Hunter education
instructors are volunteers who devote personal time and effort to promoting
hunting safety. Certified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW),
hunter education instructors are authorized to teach public classes
consistent with curriculum and policies established by WDFW.
Instructors must
be at least 21 years of age, keenly interested in promoting safety,
wildlife conservation and responsible outdoor behavior and willing to
teach or assist in at least one class per year.
Nowadays most hunter
education instructors team teach. The typical class involves two or
more instructors who share the responsibilities of setting up and conducting
classes. If you have a hunting partner (or two!), coworker or another
family member who can assist you, please invite them to consider applying
as instructors, too!
All potential instructors
undergo a background investigation to insure they have no problems which
would prevent them serving as instructors.
In addition to the
background investigation, instructors are asked to attend a basic hunter
education course and to assist in conducting a course. This gives the
candidate a good insider's view of what the curriculum entails and an
insight into the role of the instructor.
WDFW staff also
conduct new instructor training from January through August of each
year. Class locations and dates vary, but all instructor applicants
are provided advance notice about class dates and locations. Please
check hunter education staff
to determine training locations and dates.
The work of the
hunter education instructor is demanding, the pay is lousy (as in non-existent!)
and the hours are often long and inconvenient. Instructors love their
work not because of any material rewards or benefits, but because they
know they are contributing in some small way to the future of hunting.
If you like a challenge, aren't afraid of hard work and see yourself
as a good team player, we want to hear from you soon!
Right now, additional
instructors and teaching teams are needed in Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz,
Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston,
and Yakima Counties.
If you are interested
in learning more about the role of hunter education instructors, or
if you'd like an application
to get started, please contact hunter
education program.
