TPWD Law Enforcement Career Opportunities
Texas Game Warden and Texas State Park Police Officer
Thank you for your interest in a career with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Division.
The application period for the current cadet class will be open Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026. Apply now!
NOTE: It is the responsibility of current applicants to check their status in CAPPS Recruit and to respond timely to e-mail communications from the Department during this selection process.
General Position Description for a Texas Game Warden
After graduation from the Texas Game Warden Training Center and receiving a commission as a State Peace Officer, the Texas Game Warden will perform responsible field enforcement duties involving the enforcement of all provisions of the Parks and Wildlife Code, Texas Penal Code and relevant provisions of other Texas laws, including:
- provide testimony in court and administrative hearings;
- execute and serve all criminal processes resulting from enforcement activities;
- provide public safety and emergency management functions including working in response to natural disasters and in homeland security operations;
- safeguard departmental equipment;
- prepare reports of activities and present programs concerning department activities to the public;
- may conduct investigations of holders of permits and licenses issued by the department;
- maintain contact with landowners, resource users and the general public;
- assist other law enforcement agencies as needed.
General Position Description for a Texas State Park Police Officer
After graduation from the Texas Game Warden Training Center and receiving a commission as a State Peace Officer, the Texas State Park Police Officer will perform responsible field enforcement duties involving the enforcement of all provisions of the Parks and Wildlife Code, Texas Penal Code and relevant provisions of other Texas laws, including:
- conduct proactive patrols
- provide community-based policing
- educate citizens and park visitors
- perform investigations
- conduct search, rescue and recovery operations
- provide testimony in court and administrative hearings;
- execute and serve all criminal processes resulting from enforcement activities;
- provide public safety and emergency management functions including working in response to natural disasters and in homeland security operations;
- safeguard departmental equipment;
- prepare reports of activities and present programs concerning department activities to the public;
- assist other law enforcement agencies as needed.
Working Conditions
Station Assignment: The applicant must be willing and able to accept an assignment anywhere in the State of Texas upon graduation from academy training and commissioning as a Texas Game Warden or Texas State Park Police Officer. Assignments will be made where vacancies exist statewide and shall be made in the best interest of the department. Assignments will be made where vacancies exist statewide and shall be made in the best interest of the department
Work Schedule: The applicant must be willing and able to: work state and federal holidays; work hours other than 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with days off other than Saturday and Sunday; are subject to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cadets may be required to work over 8 hours per day.
Overtime Compensation: Texas Game Wardens and Texas State Park Police are compensated based upon a 40-hour work week in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Work Environment: Law Enforcement cadets, Texas Game Wardens and Texas State Park Police work extensively out-of-doors, during inclement and sometimes hazardous weather conditions, during natural disasters and under other possibly dangerous conditions. At times, personnel are required to work in highly stressful situations that may be hazardous to their health and safety, which could include working with people who are injured, violent, emotionally upset or otherwise pose a danger.
Dress Code: Law Enforcement cadets are required to wear a prescribed uniform and adhere to established dress and grooming standards. Uniforms include equipment such as firearms and other defensive equipment. Commissioned personnel on duty and in uniform will maintain a neat and clean appearance according to the Law Enforcement General Orders to include:
- Hair for both male and female officers in uniform, must be of natural color and in length and style;
- No tattoos from the neck and above, to include any part of the head are allowed. Commissioned personnel shall not wear tattoos, if visible or exposed, that are of an offensive manner or nature, while in uniform.
Residence: Law Enforcement cadets will be required to live at the Texas Game Warden Training Center near Hamilton, for the duration of the training period, approximately 35 weeks. All rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Academy must be followed while in residence.
Emolument: An emolument may be taken from cadets for food services while at the Game Warden Training Center.
Pay and Advancement
All career ladder advancements are based on a combination of longevity, job knowledge, job performance and adherence to agency and division work rules. All salaries are subject to change without notice.
Schedule C Annual Salary Rates
The Texas Legislature has authorized an expanded enforcement program that includes a 50 hour work week.
| Position | Schedule C | Years of Service | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 4 Years | ≥ 4 Years | ≥ 8 Years | ≥ 12 Years | ≥ 16 Years | ≥ 20 Years | ||
| Law Enforcement Cadet | Base Salary Yearly | $51,255 | |||||
| Probationary Game Warden and State Park Police Officer | Base Salary Yearly | $55,441 | |||||
| Game Warden and State Park Police Officer I-VI | Base Salary Yearly | $65,850 | $80,274 | $85,989 | $89,788 | $93,937 | $98,084 |
Salary with Expanded Enforcement Program
| Position | Years of Service | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 4 Years | ≥ 4 Years | ≥ 8 Years | ≥ 12 Years | ≥ 16 Years | ≥ 20 Years | |
| Law Enforcement Cadet | $70,475 | |||||
| Probationary Game Warden and State Park Police Officer | $76,231 | |||||
| Game Warden and State Park Police Officer I-VI | $90,544 | $100,376 | $118,234 | $123,459 | $129,163 | $134,866 |
Certification Pay, Education Pay and Bilingual Pay Amounts
Amount of Certification Pay
The amount of certification pay paid to an eligible employee is based on his or her Commission on Law Enforcement certification level as follows:
- $100 per month for certification at intermediate level
- $200 per month for certification at advanced level
- $300 per month for certification at master level
Amount of Education Pay
The amount of education pay paid to an eligible employee is based on the type of degree held by the employee:
- $100 per month for an associate degree
- $200 per month for a bachelor's degree
- $300 per month for a master's degree
Effective Sept. 1, 2025, an eligible employee may receive both certification pay and education level pay.
Note: Before Sept. 1, 2025, an eligible employee was authorized to receive either certification pay or education pay but not both.
Amount of Bilingual Pay
The amount of bilingual pay paid to an eligible employee is $100 per month.