Wildlife Officer Cadet - State

Wildlife Officer Cadet - 12 Positions

Organization:
Natural Resources Agency Contact Name and Information: hro.gov or

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

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.

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.

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.

• 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 alrewards.ohio.gov.

We are ready for you!…