Healthy Central Valley salmon runs are the cornerstone of a diverse fishing economy that includes coastal communities from Santa Barbara to Crescent City, in San Francisco Bay and along Central Valley rivers. These jobs include commercial and recreational fishermen, party boats, inland river guides, tackle and marine manufacturers and retailers, fish markets, harbor-related businesses, restaurants and more. Californians have long looked forward to the spring start of the salmon season and the arrival of the best fish in the world in our markets and restaurants.
california fish and game jobs
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Sheree Christiansen is a fish and game warden with a mission: to serve and protect what remains of the Bay Area's once bountiful wildlife. Lots of critters fall under her watchful eye - everything from birds, fish, squirrels and snakes to red-legged frogs, deer and mountain lions.
Pulling an alligator out of Lake Merritt, cracking down on an auto body shop that's dumping toxics in the estuary, or investigating complaints of overfishing on a party boat, the game warden is there with citations, brochures, animal snares and handcuffs.
Strolling briskly along the pier, the game warden checks in with anglers. She asks what bait they're using, and peers into their buckets and ice chests. Many fishers know her by sight, answer her questions and fire off their own.
Christiansen is proud of her agency's role as a guardian of our wildlife heritage. But in recent years, budget cuts have taken a toll. The number of wardens has dropped through attrition: many officers retire, others take higher-paying jobs. The state has 345 fish and game wardens. An additional 58 positions are vacant, and there are plans to eliminate most of those next year.
As a veteran with the agency, Christiansen earns a base salary of about $50, 000 a year, plus thousands of dollars in overtime. Her counterparts at some other law enforcement agencies make twice as much. Along with state park rangers, fish and game wardens have one of the state's lowest-paying law enforcement jobs.
Fish and game wardens or conservation officers are peace officers who are commissioned in the state in which they perform their job duties. They ensure that applicable Fish and Wildlife Codes are obeyed and enforce state fishing, boating, and hunting laws and any federal laws that pertain to these activities. Fish and game wardens who gain experience and engage in continuing education may find advancement opportunities as a Field Training Officer (FTO) or in administration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the states with the most jobs for fish and game wardens are Texas, New York, Georgia, California, and North Carolina. Metropolitan areas that lead the list with the most employment opportunities include Virginia Beach, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Baltimore, Maryland.
Fish and game wardens protect the nation's wildlife from such illegal activity as poaching and trapping and assist visitors at federal, state, and local parks. These highly trained officers keep a close watch on fish and wildlife, looking for changes, such as pollution, to their environment. Fish and game wardens investigate criminal behavior related to fish and wildlife, write reports, make arrests, gather evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, and may be called to testify in court. They also assist other law enforcement groups when wildlife - such as cougars, bears, or coyotes - wander into residential areas. Fish and game wardens may also help during search and rescue operations.
The minimum age requirement for fish and game wardens is either 18 or 21 years, depending on the state. Successful candidates must have a bachelor's degree, but some states will waive this education requirement if the applicant has a two year associate's degree in addition to law enforcement experience or full-time fish and/or wildlife experience. As there are usually more applicants for fish and game warden positions than there are job openings, a four-year degree can give an applicant an edge over other applicants. Once an individual is selected to become a fish and game warden, he or she undergoes further study at a training academy for approximately three to 12 months. Contact your state's Department of Fish and Game for information on local requirements and opportunities. If you would like to become a fish and game warden, you should expect steps similar to the following:
Once an individual is selected to become a fish and game warden, he or she undergoes further study at a training academy for approximately three to 12 months. Individuals who earn a position as a fish and game warden with the federal government must complete a 20-week training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Agency in Glynco, Georgia; trainees spend the final two weeks in West Virginia. Training covers both wildlife law enforcement and criminal investigations, including such subjects as identification of wildlife and the proper use of firearms. Following successful completion of the training academy, fish and game wardens must shadow Field Training Officers (FTO) for 10 weeks to gain hands-on experience under the watchful eye of a seasoned fish and game warden before moving to their assigned location.
The BLS reports that fish and game wardens earned an average annual salary of $57,710 as of 2018.1 The top 10% earned an average annual salary of $80,140.1 There were approximately 6,040 fish and game wardens working in the US in 2018, with the majority (5,260) employed in state government.1
State, federal, and private sectors employ game wardens to oversee adherence to wildlife laws and regulations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded the average annual wage for fish and game wardens as $57,810 in May 2020.
A game warden maintains and manages wildlife conservation by enforcing fishing, hunting, and poaching laws. State and federal parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and state wildlife departments hire fish and wildlife officers to carry out wildlife conservation laws.
Game wardens regularly interact with law officials at the state and federal levels. On an average day, a game warden may also speak with recreational hunters and fishers to check for proper licenses and ensure the safety of outdoor activities.
Fish and wildlife officer job descriptions vary by region. Depending on their location, game wardens possess different qualifications and specialities. Game wardens working in forest land may monitor hunting activity, while those monitoring the coast might enforce fishing laws.
Game wardens may work normal daytime hours or evening hours. Overtime might occur if game wardens respond to an emergency situation. Working during holidays and weekends is not uncommon, as these are the busiest times for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation.
The average day in the life of a fish and wildlife officer depends on where the officer works. For example, some game wardens might patrol assigned areas to enforce local laws while others specialize in search and rescue operations.
While all game wardens enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife, some might choose to specialize within the industry. Specialties allow game wardens to focus on particular tasks or problems. The table below details some of the most popular fish and wildlife officer specializations.
The BLS reports a $27.90 median hourly wage for game wardens as of May 2020. The agency projects employment numbers to increase 7% from 2020-2030. Prospective game wardens apply for jobs through state or federal fish and wildlife services. These jobs remain highly competitive.
All fish and game officials must earn associate degrees. Some states require game wardens to earn a bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation, environmental management, criminal justice, biology, or a related topic. To earn promotions, game wardens must serve for a defined number of years and earn specific certifications. Potential senior-level game warden roles include:
According to the BLS, Florida, Texas, and New York have the highest levels of employment for fish and game wardens as of May 2020. The BLS also recorded California, New Jersey, and Illinois pay game wardens the highest salaries, with California paying an average annual salary of $88,150 as of May 2020.
Once prospective game wardens earn passing scores on all exams, they can find work. Candidates submit job applications through state or federal fish and wildlife agencies. Recent graduates may qualify for entry-level game warden roles unless additional work experience appears on the application.
Depending on their home state, game wardens must earn an associate degree or bachelor's degree to qualify for fish and game officer training. Common degrees include natural resource science, criminal law, or biology.
In addition to basic training, game wardens receive 700-750 additional hours of training in wildlife and fish law enforcement. Generally, training at the state level requires fewer weeks of study than training at the federal level.
Fish and Wildlife wardens, like other law enforcement officers, are trained in a myriad of duties, such as homicide investigations, traffic stops, DUI, drug laws, rape. But they are also trained in fish and game codes, which can change regularly.
Game wardens protect humans, animals, and natural resources. They educate the public and enforce fishing, hunting, and boating laws. A specific game warden job description depends on the state or office and the level of the position.
As fall arrives, about 40 candidates will be chosen to enroll in an eight-month cadet program, similar to a police academy. About 75 percent of the cadets graduate and are offered full-time positions as game wardens or jobs with other agencies.
Catch-and-release angling is encouraged for bass, bluegill, and crappie. However, the release of badly hooked game fish and all non-game fish is not allowed. Please bring any unwanted and tagged fish and your completed creel census card (on the back of the fishing permit) to the Chabot Marina. 2ff7e9595c
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