Exam Bulletin - Fish and Wildlife Technician

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Exam Code: EX-1724

Examination Plans Included:

  • FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN: $3,770.00 - $4,898.00 per Month

View the FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1724

For FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01724

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00100916 - FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.) and

Either 1
Six months of experience in the natural resources field such as parks, forestry, or fish and wildlife. (Completion of one year of college with at least six semester units in the biological sciences may be substituted for the required experience.)

Or 2
One year of experience in the mechanical or construction trades.

Position Description

00100916 - FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN

Perform the skilled/semiskilled work at a fish hatchery or planting base in such tasks as: spawn fish, care for and transfer eggs, and incubate and hatch eggs; care for fry, prepare feed for and feed fish, and clean troughs and rearing ponds; treat fish for disease, inventory fish, load fish for transport, and transport fish; maintain facilities and equipment; monitor fish health and water quality; record information; and operate various vehicles, equipment, and tools.

Perform skilled/semiskilled tasks in a fish screen and ladder shop relating to the design, fabrication, construction, operation, and maintenance of fish screens, ladders, and traps; build or fabricate metal screen components and mechanical screen cleaning mechanisms; repair and build parts for mechanical equipment, sampling gear, electrical apparatus, and related fisheries research support devices; read blueprints and plans; lay out patterns and templates, and make up jigs and forms; build and set up concrete forms for screen and ladder installations; mix and pour concrete; maintain and repair screen shop structures, grounds, and equipment; run scheduled inspections of screens and traps for maintenance and operation; remove, count, and relocate fish caught in traps; remove debris from screens and make minor repairs in the field; grease screen wiper blades and bearings; remove barriers from streams; sand blast and paint screen parts and traps; operate and maintain small boats; operate trucks, backhoes, and other light automotive and construction equipment; operate various woodworking and metal power tools such as saws, drills, and lathes; may assist research personnel on field surveys in the collection of data. As a Lead, direct permanent or seasonal staff in field construction and maintenance tasks relating to fish and wildlife habitat development or improvement; build, install, and maintain artificial watering devices, water control structures, irrigation devices, access roads, levees, and public use facilities; construct protective cover for upland game; control brush and plant growth by mechanical and chemical means; seed, cultivate, and irrigate wildlife cover and forage plants; trap, tag, or mark fish and wildlife; conduct wildlife census and habitat condition surveys; collect fish and wildlife samples and specimens; may operate a hunter checking station or small permanent or seasonal field installation; keep records and prepare routine factual reports; as required, operate automobiles, trucks, tractors, pumps, and other types of mechanical equipment.

Special Personal Characteristics
Aptitude for fish and wildlife conservation work, construction, repair, and maintenance work; willingness to live and work throughout the State, and work unusual hours and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; willingness to do heavy manual labor, work in adverse weather conditions, and to wear a prescribed uniform; keenness of observation; tact; and reliability.

Special Physical Characteristics
Ability to swim at least 50 yards and to stay afloat at least five minutes; good physical condition; and ability to lift 40 pounds.

Additional Desirable Qualification
Education equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Methods, materials, and equipment used in fish hatchery and wildlife management activities in California 
  2. Methods of stripping, spawning, and caring for eggs 
  3. Raising fry and young fish 
  4. Transporting and planting fish 
  5. Construction and maintenance work involved in making, installing, and repairing fish screens, ladders, and traps 
  6. Life cycles of trout, anadromous, and warm water species 
  7. Stream improvement procedures 
  8. Recognition and control of hatchery fish diseases and parasites 
  9. Wildlife habitat construction, maintenance, and improvement methods 
  10. General power tools, welding, carpentry, concrete work, and painting 
  11. Operation of such equipment as trucks, bulldozers, and backhoes
Ability to:
  1. Communicate effectively 
  2. Follow oral and written instructions 
  3. Prepare simple reports and maintain simple records 
  4. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work 
  5. Analyze situations and take effective action
  6. Perform a variety of skilled/semiskilled mechanical and construction work 
  7. Direct the work of seasonal staff

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the FISH AND WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Fish and Wildlife

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Fish and Wildlife Technician Training and Experience Exam Preview

Section 1: Tasks

Instructions:
Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Describe your work experience relevant to performing this task, both paid and volunteer.
  1. Maintaining some of the equipment listed here (e.g., vehicles, miscellaneous power equipment, farming equipment, specialized equipment for hatcheries and wildlife areas, small motors and hydraulics).
  2. Performing general construction work (e.g., carpentry, welding, electrical, plumbing, concrete, fencing) under direction of Supervisor or designated person in charge.
  3. Maintaining routine records (e.g., mileage logs, maintenance schedules, pump logs, field maintenance records) using a paper log, computer, and/or electronic device.
  4. Conducting facility and grounds maintenance (e.g., post informational signs, collect garbage, clean and paint facilities, clean restrooms).
  5. Fabricating metal, plastic, or wood to improve or repair exiting structures, facilities or equipment using various power tools (e.g., saws, drills, lathes). .
  6. Keeping detailed records and storing data as directed by Supervisor or designated person in charge.
  7. Performing landscape maintenance (e.g., mowing weeds and lawns, pruning trees, hedges and shrubs) using landscaping tools and lawn mowing equipment (e.g., weed eater, chain saw).
  8. Performing basic mathematical calculations as a part of performing other tasks (e.g., inventory, calculating concentrations or percentages).
  9. Communicating effectively with people inside and outside of your work group both verbally and in writing.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Fish and Wildlife

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@CalHR.CA.GOV

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Human Resources Branch
Department of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244
Phone:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Fish and Wildlife reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)