LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Refuge Officers are Federal conservation officers of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service who have challenging and rewarding careers. They are commissioned and uniformed law enforcement officers who enforce Federal wildlife laws on agency owned lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System and throughout the United States. 

Refuge Officers are charged with protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat, protecting Service facilities, and ensuring employee and visitor safety.  This is accomplished by Refuge Officers performing the full range of law enforcement duties including patrols, surveillance, investigations, apprehensions, seizures and arrests, and interaction with the judicial system.  Refuge Officers often work with other Federal, Tribal, State and local law enforcement agencies that have overlapping jurisdiction within and adjacent to the Refuge System. 

1. Where do Refuge Officers Work?
2. What do Refuge Officers do?
3. How do I become a Refuge Officer?
4. Are there any special requirements?
5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?
6. What benefits do Refuge Officers earn?

1. Where do Refuge Officers Work?

Refuge Officers conduct regular and recurring patrols on Service lands and waters such as National Wildlife Refuges, Waterfowl Management Areas, Wetland Management Districts and other field stations.  The National Wildlife Refuge System has grown to about 97 million acres of strategically located habitats in all 50 states and U.S. Territories. There are 548 refuges and 37 wetland management districts which contain thousands of Waterfowl Production Areas.  It is the only network of Federal lands devoted specifically to wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation. 

Most of the work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather and climatic conditions on land and/or on the water. The work is performed at various hours of the day or night and for prolonged periods during emergency situations. Long periods of surveillance work may be required in cramped or unpleasant locations and under unpleasant conditions.  Due to the nature of the work, Refuge Officers may be assigned to variable work schedules including shift work, weekends, and holidays.

2. What do Refuge Officers do?

Refuge law enforcement officers investigate wildlife crimes, habitat destruction, and the unlawful commercial exploitation of wildlife and enforce wildlife protection laws.  The work includes:

• protecting wildlife resources, the visiting public, agency employees and agency owned facilities
• enforcing federal migratory game bird hunting regulations and working with state agencies to protect other game species from illegal take, and to preserve legitimate hunting opportunities
• preventing the unlawful commercial exploitation of protected U.S. species
• protecting wildlife from environmental hazards and safeguarding critical habitat for endangered species
• working with other Federal, State, and Tribal counterparts on drug and immigration enforcement on the Nation’s borders
• participating in the National Response Framework to respond to natural disasters and other national emergencies

3. How do I become a Refuge Officer?

Refuge Officer jobs are announced by the Office of Personnel Management on the USAJobs website.  Follow the instructions on the job announcement to apply.  Entry level positions are typically at the GL-5, 7, or 9 level depending on the applicant’s education and experience.   Knowledge of natural sciences, wildlife management, and criminal justice are especially helpful.  Good communication skills and computer literacy are useful. 

4. Are there any special requirements?

Refuge Officers must have a valid state driver’s license and be able to operate a variety of government-owned vehicles.  Experience or training in the operation of all-terrain vehicles, boats, and other water craft may also be necessary. 

Other special requirements are:

• applicants must be U.S. citizens
• applicants must be at least 21 years of age (minimum entry age requirement)
• applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday (maximum entry age requirement)
• at the GS-5 level, either a college degree or a high school diploma plus one year of specialized work experience at the GS-4 level is required
• must have a valid state driver’s license
• medical, psychological, and drug screening is required prior to employment
• physical fitness screening is required prior to employment
• periodic medical and physical fitness screening is conducted during employment
• employee is subject to random drug testing during employment
• a critical-sensitive level background investigation, with a favorable adjudication, is required prior to appointment
• an applicant must be able to possess firearms under the terms of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9))
• wearing the official Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required
• employee is required to meet minimum firearms qualification standards regularly

5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?

All new Refuge Officers will complete the required law enforcement training which includes:

• the 18-week basic Land Management Police Training (LMPT) academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia
• the 2-week Refuge Officer Basic School (ROBS) conducted at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia
• the 10-week Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) conducted at selected field training station locations

Refuge Officers must maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid certification.  Annual “in-service” training programs are required to enhance job skills and to review regulatory and procedural changes.   Other formal agency sponsored training is also available.

Career ladders for Refuge Officers in the field reach the GL-9 level. GL-11 supervisory positions are available at some field stations.  Upper level career positions include GS-11/12 Zone Officer and GS-13 Regional Chief.  Service Headquarters staff positions include GS-12/13 LE Specialists, GS-14 Branch Chiefs, and GS-15 National Chief.  Refuge Officers have opportunities to work on special enforcement task forces and to perform short- term assignments at regional offices and the national headquarters office.

6. What benefits do Refuge Officers earn?

Refuge Officers enjoy all of the benefits of Federal employment.  They are covered under the enhanced annuity retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c). Retirement benefits are available to Refuge Officers with 20 years of Federal law enforcement service at age 50, and retirement becomes mandatory at age 57.  Prior Federal civilian or military service is creditable.  Premium pay is earned when work is required for extended shifts, nights, Sundays and holidays.  Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) is available in many locations. Workers compensation is provided for work related injury or illness.  Locality pay may be available in certain areas. Annual leave is accrued at the rate of 13 to 26 days per year, based on length of employment.  Benefits also include 13 days of paid sick leave earned per year; basic life insurance coverage with low-cost options for additional coverage; and opportunities to participate in a variety of reasonably priced group health insurance plans including long term care.  There are 10 paid Federal holidays per year.

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