Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

Objectives

• To protect refuge visitors and employees from disturbance or harm by others.
• To assist visitors in understanding refuge laws, regulations, and the reasons for them.
• To enhance the management and protection of fish and wildlife resources on refuges.
• To ensure the legally prescribed, equitable use of fish and wildlife resources on refuges.
• To obtain compliance with laws and regulations necessary for the proper administration, management, and protection of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Training

Refuge officers are commissioned law enforcement officers. You are required to carry firearms and other defensive equipment; therefore, you must be at least 18 years old, and physically and emotionally fit.

A 2- or 4-year degree in natural resources conservation, criminal justice, or a related field is desirable, although applicable experience may be substituted for education.

Needless to say, you must like working outdoors in all kinds of weather! You also must enjoy working with people, because most of your job will consist of contacting and interacting with refuge visitors, neighbors, and other employees.