Program

Associate of Applied Science in Natural Resources Law Enforcement

The Natural Resources Law Enforcement program prepares you for emergency service and visitor assistance careers in the natural resources field. The program is designed to teach the skills necessary to protect life and resources from harm in federal, state, local, and privately-held parklands, natural areas, recreational sites, and managed resource areas. Rangers frequently engage in law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medicine, fire fighting, visitor and user assistance, resource management and education.

Program Outcomes

The following outcomes are skills, behaviors, and attitudes cultivated in students seeking the Associate of Applied Science in Natural Resources Law Enforcement program:

• Identify plants and animals with and without keys/field guides, and use basic life histories;
• Identify and classify crimes and enforce the law in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code or the Code of Federal Regulations;
• Interact and cooperate with the public, coworkers, and other public service agencies in a professional manner;
• Perform public service and crime prevention education;
• Maintain facilities and environments, and operate and maintain recreational area equipment;
• Pass the State of Ohio Peace Officer Certification exam or the City and Guilds of North America/London Certification exam;
• Communicate effectively, including the writing of investigative reports and the presentation of speeches, demonstrations, testimony, and interviews;
• Perform searches and seizures, arrests, and crime and accident scene investigations, and present in court;
• Keep and document the chain of evidence while processing a crime scene;
• Operate and maintain duty and emergency equipment such as firearms, vehicles, and rescue equipment;
• Use necessary math skills for computation and navigation;
• Act within the framework of the United States Constitution; and,
• Utilize the search and rescue function.

Curriculum

• 2011 Transition
• 2012 Curriculum

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Natural Resources Law Enforcement program are eligible for employment as park rangers at private, local, county, state, and federal levels. Job titles may include: park officer, law enforcement officer, environmental police officer, game protector and watercraft officer.

Depending upon each individual’s academic program, background and history of field experiences, entry-level salaries in the natural resources industry may range from $25,000 - $50,000 annually. A limited number of employers provide room, board, transportation, and uniforms.

Occupation Profile

Hocking College Career Services