Information Officer II, Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

Job Description and Duties

Are you passionate about telling stories that inform, educate and inspire? Join a dynamic communications team helping Californians connect with and care for the state's fish, wildlife and natural resources. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Office of Communication, Education, and Outreach (OCEO) is seeking a motivated individual to work as an Information Officer II in downtown Sacramento.

Under the administrative direction of the Deputy Director of Public Affairs and in close strategic collaboration with the Wildlife Branch, Law Enforcement Division, regional staff, and OCEO staff, the Information Officer II for Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) leads statewide communications and public information efforts supporting CDFW’s human-wildlife conflict program.

Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of statewide communications and public affairs strategies for CDFW’s HWC Program. Develop proactive and responsive communications plans for complex, sensitive and high-profile wildlife issues, including incidents involving public safety, wildlife interactions, depredation, emerging wildlife concerns and other issues with significant public or media interest. Serve as a Department spokesperson and primary media contact on assigned HWC issues. Respond to media inquiries; develop talking points, key messages, news releases, media advisories, frequently asked questions and briefing materials; prepare and coordinate subject-matter experts for interviews; and provide communications counsel to Department leadership and program staff.

Develop and implement statewide public information campaigns designed to prevent and reduce human-wildlife conflict and promote safe coexistence with wildlife. Develop communication strategies addressing wildlife attractants, safe wildlife interactions, nonlethal deterrence, incident reporting and other actions that support responsible coexistence. Research, write, edit and coordinate HWC content for CDFW websites, social media, publications, presentations, videos, graphics, fact sheets and other public-facing platforms.

Develop and coordinate communications approaches for communities and stakeholders affected by human-wildlife conflict. Work with regional staff, local governments, Tribes, law enforcement agencies, agricultural interests, schools, community organizations, nongovernmental organizations and other partners to identify communication needs and support consistent, locally relevant information. Plan and support public meetings, community forums, presentations and other engagement opportunities related to HWC.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program:

This position is a 12-month Limited Term (LT) and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

During this 12-month Limited Term assignment, you will receive full health, dental, and vision benefits! You will also earn State Service and accrue monthly leave credits.

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

Link to Information Officer II Exam: CalCareers

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

- Work with staff statewide and external partners to complete work assignments.

- Travel required up to 30% of the time (may include flying, driving a state vehicle or personal vehicle, hiking, riding horseback, operating or riding in an ATV/UTV, motorized or non-motorized aquatic vessels). May include overnight stays.

- Occasional weekends and non-traditional work hours may be required.

- Ability to use a computer most of the day.

- Involves working in an open office environment and desk most of the day but may involve moving to other locations and meeting in person in various environments.

- Attend meetings both virtually and in-person.

- Ability to work outside in diverse weather conditions, in water and on uneven terrain occasionally.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Special Personal Characteristics: Appreciation of news value; ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt or recommend for adoption by top management an effective course of action; ability to gain the confidence and respect of persons contacted in the work; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relations with the news media and other public groups; demonstrated ability to have sound judgement under stress; application of the need to inform and educate the public on various phases of an agency's program.

Interpersonal Skills: Exercises adaptability and leadership; demonstrates fair-minded and ethical decision-making; works cooperatively with all parties within and outside the Department.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-008-5595-905and RPA Number E-COMM 26-007 in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for Which You Are Applying section of the State Application Form (Std. Form 678). Applications that do not list the Position Number and RPA Number may not be considered.

It is recommended that Application Packages be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at . If applications are mailed, we recommend applications are sent certified mail as we are unable to verify receipt.

Applications that do not follow the Filing Instructions may not be considered.

This advertisement may be used to fill additional vacancies for this JC.

Resume – Resumes will be reviewed in addition to the STD 678 for employment history. Resumes must include the complete to and from dates (MM/DD/YYYY) and hours worked per week.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, in AP style, single spaced,12-point Century Gothic font with one-inch margins.

  1. Describe your experience developing and monitoring statewide communications campaigns. Provide examples of your work process and how you measured success.

  2. Please describe how your experience and education qualify you to fulfill the job duties of the Information Officer II as described in the duty statement.