NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH (December 23, 2025) The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is proud to announce the early achievements of its Ranger Cadet Program, a workforce development initiative designed to recruit, train, and prepare the next generation of MWCD rangers. The Ranger Cadet Program provides a structured pathway for qualified candidates to enter the field of law enforcement in the natural resources environment as MWCD park rangers.
Participants are hired as full-time Ranger Cadets with benefits including health, vision, dental, life insurance and paid leave and begin paying into the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System as cadets. They are enrolled in a MWCD-approved Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) as part of their full-time employment. MWCD pays the tuition up front for OPOTA. Upon successful completion of the academy and passing of the state certification, cadets transition into full-time bargaining unit ranger positions across MWCD parks and lakes.
Since its adoption in February 2025, the program has resulted in the hiring of three Ranger Cadets who have successfully completed the required training and have now joined the MWCD team as full-time rangers.
Our first group of Ranger Cadets includes Cameron Ewing , Pleasant Hill Park Ranger, Wyatt Stanfield, Charles Mill Park Ranger and Brady Positano, Tappan Park Ranger. Rangers Ewing and Stanfield attended the OPOTA Academy at EHOVE Career Center in Milan, Ohio. Ranger Positano attended at the Buckeye Career Center OPOTA Academy.
“The success of our first three Ranger Cadets is a clear testament to the strength of the program and to the commitment of these individuals,” said Mary Burley, Chief of Human Resources. “This initiative not only enhances our ability to build a highly skilled ranger workforce but also strengthens MWCD’s long-term capacity to protect our natural resources and ensure an excellent visitor experience.”
MWCD’s investment in this program reflects a pillar of our 5 Year Strategic Plan “Strengthening our Workforce” specifically in the public safety services area in this case, while creating a sustainable pathway to hire future rangers. The success of the program demonstrates both the need for and the effectiveness of a structured, supportive career-entry model.
“We are committed to building a ranger staff that reflects professionalism, preparedness, and passion for our mission,” said Pete Novotny, MWCD Chief of Recreation. “The Ranger Cadet Program equips new hires with the training and real-world experience they need to succeed.”
With Rangers Ewing, Stanfield and Positano now successfully hired into full-time roles, MWCD looks forward to continuing the program and welcoming future applicants interested in blending law enforcement, natural resources education and outdoor recreation as a rewarding public service career!
For more information about the Ranger Cadet Program contact [email protected]. For information about other current employment opportunities at MWCD, visit mwcd.org/employment.
