAY to attend and complete assessments. and Interviews. Tentatively scheduled from July 2024 to August 2024.
FALL 2024: The Pre-Academy Screenings continue, including Drug Screening, Criminal Background Check and the Medical and Psychological exams. Formal Offers to join WRC’s 61st Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Trainee Basic Academy will be extended!
WINTER 2024/2025: The 61st Basic Academy is expected to begin between December 2024 and January 2025. Applicants who are selected for Basic Academy/Entry Level Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Trainee positions will complete a vigorous 30-week Basic Academy held at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Samarcand Training Academy, located in Jackson Springs, NC (Moore County). Trainees are housed in dorms with fellow Officer Trainees. Basic Academy training is scheduled Monday-Friday, NO WEEKENDS and NO HOLIDAYS! Trainees will not be able to stay at the Training Center dorm during weekends or holidays. The training is highly structured (very active, with 5:30 a.m. physical training most mornings). At the Basic Academy – you will get your Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) training, as well as specific Wildlife Law Enforcement Training.
SPRING 2025: Take the Final BLET state exam. Trainees must be at least 20 years of age at the time of the BLET state exam. Tentatively scheduled for May 12, 2025.
SUMMER 2025: GRADUATION! Graduation is tentatively scheduled for July 2025. Graduates of the Basic Academy must be willing to relocate anywhere in North Carolina for the 6 months of field training and for a permanent duty assignment. Graduates of the Basic Academy become Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers!
SUMMER/FALL 2025: New Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers are placed with Field Training Officers for at least six months of on-the-job field training.
WINTER 2026: A permanent duty area is assigned upon successful completion of field training. Tentatively scheduled for February 2025.
REQUIREMENTS...
To Apply for WRC’s 61st Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Trainee Basic Academy:
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Everyone is encouraged to apply! The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
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If you have technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov (governmentjobs.com) Help Line at 855-524-5627. For more information and resources regarding employment with the State of North Carolina, visit the Office of State Human Resources website (oshr.nc.gov).
To SUCCESSFULLY PASS the WRC-Law Enforcement Pre-Academy Screening:-
Pass the standards for criminal justice employment (extensive background, drug testing, physical fitness/ability, and medical/psychological screening).
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Possess a 10th-grade reading comprehension level.
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Complete WRC Law Enforcement interviews.
For more information regarding the physical fitness assessment (Modified POPAT), medical screening guidelines, and the standards for criminal justice employment, please visit the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website at www.ncwildlifeofficerjobs.org.
To GRADUATE WRC’s 61st Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Trainee Basic Academy:-
Complete NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) by meeting all BLET standards and qualifications set out by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
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Pass the NC BLET State Examination.
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Complete NC Wildlife Law Enforcement-specific training.
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Successful completion of the Basic Academy.
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Meet the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission minimum qualifications.
Failure to meet either of these qualifications will result in the removal of the NC Wildlife Basic Academy and likely termination.
Wildlife Law Enforcement Basic Academy Graduates are sworn in as Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers!
Upon completion of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Trainee Basic Academy, WRC Law Enforcement Officers will possess:-
Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relating to the protection and management of game and fish, boating, and NC game and fish species, their habits, and natural requirements.
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Knowledge of and skill in the use of firearms and hunting and fishing equipment.
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Ability to enforce laws impartially and justly.
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Ability to operate outboard motorboats, automobiles, and police radio systems.
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Ability to maintain satisfactory working relationships with the public and other employees.
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Ability to keep routine records and write standard reports.
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail.
High school or General Education Development (GED) diploma.
Necessary Special Qualifications:
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Must be at least 20 years of age or turn 20 years of age before taking the State Exam at the completion of the Basic Training School.
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Possession of a valid NC Driver's License.
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Must meet the applicable education, employment, and training standards as administered through the NC Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission or the ability to achieve certification within one year of employment.
https://www.ncwildlife.org/Careers/Become-an-Enforcement-Officer
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission Mission Statement is to conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation. The Commission is the regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of N.C. fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws. The NCWRC employs 700 full-time staff across the state, including wildlife and fisheries biologists and technicians, wildlife law enforcement officers, wildlife educators, communication specialists, customer service, information technology, and administrative professionals.
*The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer*
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is committed to maintaining a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. NCWRC strives to ensure that all employment practices are implemented in a manner that is equitable to all applicants and employees.
Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax reference the contact information below. All applicants should indicate the position number and job title in the section "Jobs Applied For".
Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 Form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty along with your application.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference (to include North Carolina Army National Guard & North Carolina Air National Guard) must attach a copy of the NGB 23A (RPAS) or a copy of the DD256 or NGB 22 along with your application.
All Required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application form to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form. Applications stating "See Attached Resume" or including an embedded text resume will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.
*Degrees must be received from institutions appropriately accredited by the U.S. Department of Education*
If you have started a college degree program but have not completed it – please document the number of Semester CREDIT HOURS you have completed in the Education section of your application.
*State Employee Benefits*
We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Learn more about employee resources, safety, health and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by visiting the NC OSHR website... https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits
*Employment Eligibility*
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).
*For More Information*
For more information about the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, visit the WRC website… https://www.ncwildlife.org/
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Human Resources Office
Phone: 919-707-0101
Fax: 919-707-0108