Being a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Wildlife Officer
is a great career. It offers individuals interested in law enforcement
a lifetime of challenges, diverse assignments, and opportunities for
professional growth and career advancement. Wardens have Statewide jurisdiction
and although their primary function is to enforce Fish and Game code,
they may be called upon to enforce any of California's laws.
Wildlife Officers provide the public with hunting and fishing information
and protect California's diverse resources from poaching and overuse.
They are required to carry and use firearms; they usually work alone
and on weekends and holidays; and often work during the night. Wildlife officers
patrol on foot, on horseback, by plane, boats, and in a variety of vehicles.
They investigate reports of violations, collect and preserve evidence,
write reports, and testify in court.
Wildlife officers are also expected to promote and coordinate hunter education
programs, collect and report information on the conditions of fish and
wildlife and their habitat, and represent the CDFW at local schools and
meetings of special interest groups, e.g., hunting and fishing clubs,
Lions Club, Rotary, Audubon, etc.
Wildlife officers have assignments in both rural and urban areas of the State.
They are typically assigned to and responsible for enforcing the law
in a specific geographical area of the State. They enforce all Fish and
Game laws related to hunting, recreational and commercial fishing, trapping,
pollution, falconry, and exotic animal laws. Following is a list of some
of the specialized duties and assignments that are available for both
limited term and permanent assignment: