Who We Are:

Agriculture may be the heart of Ohio, but at the Ohio Department of Agriculture we also keep Ohio fun and safe. ODA protects plants, animals, natural resources, and consumers across the state. We are a cabinet-level agency reporting to Governor DeWine and part of Ohio’s $124 billion food and agriculture industry. Beyond farming, ODA also plays a critical role in fairs, festivals, and amusement rides that bring families together across Ohio.

Our Reynoldsburg campus is home base, but our work extends to every county in the state. You’ll join a mission-driven team where people care about the work they do and the communities they serve

What We Do:

ODA’s Amusement Ride Safety Division makes sure Ohio’s fairs and amusement rides are safe and fun for everyone. Our inspectors are the people behind the scenes at county fairs, festivals, and the Ohio State Fair, verifying that rides and games are safe, skillful, and properly operate

Each year, we inspect more than 7,000 rides and concessions. From roller coasters to Ferris wheels to midway games, our team ensures that Ohio families can enjoy their favorite traditions with peace of mind. This is meaningful work where you can see the direct impact of your efforts every day.

What You’ll Do:

No ag background, no problem! You’ll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.

As an Amusement Ride and Game Inspector, you'll play a key role in keeping Ohio's fairs, festivals, and amusement parks safe and fun. In this role, you will:

• Inspect amusement rides and games to ensure they meet safety standards and are operated properly.

• Identify and correct safety issues, including stopping unsafe rides or suspending licenses when needed

• Conduct inspections throughout the season, from setup to re-checks during fairs and festivals.

• Monitor games and concessions to make sure they are fair, legal, and licensed.

• Investigate ride accidents or incidents to determine causes and prevent future issues.

• Work directly with fair boards, ride operators, and concession owners to explain and enforce safety rules.

• Provide public education on ride safety, including outreach to schools and local officials

• Stay current with latest ride technology through training seminars

• Support agency operations through reporting, recordkeeping, and occasional assistance with special projects.

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.

Why Join Us:

• Great Benefits: At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website!

• Paid Training: We'll teach you the skills to succeed.

• Travel & Variety: Your "office" is Ohio's fairs, parks, and festivals.

• Impact: Your work protects millions of Ohioans every year.

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of these principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 18 months experience in amusement ride maintenance, amusement ride safety inspection or amusement ride manufacturing, construction, manufacturer or maintenance
  
  Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, please notify the assigned recruiter.

Unusual Working Conditions:
Works outside; exposed to dangerous machinery, dirt, dust, fumes & oil; required to climb amusement rides during inspections; may work flexible hours & weekends. If assigned, must attend CPR training & become certified in CPR.

Training and Development Required to Remain in the Classification After Employment:
Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers (AIMS) training every 2 years, National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) training every 2 years; Certified Pool Operators (CPO) training every 5 years; Fall Arrest training every 5 years; must become CPR certified and attend CPR training every 2 years; Go Kart training every 2 years; Fall Protection Equipment Inspection training every 5 years; Basic First Aid Training every 5 years; Waterpark training every 2 years.

For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact:
Paul Hengstenberg
Paul.Hengstenberg@agri.ohio.gov

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free Workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.