Wildlife Officer Cadet - 12 Positions Located Throughout the State

Wildlife Officer Cadet - 12 Positions

Organization : Natural Resources Agency Contact Name and Information : hr@dnr.ohio.gov or 614-265-6808

Unposting Date : Jan 12, 2026, 4 : 59 : 00 AM

Primary Location : United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Other Locations : United States of America-OHIO-Summit County-Akron, United States of America-OHIO-Athens County-Athens, United States of America-OHIO-Hancock County-Findlay, United States of America-OHIO-Greene County-Xenia

Compensation : $25.44 / hr

Schedule : Full-time

Work Hours : Hours may vary

Primary Job Skill : Law Enforcement

Technical Skills : Criminology / Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Wildlife

Professional Skills : Building Trust, Customer Focus, Listening, Time Management, Verbal Communication

Agency Overview : Did you know Ohio operates 76 state parks, manages over 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife land and more than 2 million acres of water? That's just the tip of the iceberg of what we do at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as we seek to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all! Across our 12 divisions and support services, we employ office staff, law enforcement officers, geologists, biologists, engineers, attorneys, communicators, managers, and so much more. Whatever your passion, we likely have a position to fit it and pathways for advancement! Working at ODNR is a special experience. Our employees are afforded opportunities to participate in public events at parks, nature preserves, wildlife areas, and annually at the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair! We routinely have Lunch and Learn events at our Assembly Center which are streamed on Teams Live as are monthly updates with our Director.

Job Description

We are seeking energetic, passionate people who are interested in wildlife conservation, law enforcement, and want to play a key role for the position of Wildlife Officer Cadet (12 positions) within the Division of Wildlife. To learn more about becoming a Wildlife Officer, including automatic disqualifiers, training requirements, and interview & selection procedures, please visit Becoming an Ohio Wildlife Officer.

Upon successful completion of training, cadets are placed into a Wildlife Officer position starting at $29.87 / hr (with multiple increases over 5.5 years of service, with an end salary of $39.62 / hr), headquartered in an assigned county to be determined after hire. Any applicant accepting an offer to this position will be required to physically reside in the assigned county.

What you will do Wildlife Officer Cadets receive extensive training to prepare them for a career as a Wildlife Officer. They attend an in-residence training academy for approximately 7 months to receive instruction on the organization and function of the agency and Division of Wildlife and law enforcement techniques. Upon graduation, and successfully completing the Wildlife Officer Cadet Academy, Wildlife Officers have statewide authority to enforce wildlife regulations, protect ODNR lands and waters, and are the visible face of the division. State wildlife officers contact thousands of people in the field, perform fish and wildlife surveys, speak about conservation programs, and provide technical advice and instruction about wildlife management issues, hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. As state law enforcement officers, they contribute to public safety in their local areas and Ohio's great outdoors. They receive instruction and are tested on fish and wildlife management techniques, surveys and sampling techniques, fish and wildlife identification, public relations, hunter safety, first aid, self-defense, and driving skills.

What's in it for you

• The starting pay for cadets in the academy is $25.44 / hr without any prior state service. Effective July 1, 2026, the starting pay is $26.20 / hr without any prior state service.
• Upon successful completion and graduation from the academy, cadets are promoted to Wildlife Officers with a starting salary range of $62,130 up to $82,410 / year (increases yearly after step 1), excluding supplements and overtime. Effective July 1, 2026, the starting salary range of $64,002 up to $84,885 / year.
• Medical insurance within 30 days, including wellness incentives plus Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
• Employer paid dental, vision, and life insurance coverage after one year of service.
• Additional benefits include : fitness pay, shift differential, uniform allowance, 22 days of paid military leave per year, vacation, sick and personal leave.
• Education benefits up to $5,000 annually for tuition, workshops, and seminars.
• Members of the Law Enforcement Public Employees Retirement System.
• Advancement opportunities to investigator and administrative ranks.
• Additional duty opportunities such as instructor, field training officer, canine handler, and honor guard team member.
• Additional benefits can be found at www.totalrewards.ohio.gov.

We are ready for you! We're glad you're interested in pursuing a rewarding career with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources! Exploring and protecting the natural beauty of Ohio will prove to be the most enjoyable career opportunity you will ever find. To learn more about the Division of Wildlife, please visit the Division of Wildlife.

Both Ohio Peace Officer Certified and Non-Certified applicants will be accepted.

Are you qualified? Associates degree or completion of undergraduate core program in certain areas. Do you have 18 months training or 18 months experience in any of the following : A natural resource area (e.g., fish and / or wildlife management), Criminal justice / law enforcement (i.e., police / corrections officer / environmental law enforcement), Military (e.g., military police, security forces, investigative services, intelligence), Or related fields to fish and / or wildlife management, criminal justice, environmental law enforcement. Must be able to pass fitness (push ups in 1 minute, sit ups in 1 minute, 1.5 miled timed run) and swim test (swim 100 yards in 5 minutes or less and tread water for a minimum of 5 minutes). Vision requirements Must have vision correctable to 20 / 20 binocular vision and moderate color vision is required. Hearing requirements Must have hearing correctable so as not to exceed 30 decibels of loss in each ear. Valid driver's license. Must be at least 21 years of age upon completing the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course (completion is tentatively scheduled for January 2027). Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Training and development required to remain in the classification after employment : Incumbent must serve as Wildlife Officer Cadet, 22290, for at least six months and graduate from Wildlife Officer Training Academy; must possess Ohio peace officer's training certificate and Wildlife Commission for consideration for reassignment to Wildlife Officer, 22292. Per Article 31.05 of Unit 2 Contract, must maintain agency required physical condition as outlined by department directive and pass any required medical examinations; must maintain OPOTC certification; must qualify for $1,000 surety bond if acts as agent of state in collecting of money; must qualify annually with firearms and related equipment.

Unusual working conditions : May be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year; exposed to inclement weather, search and rescue, floods and environmental hazards / wastes, law enforcement violators and training which may cause substantial physical harm or death; exposed to forest fires; exposed to violent situations.

Special Note : The Division of Wildlife has specific direction on tattoos and other body art or body modifications. Tattoos, body art or branding may not be visible while in uniform outside training functions. Wildlife Officer Cadet candidates who have body art, tattoos, or branding will need to have it / them reviewed by the law enforcement section prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment. Non-offensive tattoos may be approved if they can be covered but offensive tattoos are not allowed at all, anywhere, nor are tattoos below the wrist area, including the hands, fingers (except for a single, small ring or similar design on one finger per hand), or from the neck area and above. The applicant will not receive an offer of employment. Candidates may receive consideration for hire upon agreement to remove tattoos, body art, or branding, prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment. Intentional body modification to any area visible in any uniform or attire while on duty is prohibited. Body modifications could include but are not limited to : tongue splitting or bifurcation; abnormal shaping of