Wildlife Officer Cadet - State

Organization

Natural Resources

United States of America – OHIO – Franklin County – Columbus

Summit County – Akron;
Athens County – Athens;
Hancock County – Findlay;
Greene County – Xenia

Job Description – Wildlife Officer Cadet – 12 Positions Located Throughout the State (250008NT)

Compensation: $25.44/hr (effective July 1 2026: $26.20/hr). Upon successful completion of training, cadets are promoted to Wildlife Officer with starting salary $62,130–$82,410/year (effective July 1 2026: $64,002–$84,885/year).

Schedule:

Full‑time; hours may vary; schedule covers 24/7 on‑call duties.

Union:
Unit 2.

• Attend approximately 7 months of residency training academy covering agency organization, law enforcement techniques, wildlife management, firearms, ATV & patrol truck, water survival, and other responsibilities.
• Upon graduation, receive statewide authority to enforce wildlife regulations, protect ODNR lands and waters, and engage the public with conservation programs.
• Perform fish and wildlife surveys, provide technical advice on hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.
• Apply law enforcement skills, including courts, arrest, and public safety duties.
• Conduct fish and wildlife identification, habitat management, species sampling, creel checks, and specimen collection.
• Employ public relations, hunter safety, first aid, self‑defense, and driving skills.

• Associate degree or completion of undergraduate core program in natural science, criminal justice, environmental law enforcement, or related field.
• 18 months training or experience in natural resources, criminal justice/law enforcement, military, or related field.
• Must pass fitness test (push‑ups 1 min, sit‑ups 1 min, 1.5‑mile run) and swim test (100 yd swim ≤ 5 min, 5 min tread water).
• Vision correctable to 20/20 binocular vision; color vision required.
• Hearing no more than 30 dB loss per ear.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be at least 21 years old upon completion of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course (tentatively Jan 2027).
• U.S. citizenship.
• Must hold or be able to obtain Ohio Peace Officer Training Program (OPOTC) certification.

Incumbent must serve as Wildlife Officer Cadet for at least six months and graduate from the Wildlife Officer Training Academy. Must maintain OPOTC certification, satisfy physical condition standards, and qualify for annual firearms certification.

• Medical insurance within 30 days; wellness incentives; FSA or HSA.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance after one year.
• Uniform allowance, fitness pay, shift differential, 22 days paid military leave per year.
• Vacation, sick and personal leave.
• Education benefits up to $5,000 annually for tuition, workshops and seminars.
• Law Enforcement Public Employees Retirement System participation.
• Advancement opportunities to investigator and administrative ranks.
• Additional duty opportunities: instructor, field training officer, canine handler, honor guard team member.
• See full benefits at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Job Posting Closes:
  January 11 2026.
• Proficiency Exam: mid‑Feb–late‑Feb 2026.
• Interviews: late‑Mar–early‑Apr 2026.
• Swim Test: mid‑Apr 2026.
• Background, Psychological, and Medical Processes: late‑May–mid‑Jun 2026.
• Offer:
  
  July 2026.
• Hire Date:
  August 2026.

* Recruitment timeline is approximate and dates may change.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State. All qualified applicants are encouraged to submit a request for reasonable accommodation. The position is part of Ohio’s drug‑free workplace policy; marijuana use disqualifies applicants.