Planning a Wildlife Career:
Wildlife Law Enforcement
Wildlife Officer
Wildlife Officer Supervisor
Wildlife Law Supervisor
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Wildlife Officer
 The position of a wildlife officer requires diverse skills and knowledge. It is one of the most demanding in the wildlife and law enforcement field; opportunities are limited and competition for openings is intense. The wildlife officer is quite often the only contact the public has with the Division of Wildlife. The acceptance of conservation programs and of regulations can often be enhanced by the actions of the wildlife officer. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals with a high work ethic, outstanding knowledge of the job, and of unquestionable character be selected for these positions.
Duties
Law Enforcement
Wildlife officers are commissioned state law enforcement officers who enforce laws of the Ohio Revised Code and Administrative Code relative to wildlife resources, property owned or administered by the Division of Wildlife and Ohio Department of Natural Resources, stream pollution and littering, certain firearms regulations, and all other areas of responsibility of the Division of Wildlife. Activities can include contact and inspection of hunters, anglers, trappers, and holders of various types of permits and licenses issued by the Division of Wildlife for compliance with regulations and patrol of state property designated as wildlife areas. Officers are empowered to investigate violations, make arrests, execute search warrants, prepare affidavits, and testify in court on behalf of the Division of Wildlife. They also serve a very important role as a point of contact with law enforcement and other agencies on topics of mutual interest and provide assistance and expertise when called upon due to their skills, training, specialized equipment, and knowledge of the areas in which they work.
Fish and Wildlife Management
Wildlife officers are required to have a working knowledge of current fish and wildlife management projects and be able to give advice and hands-on help when needed. They are often called upon when wild animals pose problems in populated areas, such as bear or deer, or when technical expertise is needed in dealing with a variety of situations. Other activities may include collecting information and samples by surveys, bag checks, censuses, and specimens. Wildlife officers often work directly with fish and wildlife biologists on a variety of projects.
Information and Education
Wildlife officers are frequently asked to speak at public functions in the community and around the state. Keeping the public informed of current wildlife activities and programs is a very important responsibility of the wildlife officer. Officers are available to help with classes, workshops, field trips or other events related to outdoor education, law enforcement, fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife identification, and conservation-related topics in their area of assignment. They actively work together with Division of Wildlife communications specialists and education staff.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
- Applicants must be 21 years of age upon successful completion of peace officer training
- Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license
- Applicants must have a minimum of an Associates Degree or competed the undergraduate core course work in wildlife, fisheries or natural resources management, environmental science, biology, criminal justice, law enforcement or related fields
- Applicants must successfully complete an intensive background investigation
- Applicants must pass a drug screening, psychological and physical exams, and polygraph test
- Applicants must be able to successfully meet physical fitness and swim standards that include upper body and core strength, aerobic exercise, distance running, swimming, and treading water
- An interest in hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife conservation, and other outdoor recreation is helpful
Essential Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills
A college education is necessary for the wildlife officer position. There are particular major fields of study that are acceptable. Other knowledge and experience that may benefit the applicant include agricultural, forestry, public speaking, and writing experience. Knowledge of the life histories, habitat, and conservation practices for fish and wildlife species common to Ohio is highly desirable. It is also helpful to have a thorough understanding of the methods used in hunting, fishing, and trapping, and the tools employed. The ability to develop and maintain working relationships with local law enforcement agencies and to work with conservation groups is essential. An applicant must be able to write and prepare records and reports clearly and work independently with limited supervision. Experience in using and maintaining firearms, boats, four-wheel drive trucks, and ATVs is helpful.
Career Opportunities
 Individuals hired as wildlife officers will enter service as a wildlife officer cadet. Cadets will complete 16 weeks of peace officer training for state law enforcement certification then complete approximately eight to nine weeks of advanced training in wildlife officer- specific instruction where they learn duties, skills, and situations common to the job. During this entire training period, cadets will reside at the training academy. Upon successful completion of the academy program and graduation, cadets are promoted to wildlife officers and may be assigned anywhere in the state. They will complete a six-month field training program working with experienced officers while they continue to learn the knowledge, skills, and duties of the job in their area of assignment. There are excellent promotional and advancement opportunities to the supervisor, investigator, and administrative ranks as well as opportunities to be a part of special groups or teams of officers such as the honor guard, training unit, and as a field training officer.
Salary and Benefits
Salary and benefits are commensurate with being a state of Ohio law enforcement employee. Wildlife officers are members of the Fraternal Order of Police and salary is set by a labor contract agreement with the state of Ohio. Cadets in training earn approximately $17.00 per hour and upon graduation, new officers will earn over $40,000 annually to start as the base pay. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision care, insurance, paid holidays, sick, vacation, and personal leave, an in-home office allowance, physical fitness supplement option, uniforms, longevity pay, and all other benefits relating to state employees.
Applications for the wildlife officer position are accepted only when it has been offered through a public posting. Applicants will have to initially meet the minimum qualifications in order to be invited to take the proficiency test.
If you would like more information or would like to speak to a wildlife officer, feel free to contact one of the district offices or the central office in Columbus for an appointment.
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Wildlife Officer Supervisor
 Supervises & directs wildlife officers (i.e., makes work assignments, completes performance evaluations, monitors & directs work activities, recommends approval/disapproval of leave, counsels employees & recommends discipline when necessary) in field operations, enforces departmental & state hunting, fishing, trapping laws, conducts surveillance & investigations of violations, makes arrests, serves summons & warrants, ensures enforcement of departmental policies & procedures & recommends changes in field policy to higher-level staff.
Prepares & maintains records & reports (e.g., monthly, investigation, vehicle); maintain vehicles & equipment; speaks to public & private organizations pertaining to wildlife; maintains contact with informants, courts, prosecutors, local, state & federal law enforcement agencies; instructs hunter & trapper safety programs; conducts game & fish management activities.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Commissioned as wildlife officer by Division of Wildlife of Department of Natural Resources; completion of ohio peace officer training commission course; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in supervision. The final applicant accepted for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis prior to appointment to test for illegal drug use. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment, per section 3719.01 & 3719.41 of ohio revised code.
-Or 2 yrs. exp. as wildlife officer investigator, 22293. The final applicant accepted for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis prior to appointment to test for illegal drug use. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment, per section 3719.01 & 3719.41 of ohio revised code.
-Or equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.
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Wildlife Law Supervisor
Supervises & directs district wildlife investigators in law enforcement programs & activities (e.g., hunter incident investigations; weapons offenses; pollution fish kill investigations; stream & private land litter investigations; state property protection; special investigations to include wildlife, pollution &/or ginseng violations; lake erie commercial fishing operations; lake erie sport fishing; illegal incursions of Canadian commercial fishing vessels); oversees & executes law enforcement program for all counties in assigned district, participates in development of division policies, procedures & regulations, oversees in-service law enforcement training for wildlife officers, in conjunction with wildlife officer supervisor, 22295, oversees district law enforcement activities & prepares & recommends amendments to district law enforcement program to include long range goals, special projects & participates in development of district budget. Monitors, reviews & compiles water craft reports & monthly / annual law enforcement reports and arrest reports; prepares monthly activity report & program progress report & annual district enforcement report; purchases law enforcement operational supplies; researches & purchases specialized equipment (e.g., boats; cameras; all-terrain vehicles; computers; global positioning systems; digital photography equipment); maintains & reviews equipment inventory reports.
Responds verbally, in writing, in-person &/or e-mail to information requests from general public, federal, state, county & municipal employees; explains &/or provides explanation of wildlife related sections of ohio revised code & ohio administrative code for general public, judges, prosecutors, attorneys &/or related legal staff; corresponds with adjoining state fish & wildlife agencies concerning legal interpretations, memorandums of understanding & joint agency law enforcement projects, game violations & multi-state training ventures; coordinates district law enforcement activities with other natural resource divisions, highway patrol, EPA &/or local police departments.
Monitors & initiates annual permit review process for bait dealers, game propagation operations, dog training grounds; fish food propagation, fur dealers, shooting preserves, hunting preserves (e.g., white oak hunting preserve; double “d” ranch), nuisance trappers &/or ohio river fishnets.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Commissioned as Wildlife Officer by Division of Wildlife of Department of Natural Resources; Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Commission course or equivalent; completion of undergraduate core wildlife related program (e.g., zoology, biology, ecology, botany, natural resources, conservation law enforcement); 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in supervisory principles & techniques.
-Or 60 mos. exp. as wildlife officer 2, 22292.
-Or 36 mos. exp. as wildlife officer investigator, 22293.
-Or 24 mos. exp. as wildlife officer supervisor, 22295.
-Or total of 60 mos. exp. in any of the above combined classifications.
-Or equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.
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