PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION

SELECTION, TRAINING AND DUTIES OF A DEPUTY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICER

DEPUTY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICERS

... are the local representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Individuals selected for these positions serve in a volunteer capacity and perform their duties under the supervision of a District Wildlife Conservation Officer. Deputies are not covered by the Pennsylvania Civil Service Act nor the Commonwealth's Collective Bargaining Act. Deputies do not receive regular salary or wages. They may receive compensation at a Commission approved per diem rate, in lieu of wages and expenses on certain approved days, but history has clearly shown that, in the performance of their duties, deputies spend far more money than they make..

Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers are recruited locally on an as needed basis. Applicants for this position must be in good physical condition, have a good knowledge of hunting trapping, and outdoor activities, and be able to maintain a good working relationship with fellow officers and the public.

Applicants are appointed to the position of Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers after successfully completing a written examination and a basic training/orientation program.

Additionally, persons selected to the position must meet the following basic requirements and qualifications.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

 RESIDENCE:

Applicant must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Pennsylvania. Applicant must have resided in the Commonwealth for at least one year prior to application. Persons appointed as Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers shall be assigned to the district in which they reside.

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

High School graduate or GED equivalent certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Must be knowledgeable of hunting and trapping practices.

AGE:

Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of examination.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Appointment to the position of Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer is conditional upon passing medical, hearing, physical, strength and agility tests. Must be able to read at least 20/70 with the better eye and 20/200 with the poorer eye without corrective lenses, and at least 20/70 with the better eye and 20/40 with the poorer eye with corrective lenses. Additionally all teeth, normally visible, shall be present with evidence of healthy gums and teeth, or have adequate replacements. Failure to meet acceptable fitness standards as established by he Commission shall disqualify individuals for selection as a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer. Physical examination report forms shall be furnished by the Commission. Doctor's fees shall be at the expense of the applicant.

GENERAL LIMITATIONS:

Persons who, by license or permit are authorized by the Commission to function in one of the following categories may not hold the position of Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer:

Hunting License Issuing Agent, Menagerie, Regulated Hunting Grounds operator, Wildlife Pest Control, Fur Dealers, Taxidermy, Propagation Permittee, Rehabilitator or Exotic Wildlife Dealer

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
• Accrue 20 hours of ride-along time with a Wildlife Conservation Officer prior to entrance exam.
• Must pass a written entrance examination administered by the Game Commission attaining a minimum score of 70%.
• Attain a minimum score of 80% on a certification exam, after completing training school and an extension course.
• A character investigation will be conducted on all applicants. The investigation will be conducted by the officer in charge of the district where the applicant resides. The investigation results along with the application, shall be submitted on supplied forms. Any person who has had his or her hunting or trapping privileges revoked may not apply until two (2) years after revocation has ended. Anyone convicted of a Summary violation (except minor traffic violations) within the poor year, or of a misdemeanor within the prior three (3) years or a felony at anytime shall not be considered for appointment. Persons with a misdemeanor arrest or conviction in their background will be considered by a board of review on a case-by-case basis.

TRAINING:

All applicants who successfully complete the written examination shall complete a basic training/orientation program prior to appointment. Basic training Is conducted at the Game Commission's Ross Leffler School of Conservation which is located in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania. Initial basic training involves approximately 75 hours of training. After completing the basic training and being appointed to the position of Deputy Wildlife Conservation officer, Deputies must accrue 80 hours of on-the-job training with the Wildlife Conservation Officer during the probationary year. From that point on, all Deputies are required to attend the following in-service training sessions annually:

• At least four (4) district training sessions
• Two (2) firearms qualification shoots
• Eight (8) hours Defensive Tactic Training
• Legal updates training
• Verbal Communication Skills Training.

District training sessions cover such topics as Law Enforcement Methods and Techniques; Wildlife Law and Regulations: Principles of Wildlife Management, Land Management Practices: Conservation Education: Public Relations; Hazardous Materials/Employee Right-to-Know.

DUTIES:

Deputy Wildlife Conservation officers should be prepared to function in all phases of the Game Commission's activity and assume the powers as authorized by the Game and Wildlife Code subject to limitations as established by Commission Policy or Administrative Directives.