Deputy Game Warden - 2027 Summer Positions

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

DEPUTY GAME WARDEN

2027 SEASONAL INTERMITTENT POSITIONS

Opening Date: November 06, 2026

Closing Date: End of the day December 21, 2026

Location: Statewide

Position Numbers: Various

Position Type: Seasonal Intermittent

Class Code: 9510

Grade: 12 (Law Enforcement - Special Retirement)

Salary: $17.04 - $22.77 Per Hour

GENERAL INFORMATION :

These positions are full-time summer positions, from May 09, 2027, to the end of August 2027, 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 : 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, 2027.
• •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 ( Please attach in the same place that you submit your resume, cover letter, etc .):

• •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 Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Test results (date of test must be within a year of the closing of this posting).
• •Answers to Supplemental Qualifications form.

Note: If you are only age 20, you must attach within the application (where you submit your resume, proof of age, etc.) proof of your Associate’s Degree or completed 60 credit hours of post-secondary education.

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:

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, 2026. This may be done by calling (207) 877-8000. The Physical Fitness Test is a Pass/Fail test. It consists of three events: Timed Push-Up Test (one 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.

APPLICATION PERIOD: (Nov 06, 2026 – Dec 21, 2026) Applications will only be accepted during this period. Applications postmarked after this period will be denied.

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 (where you submit your resume, proof of age, etc.). Any applicants who do not meet these requirements are disqualified from further consideration.

Supplemental Qualification Questions are at the end of this posting.

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