The application period deadline for the next Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Academy is fast approaching.

The LDWF Enforcement Division is seeking qualified candidates for the 38th Enforcement Academy class, scheduled to start at the end of March 2026. The closing date for applications to be accepted for the “Wildlife Enforcement Cadet” position is this Monday, Dec. 22.

This Enforcement Academy will be a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) hybrid academy class, meaning that both qualified POST-certified and non-POST-certified candidates can apply.

Applicants can apply for the job title “Wildlife Enforcement Cadet” on the Louisiana Civil Service website at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/5149281/wildlife-enforcement-cadet?keywords=wildlife&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs.

The hybrid Enforcement Academy will conduct the conservation law portion of the training at the beginning of the academy for all cadets, followed by the POST training at the end of the academy for non-POST-certified cadets.

The Louisiana POST-certified cadets will finish their cadet academy training in approximately 14 weeks, and non-Louisiana POST-certified cadets will finish their cadet academy training in approximately 22-24 weeks.

For applicants who are not exempt from the Protective Services Exam (PSE) Series 2100 Exam, a PSE 2100 score of 77 or higher is required to be eligible for the next academy. A PSE 2100 score of 77 or higher is valid for two years. In order to schedule the PSE 2100 civil service exam, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/3147666/2100-protective-services-exam-pse.

Minimum qualifications for this LDWF Enforcement Academy include:

Two years of law enforcement experience as a POST-certified peace officer commissioned with the power of arrest; or

An associate’s degree from a technical college or completion of a two-year program at a vocational or technical school; or

Three years of continuous active military service (all Military Occupational Specialties apply).

Experience Substitution:
Every 30-semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Once the academy begins, the cadets will train at the department’s training facility located at the Waddill Training and Emergency Response Complex in Baton Rouge, La. Successful completion of intensive physical and academic training is required to graduate.

At the academy, cadets train to enforce the state's recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws, and general law enforcement work on the state's many wildlife management areas.

For more information on becoming an LDWF enforcement agent, please visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/become-an-agent.