Deputy Game Warden - 2027 Summer Positions

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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.

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.

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.

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. 

If you are unable to apply online, Direct Hire Application forms can be obtained by accessing the NRSC website at: https://www.maine.gov/nrsc/jobs/application.shtml

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. People 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.  

• Direct hire application completely filled out
• Proof of successful completion of PFT from MCJA
• Supplemental Qualification questions, copy of driver's license, licensing/registration/certification (if applicable), and copies of birth certificate and post-secondary transcripts, etc. must be sent to:

Applications must be postmarked by 5:00 pm, December 21, 2026!

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED