• Visitor Service Technician (Seasonal Ranger) April – October
• Year Round Part-Time Service Ranger – Year-round,
  up to 32 hours week
• Full Time Service Ranger

If you are interested in applying for one of the positions above, you may apply online or stop by one of our offices and pick up an application. Minimum qualifications are listed below.

Minimum Qualification

• Successfully completed the Ohio Basic Police Officer Certification
• At lease 21 years of age
• Valid Ohio Drivers License with a good driving record
• Natural Resources background preferred for full time
  and year round positions

Life Flight Helicopter at Operation Open Heart

Rangers are available and on patrol year round. To contact the Ranger Department, please call the District office at 1-800-LCM-PARK or (440)458-5121 and a ranger will be dispatched to assist you. If you need assistance after 4:30 p.m. please contact the Lorain County Sheriff Department at 323-1212 and they will dispatch a ranger to your location. If you need assistance at the Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation please call the Amherst Police Department at 988-2625. In all cases, if you have an emergency, call 911 and a Ranger will be dispatched.

What to Report?
Violations of Park Rules, criminal activity, suspicious activity, or any other park problems requiring a Metro Park officer’s attention, whether it is an emergency or non-emergency should be reported. If non-emergency – call the District Office.

What does the Park District need when I report a crime
or problem?
The dispatcher will get as much information from you as possible so that it may be relayed to the responding Officer or Park Manager. A phone number may be requested in order to get more information if needed. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

Patrol Vehicles
The Rangers use different types of patrol vehicles such as, pick-up trucks, Jeeps, ATV, or all terrain vehicles and a three wheeled one person vehicle called a Cushman. The vehicles that we use are all marked with the Metro Park logo, Ranger emblems and red and blue lights. The District has several watercrafts that are used to patrol the waterways within the Park District.

Bike Patrol
The bike patrol is utilized so that we can make contact with park visitors in a more personable manner. The bikes also allow us to access areas of the parks that we normally could not go with a patrol vehicle.

Foot Patrol
Foot patrol is another way that we can access park areas that we normally could not check from a patrol vehicle. The District has a lot of areas that are not developed with any roadways, thus foot patrol of these lands and trails is the only way of patrolling.

You carry a gun, are you like a police officer?
Yes. All of the Rangers must complete a state certified law enforcement academy, the same academies that your local police officers must attend. Upon completion of the academies, Rangers are then sworn peace officers with full police powers, including the authority to arrest.

If I need a Ranger in the Lorain County Metro Parks for an emergency, how do I contact them?
There are two ways in which to contact a Ranger for an emergency situation. The first being through the Metro Parks headquarters office at 1 800 LCM-PARK or (440) 458-5121, during the hours of 8:00AM – 4:30PM, seven days a week. The second being through the Lorain County Sheriff Department at (440) 323-1212, or for a true emergency you can dial 911 and we will be dispatched accordingly.

If I stop a Ranger and ask him/her about a plant or an animal, will they be able to help me?
Many of our Rangers have degrees in natural resources and yes they should be able to answer your plant or animal question. Rangers also attend training seminars put on by Ohio Department of Natural Resources so that they can learn more about our natural resources. If a Ranger cannot answer your natural resource type question, they will be able to direct you to someone who can.

I found an injured hawk, can I bring it to the park to have it treated?
The Lorain County Metro Parks does not maintain a rehabilitation clinic for wild animals. The rangers and naturalists work closely with local veterinarians and animal rehabilitators. You may call during business hours and speak to a naturalist who can give you some assistance on how to best handle the situation

Are Lorain County Metro Park Rangers the same as Wildlife or Watercraft Officers?
No, they are not exactly the same, but some of our job duties are similar. The Metro Parks currently have only one public hunting area where rabbit and pheasant hunting is allowed during open season. Rangers check hunting and fishing licenses, proper weapon handling, and game/fish limits. Anytime someone violates game/fish or watercraft laws on Metro Parks property, citations, or arrests can be made by the Metro Parks Rangers.

I want to be a Ranger, how do I go about doing that?
You can apply on-line or go to any of our offices and pick up an application. Full time Rangers at Lorain County Metro Parks are now required to have an associate degree (or equivalent) in a natural resource area and also be a graduate of an Ohio State certified law enforcement academy. Once you become a Ranger your schooling and training do not stop. All Rangers attend refresher and law enforcement classes with other police departments and other Ranger departments from around the state.

I have a sick raccoon in my backyard, can I call a ranger to come and remove it?
The wildlife in the state of Ohio is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. If you have a wild animal on your property that needs attention please contact our local law enforcement agency that will contact the Wildlife Officer if necessary.