• This is not an entry level classification. If you do not have any POST qualifications per the minimum qualifications section, please DO NOT apply. If you're interested in becoming a Game Warden, please visit the Warden Cadet Exam Bulletin here CalCareers.

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 4/1/2026
• 5/1/2026
• 6/1/2026
• 7/1/2026
• 8/1/2026
• 8/6/2026
• 9/1/2026
• 10/1/2026
• 11/1/2026
• 12/1/2026

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

Continuous - Cut-Off Date:

FIRST DAY OF EVERY MONTH (August will have two cut-off dates)

NOTE: Before submitting your application, please be sure to complete the Education and License section of the STD 678, listing your POST Basic Peace Officer certificate or Academy information. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection of your application.

Why not work to benefit California’s environment? Want to work with dedicated people who value and enjoy their work?

Our employees are committed to managing and protecting California’s diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend. Join us and begin a meaningful new career.

For more information on the State examination and hiring process, visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife website at Employment Opportunities (ca.gov)

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 GAME WARDEN - Open

FOR CURRENT PEACE OFFICERS ONLY:
A copy of your POST BASIC CERTIFICATE (A copy of your POST Online Profile is Sufficient: Online POST Profile (ca.gov)) 

FOR ACADEMY GRADUATES:
A copy of your Basic Academy Certificate

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

3210

For FISH AND GAME WARDEN, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-03210

To apply for this examination, submit a completed Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678) along with all required documents. 

Preferred Application Methods 

Include the Exam Code and Examination Title in the subject line of your email. 

The STD. 678 is available through your CalCareers account or online at Examination and Employment Application . 

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.

You may apply by mail to:

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

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

The following items must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application form. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application.

• Criminal Background Supplemental Questionnaire
• Transcript (Official or Unofficial)
• Certificate - POST Basic or Basic Academy Certificate

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.

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.

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

Education:

Equivalent to completion of two years (60 semester units) of college with 18 semester units in the biological sciences, police science or law enforcement, natural resources conservation, ecology, or related fields. (Students who have 30 semester units of college and have 18 semester units completed in the required or related fields and meet all other MQ’s will have their application accepted but must produce evidence of completion of 60 semester units before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) AND

EITHER I

Successful completion of a California POST accredited Law Enforcement Academy, possession of a valid California POST basic peace officer certificate, and currently employed as a peace officer within the State of California at time of application.

OR II

Successful completion (within the last 12 months) of a California POST accredited law enforcement academy prescribed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and possession of a valid California POST basic academy certificate.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

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

PLEASE NOTE: This examination will utilize an evaluation of each candidate’s experience and education (E&E) compared to a standard developed from the class specification. For this reason, it is especially important that each candidate take special care in accurately and completely filling out their application. List all experience relevant to the “minimum qualifications for admittance” shown on this announcement. 

Supplementary information will be accepted, but read the “Minimum Qualifications for Admittance” and “Scope of the Examination” carefully to see what kind of information will be

useful to the staff doing the evaluation. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, a minimum rating of 70% must be attained.

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. Investigation techniques and procedures.

2. Rules of evidence and court procedures.

3. Laws of arrest, search and seizure and legal rights of citizens, and service of legal process.

4. State and applicable Federal laws.

5. Basic principles and techniques of natural resources management.

6. Habits, life histories, ecological relationships, and geographical distribution of sport and commercial fishes and wildlife in California.

7. Sport and commercial fishing and hunting practices and equipment; and current court decisions.

Ability to:

1. Gather and analyze facts.

2. Reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.

3. Follow instructions.

4. Communicate effectively and write clearly and concisely.

5. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the work.

6. Learn rules and regulations.

7. Interpret, apply, and enforce Fish and Wildlife laws.

8. Read and interpret maps.

9. Analyze situations accurately, think and act quickly in emergencies and take effective action.

10. Establish and maintain tactful and effective relations with the public.

11. Learn safety and proficiency with firearms, peace officer protective equipment, and other equipment used on the job and administer first aid treatment.

12. Assist in the interpretation and application of biological information and laws and regulations to specific situations.

13. Participate effectively in investigations and interviews.

14. Work on field assignments without close supervision and primarily on own initiative.

15. Train and act as a lead over new Fish and Game Wardens.

16. Prepare accurate and concise reports.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the FISH AND GAME WARDEN 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.

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.

Range A - $5,563 - $7,365– This range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for payment in Range B.

Range B - $6,339 - $8,802– This range shall apply to those persons: (1) who have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of 24 months of Range A; or (2) who have received a Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement or the biological sciences or a closely related field and who have satisfactorily completed two years of full-time paid law enforcement or technical fish and wildlife experience; or (3) who have two years (60 semester units) of college with a concentration in law enforcement or the biological sciences or a closely related field and who have satisfactorily completed four years of full-time paid law enforcement or technical fish and wildlife experience. Alternate range criteria cannot be combined for movement from Range A to Range B.

In addition to salary, Fish and Game Wardens can receive additional pay differentials as listed below:

Geographic Differential (142):
Employees headquartered and residing in one of the following 17 designated high-cost counties receive a monthly differential of

$220 (Fish and Game Warden, Range A) or $300 (Fish and Game Warden, Range B).

Longevity Pay (245):
All employees who have peace officer status and at least 17 years of State service receive a monthly differential based on a percentage of their base pay. Prior State service in classifications other than a peace officer may be included. Longevity pay will be determined as follows:

Education Incentive Pay (244):

A. The State agrees to pay employees to attain the POST certificates listed below, as certified by the Department, or the appropriate college degree, as follows:

• Intermediate POST Certificate or equivalent, or AA/AS Degree- 2.5% of base pay or no less than $120.

• Advanced POST Certificate or equivalent, or BA/BS Degree- 5% of base pay or no less than $240.

B. The Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college, or university.

C. The above educational incentives are non-cumulative. Employees are only eligible to receive the single largest incentive for which they qualify.

D. Employees who submit proof of attainment shall begin receiving the Educational Incentive Pay effective with the pay period following the month in which proof was submitted.

AGE LIMITATION

Must be 21 years of age at time of appointment to peace officer (completion of academy. Mandatory retirement age of 65 years for state peace officers (Government Code Section 21132)

DRUG TESTING REQUIREMENT

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. Drug 

testing of current State employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A personal history statement and a background investigation covering the following areas; Personal Information; Relatives and References; Experience and Employment; Education; Residences; Military Service; Motor Vehicle Operation; Legal; Financial; and General Information.

A fingerprint card must be filled out for submission to the California Department of Justice and FBI to check for criminal history.

A voice stress analyzer is used to verify the information submitted by each applicant during the background process.

All California Peace Officers must meet the following POST job dimensions: Integrity; Impulse Control/Attention to Safety; Substance Abuse and Other Risk- Taking Behavior; Stress Tolerance; Confronting and Overcoming Problems, Obstacles, and Adversity; Conscientiousness; Interpersonal Skills; Decision-making and Judgment; Communication Skills; and Learning Ability.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING

The POST required psychological evaluation determines if a candidate is free from any emotional or mental condition, and to otherwise ensure that the candidate is capable of withstanding the psychological demands of the position.

MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST

There is a Physical Ability Test (PAT) that measures strength, endurance, and swimming ability. The specifications for the PAT may be found at?California Department of Fish & Wildlife Physical Abilities Test (PAT).?A POST-required medical examination will confirm that candidates are in sound physical condition and have hearing and vision adequate to perform the duties of the position. Further information may be found in the POST Medical Screening Manual.  

SPECIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sound physical condition, ability to swim, and hearing adequate to perform the duties of the position; visual acuity of not less than 20/40 in each eye without correction and corrected to not less than 20/20 in each eye; normal color vision as measured by the Ishihara Pseudoisochromatic Plate Test or for persons failing the Ishihara, the Farnsworth D-15 Arrangement Test; and a peripheral field of view of at least 120 degrees of horizontal extent and 100 degrees of vertical extent, with no evidence of scotomas (nonseeing areas) within the full visual field of each eye. 

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Existing law provides that peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

DRUG TESTING REQUIREMENT

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. Drug testing of current State employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement. 

DISQUALIFICATION

Existing law provides that persons convicted of a felony or convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for or be appointed to positions in these classes.

You are disqualified from being employed as a peace officer under Government Code 1029 if (1) you have been convicted of a felony in this State or any other state; (2) you have been convicted of any offense in any other state which would have been a felony if committed in this State; (3) you have been charged with a felony and adjudged by a superior court to be mentally incompetent; (4) you have been found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony; (5) you have been determined to be a mentally disordered sex offender; or (6) you have been addicted or in danger of becoming addicted to narcotics, convicted, and committed to a State institution. 

You are disqualified from being employed as a peace officer under the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968 as amended by the Federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, which makes it unlawful for any person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, posses, or receive firearms or ammunition. A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence means an offense that (1) is a misdemeanor under Federal or State law; and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim. This definition includes all misdemeanors that involve the use or attempted use of physical force and is true whether or not the State statute or local ordinance specifically defines the offense as a domestic violence misdemeanor.

Use of "hard" drugs (e.g., heroin, cocaine, or hallucinogenic) subsequent to applicant's 18th birthday and prior to his or her twenty-third birthday, shall be grounds for disqualification from the examination unless 5 years elapsed from the date of the disclosed or revealed use of the drug. If any such disclosed or revealed use has occurred on or after the applicant's twenty-third birthday, he or she shall be disqualified from the examination in which he or she is competing until 10 years have elapsed from the date of the disclosed or revealed use. The disqualification period shall begin on the date that the drug was used, and not on the date that the drug use was disclosed or revealed.

• Department of Fish and Wildlife

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

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.

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.