U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Wildlife

Inspector

Wildlife

Inspector
Stationed at the

Nation’s major

international airports,

ocean ports, and border

crossings, wildlife

inspectors monitor an

annual trade worth

more than $1.4 billion.

They stop illegal

shipments, intercept

smuggled wildlife and

wildlife products, and

help the United States

fulfill its commitment

to global wildlife

conservation.

Wildlife inspectors of

the U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service are 

the Nation’s front-line

defense against the 

illegal wildlife trade—

a criminal enterprise

that threatens 

species worldwide.

These professional

import-export control

officers ensure that

wildlife shipments

comply with U.S. and

international wildlife

protection laws.
Inspectors clear legal imports and

exports, and stop shipments that

violate the law. They make sure that

wildlife imports and exports are

accompanied by the required permits

and licenses, and verify that the

contents of shipments match the

items listed on declaration forms.

They pay special attention to live

wildlife, checking to see that animals

in trade are treated humanely. 

Although inspectors spend most of

their time processing commercial

cargo shipments, they also keep tabs

on international passenger traffic.

Unwary travelers all too often 

return from abroad with illegal

wildlife souvenirs. Many smuggling

rings use human couriers; inspectors

find protected animals hidden in

clothing and stuffed in suitcases 

and handbags. 

Where do inspectors work?

By law, most commercial wildlife

shipments come through 14

“designated ports”—Anchorage,

Alaska; Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore,

Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts;

Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas;

Honolulu, Hawaii; Los Angeles,

California; Miami, Florida; New

Orleans, Louisiana; New York, 

New York/Newark, New Jersey; Portland, Oregon; San Francisco,

California; and Seattle, Washington.

The Service operates wildlife

inspection offices in these cities.

Inspectors also staff 11 locations

along the Mexican and Canadian

borders and several additional 

ports that handle specific types 

of wildlife traffic.

What do inspectors do?

The United States is one of 

the world’s largest markets for 

wildlife and wildlife products. 

High-volume “live” traffic includes

reptiles, tropical fish, and primates.

Manufactured products (such as

boots, shoes, purses, jewelry, caviar,

and meats) and less “processed”

wildlife items (such as hunting

trophies, feathers, furs, skins, raw

coral, and shells) are also common. Wildlife inspectors must understand

and enforce a range of U.S. and

international laws, regulations, 

and treaties that protect wildlife 

and limit commercial traffic in

endangered animals and plants. 

They must be able to identify

thousands of different species, 

both live and as parts or products. 
Wildlife inspectors work closely 

with Service special agents and

counterparts from the U.S. Customs

Service and other Federal agencies

that police international trade. 

They staff special enforcement 

task forces that conduct inspection

blitzes at international mail

processing facilities or target specific

enforcement problems, such as the

import and sale of medicinal products

made from endangered species.

Outreach is also an important part 

of the job. Inspectors meet with

customs brokers, trade associations,

international travelers, and hunters

going abroad to explain wildlife

import/export rules and regulations.

They are popular guest speakers at

schools, nature centers, community

conservation programs, and

environmental fairs.

How do I become a wildlife

inspector?

New inspectors are recruited locally

when vacancies occur. Openings are

announced by regional Service

personnel offices. Inspectors typically

join the Service at the GS-5, 7, or 9

level, depending on their education

and experience. Knowledge of wildlife

taxonomy and zoology is especially

helpful. A background in criminal

justice, communication skills, and

computer literacy are also useful.

Are there any special requirements? Wildlife inspectors work in airport

cargo facilities, passenger terminals,

dock warehouses, and border check

stations, often under adverse noise

and weather conditions. They must 

be comfortable handling live animals

and fit enough to lift heavy cartons

and cases. Wildlife inspectors 

wear uniforms while on duty. Some

inspections require protective 

clothing and special safety equipment.

Because international trade is an

around-the-clock business, inspectors

sometimes work on weekends or 

at night. They must have a valid 

state driver’s license and be able to 

operate a government-owned car, 

van, or pickup truck. 
What benefits do inspectors earn? Wildlife inspectors enjoy all the

benefits of Federal employment,

including a generous retirement 

plan with substantial investment

opportunities. Inspectors earn 13 to

26 days of annual leave each year

depending on how long they have

been employed. Benefits also include

13 days of paid sick leave per year;

basic life insurance and low-cost

options for additional coverage; a 

free yearly physical examination; 

and opportunities to participate in a

variety of reasonably priced health

insurance plans.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

is an equal opportunity employer. 

All job candidates receive

consideration without regard to 

race, color, religion, sex, national

origin, age, political affiliation, or 

any other nonmerit factor. What opportunities exist for training

and career advancement?

All new wildlife inspectors complete 

a four-week “basic training” program

at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia,

and receive on-the-job instruction

and guidance. Annual “in service”

training programs give seasoned

inspectors a chance to enhance job

skills and review regulatory and

procedural changes.

Career ladders for wildlife 

inspectors in the field vary depending

on the individual’s duty station 

and responsibilities. Supervisory

positions are available at some ports.

Law enforcement headquarters 

staff include senior wildlife inspectors

who advise Service management 

on wildlife inspection policies and

issues. Inspectors have opportunities

to work on special enforcement 

task forces and complete 

short-term assignments in the

headquarters office.
CO, KS, MT, NE,

ND, SD, UT, WY

AK

Headquarters

Assistant Regional Director for 

Law Enforcement, Region 6

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 25486-DFC

Denver, Colorado 80225

Telephone: 303/236 7540

Assistant Regional Director for 

Law Enforcement, Region 7

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1011 E. Tudor Road, Suite 155

Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199

Telephone: 907/786 3311

Office of Law Enforcement

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 3247

Arlington, Virginia 22203-3247

Telephone: 703/358 1949

For More Information

To learn more about wildlife

inspectors and Federal wildlife law

enforcement, “visit” the U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service via the World Wide

Web (http://www.fws.gov) or write to

the Assistant Regional Director for

Law Enforcement for your state.

Assistant Regional Director for 

Law Enforcement, Region 1

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

911 N.E. 11th Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97232

Telephone: 503/231 6125

Assistant Regional Director for 

Law Enforcement, Region 2

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 329

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103

Telephone: 505/248 7889

Assistant Regional Director for 

Law Enforcement, Region 3

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 45, Federal Building

Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111

Telephone: 612/713 5320

Assistant Regional Director for 

Law Enforcement, Region 4

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 49226

Atlanta, Georgia 30359

Telephone: 404/679 7057

Assistant Regional Director for 

Law Enforcement, Region 5

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

300 Westgate Center Drive

Hadley, Massachusetts 01035

Telephone: 413/253 8274

States/Territories

CA, HI, ID, NV,

OR, WA, GU,

AS, CM

AZ, NM, OK, TX

IL, IN, IA, MI,

MN, MO, OH,

WI

AL, AR, FL, GA,

KY, LA, MS, NC,

SC, TN, PR, VI

CT, DE, DC, ME,

MD, MA, NH,

NJ, NY, PA, RI,

VT, VA, WV

Photos: USFWS
Wildlife Inspection Ports

• Designated Ports

• Border, Special and Other Ports

(Not shown: Agana, Guam)

New Mexico

Delaware

Maryland

Texas

Oklahoma

Kansas

Nebraska

South Dakota

Montana North Dakota

Wyoming

Colorado

Utah

Idaho

Arizona

Nevada

Alaska

Hawaii

Puerto Rico

Washington

California

Oregon

Atlanta

Vermont

New 

Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

Maine

New York

Pennsylvania

Virginia

 West

Virginia

Michigan

Ohio

Illinois Indiana

Missouri

Iowa

Minnesota

Wisconsin

New Jersey

Florida

Kentucky

North Carolina

Tennessee

South Carolina

Alabama

Mississippi

Arkansas

Louisiana

Georgia

¥

New York/Newark

¥

Dallas/Ft.Worth

¥

¥ Brownsville

Houston ¥

Denver

¥

Detroit ¥

Dunseith ¥

Minneapolis/ St. Paul

¥

Great Falls

¥

Nogales

¥

Laredo

¥

San Juan

¥

Tampa

¥

San 

¥ Diego

El Paso ¥

Miami ¥

New

Orleans ¥

¥ Los Angeles

Portland

¥

Seattle ¥

Anchorage ¥

Blaine

¥

San 

Francisco

¥

Honolulu¥

Baltimore

Buffalo

¥

Boston ¥

Chicago¥

¥

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Region 5

Region 6

Region 7
June 2002