Law Enforcement Officer Position

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer

Last updated on December 09, 2023
PST Partner Agency since May 29, 2014

Vacancies: 5

Important Information

We are currently hiring and will interview lateral applicants as they apply through PST. Make sure that your Personal History Statement is complete (DETAILED) when submitted.

Lateral candidates must have at least three years of full-time law enforcement experience and a current CJTC commission or equivalent to meet the minimum requirements.

Please review our updated disqualifiers at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/enforcement/jobs/requirements

To find job details, go to: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/enforcement/jobs

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) will have to review your training profile/background and any academy certifications in order to determine whether your certification is recognized. Please view their process here.

Duty stations are assigned upon completion of the entire hiring process. Duty Stations are assigned per mission need and candidates may not always receive the area they desire. However, there are opportunities for movement as positions come open, thus a candidate could eventually end up in the desired location. Candidates should be flexible and willing to move upon application for a Fish and Wildlife Officer career.

We are looking for exceptionally qualified candidates who meet our minimum eligibility requirements, and are passionate about protecting Washington's fish and wildlife populations.

Exceptionally qualified applicants will not only meet or exceed our minimum qualifications, but will also have an extensive background in hunting and/or fishing, a clear understanding of our highly specialized brand of law enforcement, and a strong desire to protect Washington’s unique fish and wildlife species for future generations to enjoy. Exceptional candidates will also be able to provide examples of how they exemplify the WDFW Police core values (Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy) in both their personal and professional lives.

*Please pay close attention to the minimum requirements and disqualifiers before applying for a Fish and Wildlife Police Officer position.*


Community Information

Washington State boasts lush rainforests, majestic mountain ranges, freshwater lakes, a rugged coastline, rolling hills, alpine meadows, high desert, and winding rivers – a diverse landscape that is home to nearly seven million people and a variety of fish and wildlife species. Land this rich in natural beauty and habitat is ideal for those seeking outdoor recreational opportunities. Most Washingtonians and many visitors enjoy participating in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, clam digging, boating, and wildlife watching, on both public and private lands throughout the state.


Although Washington’s recreating public tends to have the most contact with our Officers, Fish and Wildlife Police Officers are deployed statewide in both rural and urban areas to enforce all Washington State laws (including criminal code, traffic laws, etc.), fish and wildlife regulations, and specific federal laws.

Department Information

"PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE PUBLIC WE SERVE"

The mission of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police is to protect our natural resources and the public we serve. We currently have 171 Fish and Wildlife Police Officer (FWO) positions deployed statewide to meet this mission.

Our Officers are fully commissioned, general-authority peace officers who enforce all Washington State laws (including criminal code, traffic laws, etc.), fish and wildlife regulations, and specific federal regulations.

Area Information

County: N/A
Population: N/A
# of Staff: 171

Hiring Status

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer has 5 vacancies.

*** NEW *** New Fish & Wildlife Officer testing standard is set for 75% or better for the LEO written exam. ***NEW***

Hiring Statusas of 9/20/2023:

We are currently hiring and will interview lateral applicants as they apply through PST.  Make sure that your Personal History Statement is complete (following all directions on each page and detailed) when submitted, within seven (7) days of testing. Additionally, we request you submit a one (1) page cover letter, uploaded to your PST profile as soon as your testing is completed. This cover letter should address the following:

- Why are you a good fit for a Fish & Wildlife Officer career?

- What are your outdoor hobbies?

- In what capacity have you participated in a team environment (i.e. sports, work, etc.)?

Salary Information

Fish and Wildlife Lateral Officer: $6,275.00 - $8,220.00 per month, based on experience. 

- Plus Education Incentive (Associates = 2%, Bachelors = 4%)

- Plus 10% Assignment Pay (Training Completion)

- Plus Longevity Pay (Starts at 5 Years)

Benefit Information

Benefits include a flexible work schedule, 10% assignment pay, education incentives, paid vacation and sick leave, military leave, 11 paid holidays, excellent health, life, and long term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and a state retirement plan (LEOFF 2).

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required

PST Written Test Passing Score = 75% or Better

LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) Yes, required

Your physical ability test must be completed 180 days (~6 months) before or after your passing written exam.

Minimum Age 21
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult None.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile None.
Ability to Read & Write the English Language

Multi-lingual applicants that are also fluent reading and writing English are encouraged to apply. WDFW is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Vision Requirements 20/40 (CORRECTED OR UNCORRECTED)
College Requirement No
Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certification Current Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC) commission or equivalent
Prior Experience Requirement Three years full time law enforcement experience.
Current Hiring Status
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We only consider the most recent score
Request/Access Scores AS-NEEDED

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Automatic DUI within five years. Also includes reduced charges (e.g. negligent driving).
Automatic Pattern of traffic violations and/or auto accidents in the past five years or while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Potential Applicant's driving record.
Drug Usage
Automatic Any use of marijuana in the last 12 months.
Automatic Illegal drug use other than marijuana in the last 3 years.
Automatic Illegal drug use while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Automatic Manufacture, sale, transporting for sale, or facilitating the sale of illegal drugs (unless under 21 at the time AND the act occurred more than 10 years from the date of application).
Potential

Misuse of prescription drugs, unless there was an immediate, emergency medical circumstance to justify the use of a prescription-controlled substance not prescribed to the person.

Potential Pattern or History of drug use.
Potential Illegal drug use while serving in the military.
Potential

Note:

Illegal drugs are those controlled substances listed in drug schedules 1-5 derived from RCW 69.50.204, RCW 69.50.206, RCW 69.50.208, RCW 69.50.210 and RCW 69.50.212.

Possession is defined as having actual physical control of any illegal (non-prescribed) drug for personal use or otherwise.

Use is defined as trying, testing, or experimenting, which includes, but is not limited to tasting, smoking, injecting, absorbing, sniffing, or inhaling.

Criminal Activity
Automatic Any felony conviction.
Automatic Any criminal conviction while employed as a criminal justice professional.
Automatic Conviction for any crime under a domestic violence statute.
Potential Adult misdemeanor convictions.
Potential Recent or pattern of Fish and Wildlife and/or natural resource violations.
Employment
Automatic Dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from the United States armed forces.
Automatic

Falsification of an application, personal history questionnaire, forms or any other part of the hiring process.

Automatic

Revocation or denial of any Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC)/Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified status, or suspension of current CJTC/POST certified status.

Potential

Law enforcement applicants involved in open administrative investigations or inquiries.

Potential

Any termination, or resignation in lieu of termination, from a law enforcement agency, or other form of employment.

Potential

Patterns of substandard employment performance and/or disciplinary actions..

Potential Civil litigation while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Financial
Automatic

Not in compliance with income tax or child support payments at the time of application.

Potential

Failing to pay financial obligations; accounts in collections, garnishment of wages, civil litigation (bankruptcy), etc.

Other
Automatic Any conduct or pattern of behavior that would tend to disrupt, diminish or otherwise jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession.
Automatic

Candidates with any tattoos that are deemed offensive may be disqualified. Visible tattoos will be evaluated by the appointing authority or designee on a case-by-case basis.

Potential

Visible piercings will be evaluated by the appointing authority and shall not be offensive or indecent in nature.

Potential

Incomplete Personal History Statement (PHS), or inaccurate/outdated information provided in PHS.

Contact Information

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer

1111 Washington ST SE
Olympia, WA 98501-1091 N/A County
360-742-6905

Website
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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
PAT: Yes, required


Other Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife positions

Fish and Wildlife Officer
Communications Officer/Dispatcher