How to Become a Park Ranger in Ohio

Ohio officially formed its state park system in 1949.

The roots of Ohio’s state parks go back to the 19th century.

The state has long been recognized for its spectacular parks, with attendance at the parks, at times, surpassing visitor attendance at all other state parks.

Park rangers are an important part of keeping Ohio’s parks safe for people, for wildlife, and its natural resources.

They protect historical and cultural sites while providing an enjoyable experience for the millions of annual park visitors.

Learning how to become a park ranger is the first step towards starting a career that allows you to engage with the public, work outdoors, and protect Ohio’s parks.

Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Ohio

The requirements to become a park ranger in Ohio follow the guidelines of the regulations set by the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service to become a park ranger.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation merged with the Division of Watercraft several years ago.

People who want to become park rangers should check all the requirements for the position that they are interested in and its location before submitting their job application.

Some requirements to become an Ohio park ranger include:

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must be born in the U.S. or be a naturalized citizen of the U.S.
• Must have a college degree in natural resources enforcement, wildlife management, law enforcement, or similar areas
• Must pass the standardized Ohio physical agility test
• Must pass a background check that includes a criminal records check, employment, and financial check
• Must submit to drug testing whenever asked to do so

Applicants must be able to swim a minimum of 300 yards in 12 minutes or less and perform a surface dive.

They must complete the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course through an approved Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Academy.

The training is offered at schools throughout the state.

Park Ranger Duties in Ohio

The duties of park rangers in Ohio depend somewhat on the park where they work.

Some parks have more rugged areas, while others have more serene landscapes.

The basic duties of Ohio park rangers include:

• Patrolling parks and waterways on foot or in a vehicle
• Assisting with all areas of daily park duties
• Issuing citations for park violations
• Performing visitor service operations, such as education programs
• Assisting with medical emergencies and other emergencies
• Fee collections, basic accounting duties
• Writing reports

Other law enforcement duties as required by the park ranger position

State Parks in Ohio

Ohio has 75 state parks that offer scenic landscapes, captivating waterways, and perfect rock-climbing destinations.

State parks in Ohio feature 1,000 miles of campgrounds, trails, boating facilities, beaches, cabins, lodges, and many other opportunities to enjoy parks and recreation.

Buckeye Lake was Ohio’s first state park.

The 3,100-acre lake attracts many people to the park.

They enjoy a variety of water sports.

Visitors also enjoy hiking, hunting, picnicking, and visiting the wetland area.

Fox Island State Park stretches across 600 acres in Southwest Ohio.

The captivating landscapes, pristine wetlands, forest areas, and beaches are some attractions for park visitors.

People enjoy the diverse habitats of the park.

Shawnee State Park sits within the 60,000-acre Shawnee State Forest.

The park and forest are part of the original hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians.

The rugged beauty of the park, partly created by changes in the terrain, the wooded hills, and the forest wildlife, is the attractions that bring visitors to this park.

Some other Ohio State Parks include:

• Blue Rock State Park
• Cleveland Lakefront State Park
• Forked Run State Park
• Grand Lake State Park
• John Bryan State Park
• Malabar Farm State Park
• Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
• Paint Creek State Park
• South Bass Island State Park

1 Hocking College

People who want to work as park rangers in Ohio must complete the required degree.

People who work in national parks need to have a Bachelor’s degree.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources indicates that natural resource officers only need to have an associate’s degree in law enforcement or in a natural resources area.

The degree may be in parks and recreation, wildlife management, forestry, or the natural sciences.

Hocking College offers a five-semester Natural Resources Law Enforcement program.

Students complete courses that include Introduction to Natural Resources Law Enforcement, Wildlife Techniques, Field Equipment Operations, Wilderness First Aid and Survival, and Natural Resources Practicum.

Contact Information

• Address: 3301 Hocking Pkwy, Nelsonville, OH 45764, United States
• Phone: +1 740-753-3591
• Website: Visit School Website

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2 Ohio University

Ohio University offers a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation and Education.

Students complete courses such as Outdoor Recreation and Education, Parks and Protected Areas Management, and Concepts and Issues in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies.

Some elective courses include Rock Climbing Rescue, Caving, and Wilderness Navigation.

Students who want to complete a certificate program may want to complete the 18-credit Environmental Studies Sustainability and Resilience Undergraduate Certificate at Ohio University.

Some courses include Landscape Ecology, Appalachia: Land and People, and Environmental Law.

Contact Information

• Address: Athens, OH 45701, United States
• Phone: +1 740-593-1000
• Website: Visit School Website

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3 Ohio State University

The Ohio State University has a Bachelor’s degree program in Natural Resource Management.

Students take courses in land management, which are related to the natural environment, wildlife, and environmental systems.

Park rangers in Ohio must complete the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course.

Academies and colleges that offer the training are located throughout the state.

Contact Information

• Address: 1590 N High St #300, Columbus, OH 43201, United States
• Phone: +1 614-247-6947
• Website: Visit School Website

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Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	Hocking College
	#2	Ohio University
	#3	Ohio State University

Park Ranger Salary in Ohio

The average salary for park rangers in Ohio is $35,298.

Most park rangers earn around $41,000.

Rangers who have higher education, training, and experience will earn a higher salary.

Find Park Ranger Career Guides by State

About Chelsea Wilson Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LLM degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.