Fairfield, California - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking applicants for the Natural Resource Volunteer Program (NRVP) to serve in the North Coast Enforcement District (NCED). Interested residents in Humboldt, Del Norte, northern Mendocino and western Trinity counties are strongly encouraged to apply.
“The mission of the Natural Resources Volunteer Program is to provide conservation and enforcement education and public service while providing biological, enforcement and administrative support to CDFW staff,” said NRVP Program Coordinator Lt. Joshua Nicholas. “NRVP volunteers do not have law enforcement authority, but they are a huge help to the officers in the field and other CDFW staff members.”
CDFW is holding an NRVP training academy in Arcata March 17-19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with continued training to follow. Graduates of the academy become volunteers for CDFW. These positions are unpaid. Interested individuals go through a selection process, which includes an initial screening, application, interview and background check. If selected, individuals attend an 80-hour conservation course to prepare them for a monthly service commitment of a minimum of 16 hours. After completing the academy, volunteers work with a trained volunteer mentor to implement their newly acquired skills during a six-month probationary period.
Applicants need to be over the age of 18, be teachable, accountable, have basic computer and writing skills and a willingness to talk about conservation principles to the public in the field, office and in a classroom setting. Applicants must show a desire to work well with others in a team environment to do tasks that free up time for paid CDFW staff.
Natural resource volunteer duties may include assisting with human/wildlife incident calls, instructing at NRVP academies, representing CDFW at community outreach events and helping care for CDFW lands, ecological reserves and coastal and inland fishing areas.
Volunteers who are successful in the application and oral interview phase and will be required to have a Live Scan fingerprint performed and submitted.
Volunteer applicants must also have a current California driver license and produce a Department of Motor Vehicle driving report showing a good driving record for the last five years.
Mail the completed applications by Friday, January 23, 2015 to:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Attn: Lt. Josh Nicholas
Natural Resource Volunteer Program
425 G Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534
Applications and further information can be found on the NRVP website at www.dfg.ca.gov/volunteer/NRVP/.
