Game Warden Pilot - Testing Announcement

Position Overview

Location	Bismarck, West Fargo, Minot, Dickinson ND
Salary	5,942-$7,541/mo. hiring range; $5,942 -$9,141 full range
Closing Date	May 27, 2026
Status	Full-time
Type of Recruitment	Internal/External
Notes

Summary of Work

Individual will be required to take and pass all training and requirements necessary to become a licensed North Dakota Peace Officer and successfully complete the Enforcement Division’s Field Training for Warden Pilots. This process is a probationary period and may take up to one year.

Individual will pilot the department Cessna 182 with G1000 Garmin avionics.

They will conduct enforcement, wildlife, fisheries, and administrative flight activities as assigned by supervisors or administration.

Maintain flight proficiency for night and day department operations by flying a minimum of 4 hours per month.

Ensure the enforcement assigned aircraft is in airworthy condition.

Coordinate any aircraft maintenance issues with supervisor or the Chief of Enforcement and the wildlife division pilot/mechanic.

Maintain auxiliary equipment (i.e.

binoculars, cameras, recorders) used in enforcement flight missions.

Provide observation reports to case officers to be contained in the incident report system with the timeline required by policy.

Attend aviation related meetings and or training applicable to the department.

Coordinate with supervisor or the Chief of Enforcement any requests for aviation assistance from other law enforcement agencies.

Individual will also be responsible for enforcing game and fish laws and other related regulations as determined by the Department.

Will normally work alone under varied conditions, some may be adverse, at all hours of the day, night and weekends.

Will be required to perform other duties as assigned in the areas of public relations, education programs, hunter and boat safety, and assisting other divisions in the Department.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a bachelor’s degree (no specific degree identified) or an associate’s degree and a minimum of two year’s work experience in wildlife or law enforcement.

Start date to be determined but tentatively set for August 3, 2026. Must be a licensed North Dakota Peace Officer or be eligible to be licensed. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Must have excellent interpersonal skills in communications and writing. Must be 21 years of age or older. Must not have a record of any felony convictions. The work requires the ability to perform physically demanding tasks involving lifting and carrying large, heavy objects, walking and running over uneven terrain and tolerating adverse weather and other environmental conditions. The applicant must have a commercial pilot’s license for a single engine land with an instrument rating and hold an FAA Class II medical certificate. The work requires day and night flights. A minimum of 500 hours total flying time is required.

Preference will be given for:

Cessna 182 flight hours
Flight time using Garmin G1000
Night flight hours
Experience operating and working in boats
Strong computer skills to prepare required documents and reports

Application Procedures:

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has scheduled an examination to select candidates for the position of game warden pilot.

The test will be given at 9 a.m. Central Time at the following dates/location:

June 2, 2026 – Job Service, Minot, ND
June 3, 2026 – West Fargo Police Department, West Fargo, ND
June 5, 2026 – ND Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, ND

The test will be given at 9 a.m. Mountain Time at the following date/location:

June 4, 2026 – ND Game and Fish Department, Dickinson, ND

By filling out this online application, you are confirming that it is your intent to take the test by indicating on the application the date and location that you will take the test at. If you are unable to take the test at the time specified, do not fill out the application.

Applications must be completed by 11:59 pm on the posted closing date.

Current State employees with access to PeopleSoft can access the job posting through the PeopleSoft Portal.

External applicants can access the job posting by going to the ND State Jobs Openings.

Persons having questions regarding this application or testing process should contact: Chief Warden Scott Winkelman, ND Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501. Telephone: 701-328-6604.

For troubles or questions about applying on the online system, contact Melissa Long at 701-328-6318 and for persons needing accommodation or assistance.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the recruitment and selection process or with an employee’s ability to perform essential duties of the job. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make known any needs for accommodation. Persons needing accommodation or assistance in the testing or interview should contact Chief Warden Scott Winkelman at 701-328-6604. ND Relay Number: 1-800-366-6888.

As employers, the State of North Dakota and political subdivisions prohibit smoking in all places of state and political subdivision employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services, and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.