How do I become a Wildlife Enforcement Officer?
We appreciate your interest in becoming a wildlife officer with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. All candidates must pass extensive background and psychological screening, and complete a vigorous 19-week training academy before receiving a field assignment.
Applicant requirements:
- Be at least 20 years old at the time of final exam.
- Be a high school graduate (or GED).
- Never been charged with a felony; or charged with specific misdemeanors within five years of date of application.
- Be willing to relocate anywhere in North Carolina (which means no home county assignments for some time).
Required physical capabilities:
In additional to being in an excellent physical condition, candidates must meet vision, hearing and other sensory perception standards. Maintaining a healthy physical regimen is a required part of job performance upon becoming a wildlife officer.
The application process:
Applications are only accepted when there is a need for more wildlife officers and a recruit training academy has been scheduled. Anyone interested in applying should call (919) 707-0030 in June to be advised if applications will be accepted during July and August. Typically 350 to 500 applications are received, while typical class size is 12 to 18 recruits. This means the selection process is highly competitive.
Recruit Training Academy and field assignments:
The majority of 19 weeks of basic training is held at the North Carolina Justice Academy in Salemburg. Recruits are housed in dorms with fellow recruits; training is structured like a military boot camp (very strict, with a 5:30 a.m. physical training every morning). Training typically begins in late March with graduation typically in late July.
Graduates are placed with a veteran wildlife officer for at least six months of on-the-job training. Upon completion of on-the-job training, a permanent assignment is made. This permanent assignment stands until the officer requests and is granted a lateral transfer or is promoted.
Additional recommendations:
- While not required, criminal justice courses at the university or community college level are recommended prior to application.
- A thorough knowledge of fish and wildlife species native to North Carolina is preferred.
- Prior Basic Law Enforcement Training certification isn’t necessary (recruits receive BLET curriculum mandated by the Dept. of Justice, Training Standards Division during the Training Academy).
- It is strongly recommended for candidates to maintain a physical training routine while awaiting application opportunity.