Applications are "OPEN" for the 57th Department of Fish and Game Academy (dates:  January 14-August 16, 2013  *dates subject to change)

***To apply to the Department of Fish & Game for employment consideration see the link at the bottom of this page***

Current Academy:  56th Department of Fish and Game Academy (January 17 - August 17, 2012) 

 

LOCATION: 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA 95965  Fish and Game Academy classes are held in the Allied Health/Public Service Building of the Butte College Campus. The campus is located at the geographical center of the communities of Chico, Oroville and Paradise at the corner of Clark and Durham Pentz Roads. There is convenient access from Highway 99 and Highway 70.

THE PROGRAM: The Fish & Game Academy seats 50 students. The Department of Fish & Game conducts their hiring process during the year and has priority for the 40 academy seats. Once the Department of Fish & Game concludes their hiring process, filling as many seats as they have new hires, Butte College will fill the remaining seats with individual applicants who wish to attend. Typically, the Department of Fish & Game will fill 40 seats leaving 10 seats available for self-sponsored individuals.

The Fish and Game Academy is approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). P.O.S.T. requires law enforcement recruits to receive a minimum of 664 hours of training. Our program exceeds this requirement and offers approximately 1200 hours of instruction in the 41 Learning Domains and Fish and Game specific instruction.

CERTIFICATION: The Butte College Fish and Game Academy conforms to standards for certification by P.O.S.T. and the Department of Fish and Game. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to apply for Game Warden positions and entry level law enforcement positions in the State of California.

TIME: Typically, class is held from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for 30 weeks. However, some exercises will be conducted during hours of darkness and on Saturday or Sunday, depending on training needs.

REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma from an accredited high school or GED. No felony convictions. Valid Driver License. Pass entrance exam with a score of 42 or higher. Pass the Pre-Law Enforcement Academy Physical Training Test 1.5 mile run in 15 minutes or less.

FEES: (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) Fees are approximately $4,000 - $5,500 (Based on $36 per unit enrollment fee). This amount includes enrollment, material, driving, and textbooks. The above fees also include approximate costs for uniforms and physical training clothing. Weapons and safety equipment will be furnished by Fish and Game. Out-of-state students will be charged an additional $200 per unit above the initial fee (subject to change).  NOTE: The college has a new fee policy called “7 Days to Pay.” For more information: http://www.butte.edu/7days/

ENROLLMENT:

1. Complete and return the attached “ACADEMY ENROLLMENT APPLICATION."
2. Call our office, (530) 895-2401, and reserve a slot to take a P.O.S.T. Entrance Examination. Bring a valid form of photo identification to the examination site. See below for additional information.
3. Call our office, (530) 895-2401, if you are notified that you have passed the P.O.S.T. Entrance Examination and reserve a slot to take the Pre-Law Enforcement Academy Physical Training Test 1.5 mile run. Bring a valid form of photo identification to the examination site.
4. Specific and detailed instructions will be emailed to each applicant who has successfully completed the entrance examination, has successfully completed the Physical Training Test 1.5 mile run in 15 minutes or less, and has been selected to attend the academy.

 

ENTRY LEVEL EXAM: Each applicant must complete a P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Examination consisting of basic language skills. Approximately two and one-half hours are allowed for the examination. Examinations are normally offered two times prior to the start of each academy. Applicants are encouraged to take both examinations, since the highest score is used to determine entrance eligibility. Be aware that when you take the P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Examination you must wait one month before you can retake the test. See the attached information for dates, times, and locations of the examinations. Examination results take approximately 10 working days.

To take a sample entry-level examination, go to the Butte College web site, www.butte.edu. In the scroll-down box select “Public Safety Education,” then click on “Law Enforcement Academy” on the left side. Once in the academy web page, scroll down until you see “practice P.O.S.T. Exam.”  Location of Academy Testing

Exam & Orientation - Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 9:00am AHPS 118

Exam & Orientation - Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 9:00am-AHPS 118

*Orientation – 12:15 pm in AHPS 118

To take a sample entry-level examination, go to the link on left side of this page to "Take a P.O.S.T. Practice Test" and click on "Practice Test"

If you have a learning disability, you should contact Disabled Student Services at (530) 895-2455, prior to scheduling the Entry Level Test, so that we can accommodate your special needs. Any special accommodations must be arranged and this office notified of the special arrangements prior to the test date.

ORIENTATION: We are offering a pre-academy orientation on each scheduled entry-level exam date. We will provide an overview of what will be expected of you physically, mentally, and academically. An overview of the academy program, as well as a question and answer period, will be included in this 2-hour presentation. All academy applicants must attend one orientation session. Anyone considering law enforcement as a career will be welcome. We want you to be informed and prepared for a successful experience at our academy.

PRE-LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY PHYSICAL TRAINING TEST: Each applicant who has successfully passed the P.O.S.T. Entrance Examination with a score of 42 or higher will be required to take and successfully complete the Pre-Law Enforcement Academy Physical Training Test 1.5 mile run. You must successfully complete the run in 15 minutes or less to be considered for entrance into the Law Enforcement Academy. The test will be administered two-weeks after the P.O.S.T. Entrance Examination.

Be aware that you can only take the Pre-Law Enforcement Academy Physical Training Test once per academy application.

You MUST call ahead of time to reserve a slot to take the exam by calling (530) 895-2401. If your name is NOT on the list, you may be refused admittance to the exam.

The testing will begin PROMPTLY at the time listed. Late arrivals will not be accepted. A valid form of photo identification will be required for admittance.

UNITS: Upon successful completion of the program, the student will receive 50 semester units.

UNIFORMS: All participants will be required to wear the Butte College Fish and Game Academy uniform. Details will be provided to those who are accepted.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: Academy recruits are required to have a laptop computer. Computer specifications are attached.

FINANCIAL AID: The Butte College Financial Aid office can be reached at 895-2311, and the college’s Veterans Office can be reached by calling 895-2566. Assistance may be available to qualified students. Please apply for grants and loans as soon as possible due to the fact that academy fees are due prior to the start of the academy program.  For more information and to apply: http://www.butte.edu/financialaid/

HOUSING: There is no housing on campus. Neighboring communities are approximately a 20 minute commute from the campus. There is ample rental housing in these communities. For those students who desire a dormitory environment, Craig Hall in Chico is available to both Butte College and CSU Chico students. Craig Hall can be reached at (800) 559-1393.

INFORMATION: Please call our office at (530) 895-2401 between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. NOTE: Summer hours are 7am – 5pm, Monday through Thursday.

DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: If you have attended a college and have units equivalent to the 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 it is highly recommended that you apply for employment with the Department of Fish & Game prior to attending the academy (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/career/index.aspx). (Students who have 30 semester units of college, and have 18 semester units completed in the required or related fields, will be admitted to the examination, but must produce evidence of completion of 60 semester units before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

For more information on becoming a Department of Fish and Game Warden information please visit: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/career.