Benefits

Every day, our conservation wardens go above and beyond to protect Wisconsin's natural resources and the people who use and depend on them. We're proud of our wardens, their accomplishments and our agency's legacy. But what does the Conservation Warden Service do to take care of our staff?

Wardens Receive The Following Benefits

• Compensation
  Conservation warden pay ranges from $29.00 to $42.00 per hour. Starting pay may be adjusted for successful candidates with prior full-time law enforcement experience.

  Conservation warden pay scale progressions occur every year between years one and seven.

  Years of Service	Hourly Wage
  0	$29.00
  1	$30.50
  2	$32.00
  3	$34.00
  4	$36.00
  5	$38.00
  6	$40.00
  7	$42.00

  Existing State of Wisconsin employees who are currently performing similar duties in a counterpart position may be eligible to maintain a higher rate of pay upon hire. Conservation wardens are also eligible for night and weekend differential, discretionary merit compensation, overtime pay, standby pay and general wage adjustments implemented by the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

• Unmatched Independence

  Forget the cubicle. The office of a conservation warden is unlike any other. We work in the woods, on the water and in our trucks to get great things done. Wardens often work alone, making their own decisions and investigating their own cases. Do you want to be in the driver's seat?

• Flexibility And Variety

  Conservation warden schedules include a combination of set shifts and flexible days, giving them the ability to be where they need to be when the work needs to be done. Their work hours vary throughout the year, depending on the needs of their station, investigations, emergencies, natural disasters, special events, meetings and trainings.

• Professional Development

  Ongoing training is not just an opportunity – it's a necessity for our wardens. You'll have chances to participate in advanced training on everything from internet investigations to tactical boat operations and leadership development.

• Got Potential?

  Interested in new challenges and responsibilities? The Wisconsin Conservation Warden Service provides exciting opportunities for specialization and promotion. These include (but aren't limited to) training other wardens as a field training officer or tactical training instructor, participating on special teams such as our remotely operated underwater vehicle team, unmanned aerial system team or tactical teams, or promoting to a recreational warden, administrative warden, investigator or supervisory position.

• The Equipment To Get The Job Done

  All conservation wardens are assigned a take-home, state-owned vehicle for work use and have access to boats, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles for use during patrols. This gives wardens the unique flexibility to respond to calls for service by simply stepping out of their front door – no more commuting to work.

• A Healthy And Balanced Life

  Conservation wardens are provided quality state benefits, including well-deserved time off from a busy work schedule. Benefits also include various healthcare coverage options, sick leave, life insurance, retirement and investment plans. The fringe benefits offered to State of Wisconsin employees are a significant and valuable part of an individual's compensation package.

• You've Earned It

  Conservation warden schedules often include working long hours and can be unpredictable. Conservation wardens earn competitive wages and are eligible to earn overtime and add-on pay for nights and weekends worked. We know it takes more than a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule to protect our state's natural resources, and we've got you covered.

• Veteran Benefits

  The Wisconsin DNR's Conservation Warden training program is approved for the GI Bill®. If hired, you may be eligible to use your GI Bill Benefits for On-the-Job Training.

• Voluntary Relocations

  Conservation wardens are stationed all over the state of Wisconsin. As wardens retire, are promoted or leave the agency, workstations may become vacant. Depending on department needs, existing warden staff are often given the opportunity to voluntarily relocate to vacant stations in other parts of the state. This process is seniority-based and typically occurs every year.

Want to know when wardens are recruiting and hiring? Sign up to receive our newsletter.