The application deadline for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) law enforcement training academy is fast approaching. Interested individuals must file their completed application by Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.

CDFW is particularly interested in recruiting applicants with a love of the outdoors, a passion for conservation and knowledge of fishing and hunting activities. For information on minimum qualifications and other requirements to become a wildlife officer cadet, visit https://jobs.ca.gov/public/bulletin.aspx?examcd=6fg13. All prospective candidates are encouraged to extensively review materials on CDFW’s website (www.wildlife.ca.gov/enforcement/career)  before contacting the Law Enforcement Division with questions.

CDFW typically receives more than 600 cadet applications per hiring cycle. CDFW wildlife officers are fully sworn California peace officers with a fundamental duty to serve and protect the public. The primary mission of a wildlife officer is to enforce hunting and fishing laws; to protect California waterways and habitat from destruction, pollution and litter; provide the public with hunting and fishing information; and to promote and coordinate hunter education and safe weapons handling. They have the authority to enforce all California laws, including the Vehicle Code, Penal Code, Health and Safety drug laws, and more.

Annually, wildlife officers make contact with more than 295,000 people and issue more than 15,000 citations for violations of the law.

Successful applicants will attend a Peace Officer Standards of Training certified law enforcement training academy, conducted by CDFW at Butte College, near Chico in northern California. Following the academy, cadets will work with a seasoned field training officer for several more weeks, learning to apply their training in practical circumstances.

The job posting and state application are both available online.