ODNR OFFICER HIRING PROCESS

Positions posted:

ODNR will post the position(s) and applicants will be required to fill out an application. Applicants are then reviewed for minimum qualifications.

Pre-Screening:

• ODNR and the division(s) will review all applications for minimum qualifications.
• Applicants who meet the required minimum qualifications will be scheduled for the written test and/or physical ability assessment.

Written Examination: (Optional)

• The Department and/or Division may develop civil service examinations to test the knowledge of position related items.
• Applicants will normally be notified of their examination results by mail. The number of applicants processed further will be based on test score and the number of applicants needed to fill a training class.
• Applicants who test but are not selected for processing and training must retest in order to remain eligible for future classes if additional positions are not posted by the agency within twelve months or the next testing.
• The department may limit the number of applicants that continue in the process by selecting the candidates with the highest scores.

Interview Process:

The interview process may consist of a minimum qualification assessment and interview.

• Minimum Qualification Assessment:
  • The Ohio Department of Natural Resources may conduct assessments that directly apply to the ability of an officer to perform the duties as required by the position description. The MQ assessment may require a swim exercise(s) and other assessments that are based upon established standards. The applicant will be required to sign a waiver, prior to appearing for the assessment, relieving ODNR of any liability or responsibility for injury incurred while performing the tasks.
  • The Department and/or Division may elect to conduct the M.Q.A during Section VI. Background Investigation
• Interview
  • The department/division will conduct a formal structured interview with the applicant pursuant to the Departments Interview and Selection Procedure.

Screening Committee Review - Conditional Offer of Employment:

• Upon recommendation by the Screening Committee based upon the written examination results, physical ability assessment report, and interview results the Screening Committee will review the information and make an initial determination as to the applicant's suitability to proceed in the application process. A letter will inform the applicant within thirty days of the committee's decision.
• The recommended candidates will be given a conditional offer of employment. The applicant must acknowledge the conditions set forth in the offer prior to progressing to the background investigation phase.

Background Investigation:

The Department/Division will conduct a complete and thorough investigation of applicants to determine the applicant's suitability for employment as a Cadet Candidate, Officer in Training, or Officer positions. The background investigation will consist of the following:

• Optional time period for Minimum Qualification Assessment, section IV, 1. A division may elect to conduct the M.Q.A. part of the background.
  • Applicant will be fingerprinted and photographed.
  • Applicant will be required to take a polygraph examination.
  • Applicant will be required to take a psychological assessment:
  • Each applicant will be required to take a battery of psychological tests, which will last approximately two hours. A licensed psychologist will evaluate these tests.
  • Psychological Assessment Interview: Each applicant will be scheduled to participate in a personal interview with a licensed psychologist to discuss the results of the previous examinations. This interview will last approximately one hour.
  • Applicant will take a drug-screening test.
  • Background Investigation Report:
  • Applicant's family, friends, neighbors, present, and former employers, fellow employees, school officials, physicians, firms with which you have done business, courts, and local law enforcement agencies, etc. will be contacted as a part of this investigation. An in-depth interview will be held with you at a location of the investigator's choosing.
• The following occurrences in the background could result in the rejection of the application:
  • Intemperate use of alcohol
  • Anti-social behavior
  • Poor work record
  • Poor driving record. For instance, numerous crashes or numerous convictions for moving violations
  • Numerous debts that are not regularly being paid.
  • Applicant's background will be considered in terms of moral character, emotional stability, reputation in the community, and interest in serving people.
  • Non-compliance to law
  • Violations of any Federal or State Natural Resources violations including, but not limited to Parks, Fishing, Game and Vessel violations.
  • Failure of the Polygraph Examination
  • The following occurrences in the background will result in the rejection of the application:
• Felony conviction or felony conduct.
• Illegal use of drugs or conviction for drug-related violation as defined.
• An applicant who has used any illegal drug while employed in any law enforcement or prosecutorial position, or while employed in a position, which carries a high level of responsibility or public trust, will be found unsuitable for employment.
• An applicant who is discovered to have misrepresented his/her drug history in completing the application will be found unsuitable for employment.
• An applicant who has sold any illegal drug for profit at any time will be found unsuitable for employment.
• An applicant who has used any illegal drug (including anabolic steroids after February 27, 1991) other than marijuana, within the last ten years will be found unsuitable for employment.
• An applicant who has used marijuana within the past 12 months will be found unsuitable for employment.
• Currently have six or more active points on driving record.
• Lack of truthfulness- Falsification of any application, civil service, or background information.
• Acts of violence and or admissions of undetected crimes against person(s).
• Failure of the Psychological Assessment.

As a result of the background investigation, applicants may be asked to submit to a second polygraph examination to clarify areas of question. Questions asked during the polygraph examination may include any of the above-mentioned areas. Refusal to submit to any of the required elements of the background investigation when requested will result in the rejection of the application.

Screening Committee Review:

The completed background investigation and testing results will be presented to the Screening Committee, which will review the information and make a determination of the applicant's qualifications for employment as an ODNR Officer. Successful candidates will be scheduled for a medical examination. The applicant will be informed by letter within thirty days of the Committee's decision.

Medical Examination:

A complete medical examination will be conducted by a licensed physician to determine the applicant's fitness to perform the duties of an officer of ODNR and meet any other requirements of the training academy.

• Applicants will be required to meet the basic requirements partially outlined below.
  • Weight shall be in proportion to height in accordance with established recognized standards.
  • Vision requirements will be based in part on vision acuity, depth perception, and color perception. An applicant must have vision correctable to 20/20 binocular vision. Moderate color vision is required.
  • There are other physical, medical, and psychological conditions, which could affect the applicant's application.
  • The applicant may be required to furnish additional information from his/her own personal or other physician at his/her own expense.

Final Screening Committee Review:

• Be placed on standby and inserted into the class should a trainee exit the academy within the first week of training.
• If a need exists, be offered a Cadet Candidate/officer position until a future class begins, as determined by the employer.
• Be required to reapply.

Candidates who are accepted into Cadet Candidate positions will not need to reapply in order to be considered for a future training class, but will be required to maintain established physical and academic standards.

Those candidates who are not immediately placed as either a Cadet/Officer in Training/ Officer Candidate or Officer will be required to reapply in order to compete for a future class.

Written Notification:

Following the successful completion of the phases of the selection process the entire application package will be returned to the Screening Committee for their final determination as to the applicant's suitability for employment. The entire selection process generally takes from six to twelve weeks. The committee will make a recommendation to the Chief of the Division.

A letter of the Division Chief's final decision will inform applicants of their status.

Note: After the final ranking, those who are not selected for training due to a lack of available positions in an academy class may:

Applicants who fail to successfully complete any phase of the selection process will be notified, in writing, within 30 calendar days following the completion of that phase.