The Employment Process

Background Investigation

An applicant may not have been convicted of any crime, for which the punishment has been imprisonment in a federal or state prison, nor shall he/she have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for the law.  Each applicant must successfully pass a polygraph examination. The polygraph examination will consist of a series of questions dealing with substance abuse and/or criminal activity.

Physical Skills

An applicant must pass a physical agility test demonstrating physical skills, which may be used in the performance of duties as a Conservation Ranger.  The physical agility test consists of the following events: ¾ mile run, ¾ mile obstacle run, and 50-yard fully clothed swim.

Oral Interview

Each candidate must compete for current vacancies before a panel of experienced Conservation Rangers.  The panel of Rangers will ask each candidate a series of structured questions to determine the applicant’s experience and knowledge in the areas of hunting, fishing, boating, and related outdoor activities.  The applicant’s appearance, demeanor, verbal skills, and ability to make sound judgments will also be assessed during the interview.

Medical Examination, Drug Screening, and Psychological Evaluation

All applicants must successfully pass a thorough medical examination by a licensed physician.  All medical standards must be met in the areas of vision, hearing, ENT, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, rectal, hernia, genital/urinary, back and neck, extremities, nervous system, emotional stability, and laboratory analysis.  For a complete description of the above medical standards, contact the Department of Natural Resources’ Training Academy at (478) 993-4540 or (478) 993-4545.
 

Medical Standards:

• Vision: minimum distant vision of 20/60 correctable to 20/40 in each eye.
• Hearing: hearing loss not greater than 24dBA average of 500, 1000 and 2000 frequencies in the better ear.
• Information about additional standards is available upon request.