Career Opportunity Bulletin

DEPUTY GAME WARDEN

5 Positions
(ACTING) SEASONAL INTERMITTENT

CODE:  9510        PAY GRADE: 12   PAY RATE:  $16.38 - $20.25 Per Hour

 OPENING DATE:  November 01, 2024                           CLOSING DATE:  December 20, 2024

GENERAL INFORMATION: 

These positions are full time summer positions, from May 09, 2025, to the end of August 2025, as a Deputy Game Warden assigned to specific bodies of water to enforce recreational boating rules and regulations. Deputies will be assigned to the Sebago Lakes Region, Belgrade Lakes Region or Moosehead Lake Region depending on operational need. It will be expected that these Deputy Game Wardens will work in state issued watercraft, patrolling specific bodies of water. The Deputy’s primary mission will include, educating the boating public, handing out department-sponsored literature, issuing warnings and summonses for boating violations. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

This is certified, uniformed, law enforcement work as a member of the Maine Warden Service, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, under the direct supervision of Warden Service Personnel, protecting inland fish and wildlife resources and the safety of the public. The Deputy Game Warden’s work includes:

• Patrolling assigned lake or lakes. Patrolling is usually done alone in areas where there is a concentration of boats and boating activity. While on patrol, Deputy Wardens will inspect boats for compliance with recreational boating rules and regulations. Patrol may be conducted on foot or by truck, boat, or canoe.
• Issuing warnings and summonses, primarily on lakes, rivers and other bodies of water where recreational boating is occurring. In addition to enforcing recreational boating safety rules and regulations, Deputy Wardens are empowered to enforce fish and wildlife, recreation, and environmental laws under the direction of certain Warden personnel.

To be a successful Deputy Maine Game Warden, an individual must possess knowledge of wildlife, hunting, fishing, trapping, and boat operation; a strong desire to work in law enforcement; self initiative; and a willingness to work out-of-doors in adverse weather conditions, oftentimes without assistance. In all cases, Deputy Wardens seek to promote good public relations and compliance with all fish and wildlife regulations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: In order to qualify, you must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• be at least 21 years old -OR- can be only 20 years old and have completed an associate degree or 60 credit hours of post-secondary education by May 30, 2025.
• have successfully passed the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Test within a year of submitting application; (see below for scheduling)
• have or be able to obtain a valid Maine Class C motor vehicle operator’s license.
• be willing to locate anywhere within the State of Maine.
• be willing to locate for the summer to Naples or Greenville at a state facility or to Belgrade lakes area with no state housing.

Important notes: YOU MUST ATTACH THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR DIRECT HIRE APPLICATION:

*     Proof of age (copy of birth certificate or driver’s license).

*     a copy of your high school diploma or GED certificate.

*     a letter from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy showing your ALERT examination score.

*     a letter from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy showing your Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Test results (date of test must be within a year of the closing date of this posting).

*     Answers to Supplemental Qualifications form.

Note: If you are only age 20, you must attach within the application proof of your Associates Degree or completed 60 credit hours of post-secondary education.

FAILURE TO PROVIDE ANY OF THESE MATERIALS WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

TESTING AND EVALUATION PROCESS:

Because of the responsibilities and authority of a Deputy Game Warden, the selection process is extensive and thorough. The following outline summarizes the testing and screening process used to evaluate every applicant for Deputy Game Warden before a hiring decision is made. The Deputy Game Warden application process has changed from past recruitment and the following application and testing process involves multiple evaluation phases. You must successfully complete each phase to proceed to the next.

The Colonel of the Maine Warden Service may waive any portion of this process as he/she sees fit upon consideration of the candidates’ training and experience. 

THE TESTING PROCESS IS AS FOLLOWS: 

1.  PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST:  You must take and pass the Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Test. Or have proof of a valid passing score within the past year good thru December 20, 2024. This may be done by calling (207) 287-5305. The Physical Fitness Test is a Pass/Fail test. It consists of three events: Timed Push-Up Test (on minute); Timed Sit-Up Test (one minute); and 1.5 Mile Run. Testing information and standards for successful completion of the Physical Fitness Test are available by accessing the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s website at www.maine.gov/dps/mcja (click “Attending the Academy”, then click on "Tests", and “Physical Fitness Test”). This information can also be obtained by calling the number listed above.
2. APPLICATION PERIOD: (Nov 01, 2024 – Dec 20, 2024) Applications will only be accepted during this period. Applications postmarked after this period will be denied.
3. APPLICATION EVALUATION: (during the application period) Applications are reviewed to ensure that each applicant meets the minimum requirements defined in this Bulletin.  Applicants MUST answer all Supplemental Questions (see below) outlined in this posting and attach them to the Application. Any applicants who do not meet these requirements are disqualified from further consideration.

 Supplemental Qualification Questions are at the end of this posting.

    4. GAME WARDEN EXAM PROCESS: All applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be scheduled to take the following exams. No rescheduling or retesting will be allowed.     The Exams will consist of three phases, a multiple-choice written exam along with an oral board examination and written essay. Failure of any phase of these exams constitutes a failure   of the entire hiring process.

Written Exam - The questions (multiple-choice) fall within the following categories: Vocabulary, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, and Math; Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, and Equipment; Mammals, Fish, and Birds of Maine; Watercraft, Snowmobiles, and All-Terrain Vehicles; and General Knowledge. All Exams will be scored, and the top candidates will be scheduled for the next phase (a designated cut off score will be determined). 

Oral Board – The Oral Board is administered by a board of three members of the Maine Warden Service. Candidates will be rated in the following categories. Commitment/Independence; Judgment/Logic; Communication Skills; Applied Knowledge; Decision Making/Decisiveness; and Tact and Diplomacy.  

Written Essay – The Essay will be evaluated using the following criteria: how well the writer develops a position on the question; appropriate use of examples and reason to support their position; organization, coherence, and logical progression of ideas; facility with choice of language and vocabulary; variety of sentence structure; and correct use of grammar, spelling and mechanics. The Essay will be given a numerical score using a 12-point system. A cut off score will be determined as the minimum criteria for passing. Candidates will have the option to either type or handwrite their Essay. The Essay will be scored using a nationally recognized, holistic scoring procedure. There is no right or wrong answer. 

Failure to pass either the Written Exam or Written Essay or Oral Board will constitute a failure for the entire hiring process.

FINAL SCREENING PROCESS

After a conditional offer of employment is made, the Maine Warden Service will conduct an extensive background investigation concerning the applicant, including military service, education, motor vehicle record, criminal history record, financial record, work history, and references. A screening committee will review the results for information that would eliminate the candidate from further consideration.  

An applicant will automatically be eliminated if he/she:

1. Has committed any crime classified in Maine law as a Class A, Class B, or Class C crime (any felony).
2. Has been found guilty of any crime classified in Maine law as a Class D crime (a Class D crime is a misdemeanor with a maximum term of imprisonment of 364 days). A person may make application to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Board of Trustees for a waiver of this provision. Persons with questions regarding this provision should contact the Office of the Game Warden Colonel at 207-287-2766.
3. Has an extensive record of motor vehicle or fish and wildlife law violations.
4. Has convictions for Murder, Class A, B, C, or D crime, or convictions for any violation of the Maine Criminal Code, Chapters 15, 19, 25, or 45 or a conviction for any equivalent crime in another jurisdiction outside the State of Maine. A person may make application to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Board of Trustees for a waiver of this provision.
5. Has engaged in any conduct that is penalized in this state as Murder, Class A, B, C, or D crime, or any provision of the Maine Criminal Code, Chapters 15, 19, 25, or 45; or engaged in such conduct in another jurisdiction outside the State of Maine, unless that conduct is not punishable as a crime under the laws of that jurisdiction. A person may make application to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Board of Trustees for a waiver of this provision.
6. Has convictions for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor during the six-year period prior to application to the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program or have been adjudicated of committing the administrative offense of operating a vehicle under the age of 21 with greater than a 0.00 blood alcohol content during the six-year period prior to application to the Academy Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. A person may make application to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Board of Trustees for a waiver of this provision.
7. Has been found guilty of conduct specified in subparagraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 in another state of jurisdiction.
8. Has ingested or been injected with or used a hallucinogenic drug.
9. Has illegally sold scheduled drugs or drugs which require a prescription.
10. Has engaged in illegal drug use beyond what is considered as experimentation.
11. Are currently abusing drugs or alcohol.
12. Falsified, misrepresents, or omits any information when interviewed, during the background investigation, polygraph examination, or on the pre-polygraph questionnaire.

Upon completion of the background investigation, viable candidates will be scheduled for a polygraph examination. The results of the background investigation and polygraph examination will then be reviewed by a screening committee to determine if the candidate is eligible to continue. This determination will be reached by weighing all the information received.

Candidates successfully completing the background investigation and polygraph examination will be scheduled for an interview with the Colonel of the Maine Warden Service. Final selection will be based on the Colonel’s interview along with the successful completion of a medical and psychological assessment followed by the swim test.  

GAME WARDEN SWIM TEST: (Test will only be given to final candidates, date to be announced)

Game Wardens must be able to swim. Candidates will be wearing a bathing suit which contains no floatation material such as closed cell foam, etc., and given rubber boots (appropriately sized) to put on with no socks (ear plugs and swimming goggles may be worn).

The Swim Test is comprised of 4 parts.  This is a Pass/Fail test.

1. Candidates will jump into the water and remove the boots. When a person makes an unplanned fall into the water, boots become saturated and may serve as an anchor making it almost impossible to swim.  Therefore, they need to be removed. Candidates will immediately begin treading water in the vertical position for 15 minutes with their head out of the water. A horizontal back float is not allowed.
2. Game Wardens spend a good portion of time in boats; it is possible you may capsize some distance from shore. The ability to tread water may allow you to survive long enough to self-rescue or aid others.
3. Without exiting the pool candidates will swim 200 yards continuously. Surface swim any forward stroke or style without stopping, (may be under during turns at each pool side). The monitor will require you to tag each end of the pool as you reach it. At no time after entering the water may you hang on to the side or touch the bottom of the pool. 200-yard swim must be completed within 10 minutes.
4. Candidates will exit the pool and complete a headfirst surface dive from the side of the pool into the deep end to retrieve one object from the pool bottom. After retrieving the object, swimmers will surface; tread water for 2 minutes while holding the object out of the water with either hand. After two minutes the swimmer will swim back to the bottom of pool to retrieve a second object. Pool depth will not exceed 12 feet. (To remove risk of ear trauma from pressure)  

New Deputy Game Wardens are required to attend and successfully complete the Maine Criminal Justice Academy pre-service Basic Law Enforcement Training course.

NOTE TO CURRENTLY CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS:

Candidates selected for an initial appointment may be exempted from attending the MCJA'S basic course at the discretion of the Colonel of the Maine Warden Service if they:

1. are certified, full-time law enforcement officers, or part time officers in Maine (or are able to obtain a waiver of basic law enforcement training from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Board of Trustees), and
2. Have attained the 50^th percentile on each component of the MCJA Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Test.

All other selected applicants will be required to attend and successfully complete this course of instruction 

NOTE: Each component of the Deputy Game Warden examination process must be completed successfully. Failure to successfully complete a component (or portion of a component) will result in disqualification from further consideration.

The Bureau of Human Resources reserves the right to use any other selection devices necessary to identify those candidates who are most qualified.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS FORM must be completed and attached to the Direct Hire Application.

DEPUTY GAME WARDEN

HIRING PROCESS SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS FORM

These questions must ALL be answered and submitted with your Direct Hire Application material.

Next to each listed Ability/Experience please check only one box that describes your skill level.

• NO EXPERIENCE = no experience
• EDUCATION = completed coursework or classes in this area
• NOVICE = some training and experience but would need basic level training to become proficient
• COMPETENT/EXPERIENCED = Skilled in this area and fully capable of applying this skill in the workplace
• EXPERT = In-depth knowledge that is used weekly as appropriate. Capable of acting as a technical resource to other staff.

                                                             SKILL LEVELS (check only one box for each Ability/Experience)

ABILITY / EXPERIENCE

NO EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

NOVICE

COMPETENT/ EXPERIENCED

EXPERT

Experience in law enforcement

Experience hunting

Experience trapping

Experience with freshwater fishing

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

Experience using various types of firearms

Experience operating motorized watercraft

Experience in paddle boat sports

Experience operating snowmobiles

Experience in operating ATV’s

Experience in over land navigation

Computer Experience

Applicant’s name _____________________________________ Date ______________

Applicants Signature __________________________________________

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays (AFTER 90 days of employment), 12 days of sick leave (AFTER 90 days of employment), and 3+ weeks of vacation leave (AFTER 90 days of employment) annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100%of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes at least 19.10% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefitsfor State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work.  Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness.  We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.