How to Become a California Game Warden

California game wardens must meet educational requirements and pass a state exam.

California game wardens patrol across the state's lakes, rivers, beaches and wetlands. As a game warden, your primary duty is to enforce California fish and wildlife preservation regulations, as well as hunting, fishing and boating laws. Game wardens also take environmental data and investigate farmers' losses related to wild animals. Part of the job involves presenting educational programs to the public.

Instructions

1. Meet the educational requirements to be a California game warden. To start a game warden career, you need the equivalent of two years, or 60 semester units, including 18 semester units in the biological sciences, police science or law enforcement, natural resources conservation, ecology or other related fields.

2. Find an examination. You must pass an open competitive examination to get on a job waiting list. You can take as many examinations as you can qualify for. California's Department of Fish and Game advertises its examinations through examination bulletins, which detail minimum qualifications as well as how, where, and when to file. You'll also be told what to study to prepare.

3. Apply for an examination. To apply, you must complete a state application form and submit it to the address on the examination bulletin.

4. Complete and pass an examination. The State Department of Fish and Game gives a written test that covers the principals of law enforcement, conservation, the habits, ecology, and distribution of California fish and wildlife, and the ability to reason logically, according to the California Employment Development Department. Job competitors must also take a physical exam, which includes vision and hearing screening, and pass a physical endurance test that includes swimming for 100 yards.

5. Place in the top three ranks for the exam. Once you pass the examination, you'll be placed on a list for an appointment. Only those ranking high on the list will be considered, generally in the top three. If a rank is cleared and that individual is unavailable, the hiring choice goes to the next lower rank until the position is filled.

6. Find a game warden vacancy with California's Department of Fish and Game. You can obtain vacancy information in several ways. You may receive a contact letter, but you can also look for job openings on your own in the DFG Job Opportunity bulletin.

7. Be interviewed for hire. Find out about the missions and functions of the department beforehand, as well as how your education applies to the job. If you aren't offered a job, your name will remain on the list for future vacancies.

8. After you are hired you will be designated a cadet and must complete a fish and game law enforcement training program. This program is given at various police academy locations and is accredited by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards.

9. Survive probation as a California game warden. All newly appointed state employees must undergo a probationary period of six to 12 months, during which time you'll receive training and three evaluations.

10. Fish and Game Warden Cadet is the first of five occupational steps in the
    California Fish and Game Warden series. The others are warden A and B, patrol
    lieutenant, patrol captain, and patrol inspector. Each promotion is based
    on a competitive examination, experience, and performance requirements.
    Eligibility of patrol lieutenant occurs after one year's service as a
    warden.

Tips & Warnings

• California offers the second highest pay in the nation for game warden careers. The hourly median salary is $31.60, while the median annual salary is $65,730.

References

• California Department of Fish and Game: How to Get a Job with DFG
• California Department of Fish and Game: Open Statewide Examination for Fish and Game Warden Cadet
• California Employment Development Department