Wildlife Officer Cadet - 12 Positions Located Throughout the State

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, & interview & selection procedures, please visit Becoming an Ohio Wildlife Officer. Click here to listen to the WilldOhio Podcast about becoming a State of 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.

• Attend an in-residence training academy for approximately 7 months to receive instruction on organization and function of agency and Division of Wildlife and law enforcement techniques (e.g., purpose and responsibility of wildlife officer; standards of ethics; law enforcement techniques; laws of arrest, court procedures; peace officer basic training instruction, firearms, all-terrain vehicle [ATV] and patrol truck operations, water survival, and related responsibilities);
• 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;
• Receives instruction and is tested on fish and wildlife management techniques (e.g., ecology; research; creel & bag checks; habitat management; specimen collection;
• 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 miniumum 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 the ears, eyes or nose; abnormal filing of the teeth; branding or scarification.

• Proficiency Test Administration:
  
  

Applicants determined to meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take a written proficiency test administrated by the Department of Natural Resources in February 2026. This test will cover areas of basic law enforcement (scope and authority, constitution, criminal code); biological sciences dealing with the studies of fish and wildlife and the associated management practices, hunting and fishing techniques, and the rules and regulations associated with the same; hunter safety; the ability to read, comprehend and write responses to situations. The highest scoring applicants will be invited to participate in a structured oral interview, which will be tentatively conducted in March/April 2026. Physical fitness and swim testing is tentatively scheduled in April 2026. In order to successfully pass the physical fitness and swim testing, applicants must meet the 30th percentile of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program (OPOTC) Fitness Testing Entry Standards.

In order for applicants (both Ohio peace officer certified and non-certified) to be considered for the Wildlife Officer Cadet position, they must meet the 30th percentile or higher of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program (OPOTC) Physical Fitness Standards in the three fitness events (sit-ups in 1 minute, push-ups in 1 minute, 1.5-mile run). Testing is tentatively scheduled for April 2026. To learn more about the fitness standards and testing procedures, please visit Becoming an Ohio Wildlife Officer. Offer/hire dates are tentatively set for August 2026.

Successful applicants will undergo an internal investigation, which consists of background checks of schools, employers, creditors and references. A physical examination, drug test, and psychological evaluation will be administered. Candidates that do not hold an OPOTA certification will be required to participate in an in-residence (Monday through Friday) training academy for approximately 22 weeks tentatively beginning August/September 2026. Candidates that hold an OPOTA certification will report to an assigned wildlife district office for duties involving all Division of Wildlife operations. All cadets will complete an in-residence wildlife officer pre-service training program specific to the Division of Wildlife for approximately 9 weeks tentatively beginning in January/February 2027.

Recruitment Timeline*

Job Posting Closes: January 11, 2026

Proficiency Exam: mid-February – late-February 2026

Interviews: late-March – early-April 2026

Swim Test: mid-April 2026

Background, Psychological, and Medical Processes: late-May – mid-June 2026

Offer: July 2026

Hire Date: August 2026

• Recruitment Timeline is approximate and dates can change
  
  

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment. This position is also subject to Federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) regulations that prohibit someone to carry, transport, or otherwise possess firearm(s) and/or ammunition from consuming marijuana, including medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is prohibited as a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test for final applicants in this position.

STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS: Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] user profile at careers.ohio.gov, and selecting "My Profile".

18 mos. trg. or 18 mos. exp. (e.g., military occupational specialty &/or duty assignments) in the United States military (e.g., US Army Military Police (Provost Marshal) or Criminal Investigation Division, US Air Force Security Forces or Office of Special Investigations, US Navy Master-at-Arms or Naval Criminal Investigative Service; US Marine Corps Military Police or Criminal Investigation Division, Army Counter Intelligence, US Coast Guard Investigative Services); must be able to swim 100 yards in 5 minutes or less; tread water for a minimum of 5 minutes; valid driver's license; must be 21 years of age upon completion of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course, per Section 124.41 Ohio Revised Code.

• Or 18 mos. trg. or 18 mos. exp. natural science (e.g., fish &/or wildlife management), or criminal justice, environmental law enforcement or related fields; must be able to swim 100 yards in 5 minutes or less; tread water for a minimum of 5 minutes; valid driver's license; must be 21 years of age upon completion of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course, per Section 124.41 Ohio Revised Code.
• Or completion of associates core program in natural science (e.g., fish &/or wildlife management) or , criminal justice, environmental law enforcement or related fields; must be able to swim 100 yards in 5 minutes or less; tread water for a minimum of 5 minutes; valid driver's license; must be 21 years of age upon completion of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course, per Section 124.41 Ohio Revised Code.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above. NOTE: Applicant must successfully pass background check by appointing authority, which includes polygraph, psychological & medical examination. Per Article 31.05 of Unit 2 Contract, applicant must be able to perform the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program (OPOTC) Fitness Testing Entry Standards Per Ohio Department of Natural Resources Directive. The final applicant accepted for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointment. An applicant with positive test results will not be offered employment per Section 123:1-76-09 Ohio Administrative Code.
  
  

Job Skills: Law Enforcement

Organization

Natural Resources

Agency Contact Name and Information

hr@dnr.ohio.gov or 614-265-6808

Unposting Date

Jan 11, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

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

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

Unit 2

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

Who we are:

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.