Essential Functions

The following essential functions were copied directly from the "Becoming a Game Warden" brochure provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.

• Working alone at night in isolated parts of a county without back-up.
• Operating vessels in hazardous waters that include rivers. impoundments, and coastal waters often alone in inclement weather during the hours of darkness.
• Be able to present interviews for TV, radio, and other media outlets concerning DNR functions and operations.
• Providing information & education classes to students on hunter education and boating safety issues.
• Sometimes having to make repairs to assigned equipment in inclement weather without any assistance or aid.
• Provide assistance to other Law Enforcement agencies with traffic accidents, fatalities, domestic violence, search warrants, drug violations, civil disturbances, stakeouts, and environmental disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes for extended time frames. (Hurricane Katrina).
• Coordinate search and rescue operations on land and the recovery of drowning victims on the water. Must b e able to deal with deceased victims.
• Remain in an "on call" duty status when scheduled in service.
• Maintain proficiency in the use of firearms and defensive tactics.
• Deal with landowner disputes who sometimes criticize you and the department.
• Enforce laws and regulations dealing specifically with the general public's leisure time.
• You will also be required to operate ATVs in isolated areas.
• You will be required to fly areas in a departmental aircraft as an observer for the pilot.
• Sometimes detached to a regional office for office duty which may include cutting grass, operating a weed eater, edger, blower, forklift, etc. In addition, you may have to assist with electrical and carpentry tasks, minor vehicle & boat repairs, answering telephones, and selling licenses to walk-in customers.