How to Become a Game Warden in New York
An ECO (an environment conservation officer) is responsible for protecting and conserving the environment. An ECO enforces fish and wildlife laws. There are strenuous requirements for becoming an ECO. In New York, there are three phases to becoming a full-fledged environment conservation officer. Once you become a full-fledged ECO, you receive an increase in pay. As of July 2011, the salary for a full-fledged environmental conservation officer was $48,359.
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Instructions
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Obtain an associate or bachelor's degree, along with 18 hours of additional qualifying college courses. The 18 extra credit hours must come from a combination of any of the following courses: natural resource conservation, environmental studies, natural or physical science, and criminal justice.
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Gain one year of relevant job experience. This experience can come from being a police officer or working in the field of freshwater science, marine science or wildlife science. Other qualifying experience includes environmental engineering or environmental technology. If you do not have any of the aforementioned job experience, you may qualify if you have at least two years of active-duty military service and received an honorable discharge.
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Take and pass the ECO examination. The New York State Department of Civil Service administers this test. To apply for the examination and determine test dates, visit the New York State Department of Civil Service website. Find a link to the website in this article's "Resources" section. There is a fee to take the examination.
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Take and pass the physical ability test, medical examination and background check. You will be notified of the testing dates, times and locations six to eight months before the New York ECO training academy begins.
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Attend the 26-week training academy that is required for all new recruits. Upon starting the academy, you are considered an "ECO Trainee 1." Upon graduating from the academy, you will be appointed as an "ECO Trainee 2."
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Complete two years of service as a New York ECO Trainee 2. At the end of your two years of service, you will be promoted from trainee status to that of an official New York ECO.
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