Address
Form of work** This POSTING IS FOR COMMISSIONED APPLICANTS **
Who we are:
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is committed to its mission "To ensure a balance between wise use & protection of our Natural Resources for the benefit of all." Our agency embraces the insightful use of our Natural Resources to assure the continued safety, happiness & prosperity of Ohio's people.
ODNR owns & manages state parks, state forests, state nature preserves & wildlife areas. We license all hunting, fishing and watercraft; oversee & permit all mineral extraction, monitor dam safety, manage water resources & serve as the second largest Law Enforcement presence in the State of Ohio.
We are accepting applications for Natural Resources Officer (multiple positions) within the Division of Parks & Watercraft. To learn more about becoming a Natural Resources Officer, including automatic disqualifiers, commission requirements, application process, & interview & selection procedures, please visit Becoming an Ohio Natural Resources Officer.
Northwest District covering counties of Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood
East Harbor State Park, 1169 N Buck Rd, Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440 (Ottawa county)
Harrison Lake State Park, 26246 Harrison Lake Rd, Fayette, OH 43521 (Fulton county)
Mary Jane State Park, 1466 State Route 65, McClure, OH 43534 (Henry county)
Maumee State Forest,12431-12693 Ohio 64, Swanton, OH 4355 (Lucas county)
Maumee Bay State Park, 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon, OH 43616 (Lucas county)
What you will do...
Natural Resources Officers receive extensive training to prepare them for their career.
- Perform law enforcement tasks such as patrolling and enforcing laws on state waterways, state parks, state forests and scenic river and natural preserves.
- Conduct safety inspections on recreational vessels as well as educate the public, recreation and conservation groups regarding watercraft use and safety.
- Provide media interviews, as well as present information & education programs regarding vessel safety and Natural Resources conservation.
What's in it for you...
- The starting pay for officers is $27.22/hr without any prior state service - salary range of $56,618 up to $72,197/year (increases yearly after step 1), excluding supplements & overtime.
- Medical insurance within 30 days, including wellness incentives plus Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
- Employer paid dental, vision & 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 & personal leave.
- Education benefits up to $5,000 annually for tuition, workshops & seminars.
- Members of the Law Enforcement Public Employees Retirement System.
- Advancement opportunities to investigator & administrative ranks.
- Additional duty opportunities such as instructor, field training officer, canine handler, & 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 Parks & Watercraft, please visit Parks & Watercraft.
** This POSTING IS FOR COMMISSIONED APPLICANTS **
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:
o A Natural Resources area (e.g., parks & recreation, environmental, or natural science)
o Criminal justice/law enforcement (i.e., corrections officer)
o Military (e.g., military police, security forces, investigative services, intelligence)
- Must be able to pass fitness and swim test
- Valid driver's license
- Successful completion of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course or Ohio Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Academy Course
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
Recruitment Timeline
Job Posting Closes: December 31, 2023
Fitness Testing: late January - early February 2024
Interviews: late February - early March 2024
Swim Test: early April 2024
Background, Psychological, and Medical Processes: early March - mid June 2024
Offer: mid June 2024
Hire Date: mid July 2024
*Recruitment Timeline is approximate and dates can change
Official Position Description:
Natural Resources Officers (NRO) receive extensive training in laws & regulations related to general & Natural Resources law enforcement. NRO's participate in ODNR specific law enforcement training such as parks law enforcement, watercraft law enforcement, forestry laws, natural area laws, accident investigation, search & rescue procedures, boat & pursuit operation, and water rescue techniques. They also receive instruction on uniform regulations & officers code of ethics. During training NRO's operate state-owned vehicles, watercraft, trucks, trailers, & all-terrain vehicles. Employees in this position are required to maintain physical fitness standards set forth by the agency directive.
During the course of training, NRO's attend guest lectures & discussion sessions and complete exams & in-service training for all classes & practical exams attended. All NRO's also receive extensive instruction in public & human relations in the areas of public speaking, skill development instruction, lesson plan development & student performance objectives.
NRO's will spend time assisting other commissioned officers with various law enforcement tasks such as patrolling assigned areas, assisting with arrests & investigations, conducting safety inspections on recreational vessels, and presenting public information & education programs.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED TO REMAIN IN THE CLASSIFICATION AFTER EMPLOYMENT: Per Article 31.05 of Unit 2 Contract, must maintain agency required physical condition as outlined by department directive & 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.
UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: May be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year; exposed to inclement weather, search & rescue, floods & environmental hazards/wastes, law enforcement violators & training which may cause substantial physical harm or death; exposed to forest fires; exposed to violent situations.
Special Note:
The Division of Parks & Watercraft has specific direction on tattoos & other body art or body modifications. Tattoos, body art or branding, which do not professionally represent a Natural Resources Officer or are offensive in nature are not permitted. Natural Resources Officer candidates who have body art, tattoos, or branding will need to be reviewed by the law enforcement section prior to receiving a conditional 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 filling of the teeth; branding or scarification.
In order for applicants to be considered for the Natural Resources Officer, they must meet the 50th percentile pursuant to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Fitness Testing Standards which is tentatively scheduled for late January - early February 2024. To learn more about the fitness standards and testing procedures, please visit Becoming an Ohio Natural Resources Officer.
Applicants who pass the fitness testing entry standards will be invited to participate in a structured oral interview, which will be tentatively conducted in late February - early March 2024. Swim testing is tentatively scheduled in early April 2024.
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. Offer/hire dates are tentatively set for July 2024.
Voluntary Practice Physical Fitness Testing
***If interested in attending a voluntary practice physical test from the list below, please send an e-mail to hr@dnr.ohio.gov no later than Tuesday, December 12 at 12:00 pm with the date/location/time to confirm your attendance
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Westlake Recreation Center, 28955 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake, Ohio 44145, 6:00am-11:00am
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Troy YMCA-Robinson Branch, 3060 S. Co. Rd. 25-A, Troy, Ohio 45373, 5:00pm-8:00pm
OR
Owens Community College, Student Health and Activity Center, 7315 Championship Dr., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Friday, December 15, 2023
- Logan High School Chieftain Center, 14470 SR 328, Logan, Ohio 43138, 11:00am-2:00pm
Saturday, December 16, 2023
- Ohio Wesleyan University - Gordon Field House, 105 S. Sandusky St., Delaware, Ohio 43015, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Sunday, December 17, 2023
- Countryside YMCA, 699 Deerfield Rd., Lebanon, Ohio 45036, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Voluntary Practice Swim Testing - Thursday, December 14, 2023
Ohio State Highway Patrol, 740 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
***If interested in attending the voluntary practice swim test, please send an e-mail to hr@dnr.ohio.gov with three timeslots of interest. Confirm your attendance no later than Tuesday, December 12 at 12:00 pm
Timeslots available: 9:00 am,10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
Learn More
Any questions about the NRO position or to set up a ride along, please send an e-mail to NRORecruitment@dnr.ohio.gov.
Job Skills: Law Enforcement, Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, Criminology/Criminal Justice, Listening, Building Trust, Customer Focus, Time Management, Verbal Communication
Successful completion of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Council Course or Ohio Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Academy Course; must be 21 yrs. of age per Section 124.41 Ohio Revised Code; valid driver's license; must be able to continuously swim 300 yards in 12 minutes or less, continuously tread water for 5 minutes, perform a surface dive & retrieve object in a minimum of 5 feet of water from water treading position; Completion of associate core program in Natural Resources area (parks & recreation, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, environmental, conservation biology, or criminal justice/law enforcement or 18 months training or experience in Natural Resources area (parks & recreation, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, environmental, conservation biology, or criminal justice/law enforcement 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, Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, Criminology/Criminal Justice, Listening, Building Trust, Customer Focus, Time Management, Verbal Communication
