How to Become a Volunteer Range Safety Officer (RSO)

Share your passion for shooting sports

Create a safe, positive experience for shooters of all experience levels by becoming a volunteer Range Safety Officer (RSO). The range depends on dedicated volunteers to ensure everyone's experience is safe and welcoming. The more volunteers the range has, the more frequently the range will be open for the public. 

What is expected of an RSO: 

MDIFW ranges are available for public use, free of charge, when an authorized Range Safety Officer is on duty.  Daily schedules are split into morning and afternoon shifts, each about 4-hours long. Our volunteer RSOs fill these 4-hour shifts at the range to allow this public use as well as providing assistance to new users or serving as coaches during public firearms training programs hosted by the Department.

Typically, we ask for a commitment of at least two shifts per month from our volunteers.  However, we understand that life is filled with obligations as well as unexpected surprises and we can work with interested volunteers to ensure that schedules meet their personal needs, while providing service to the public. 

Our RSOs often share their firearms knowledge and experience and help provide supportive education to novice users, and the Department will often sponsor additional training opportunities for serving RSOs.  All volunteers are expected to adhere to Department policies and procedures for the Range as well as the RSO Code of Conduct.

How to become a Range Safety Officer: 

  • Request and complete an application
  • We will review your application and complete a background check.
  • Potential candidates will be required to complete at least two full shifts of orientation and training at the range before being eligible or the RSO training class. (This process allows for the opportunity for firsthand experience with the operations at the range to ensure that you wish to continue). 
  • Complete an NRA RSO Certification class, paid for by the Department.
  • Volunteer for scheduled shifts monthly. We request volunteers to complete a minimum of two shifts a month. Volunteers sign up for their time slots a month in advance. 

Please understand that Department ranges are designed for public use and volunteer RSOs are not allowed to use the range when the range is closed to the public nor allowed to use Department ranges for monetary benefit or personal gain. 

To learn more about becoming a volunteer RSO, please contact the Department's Shooting Range Coordinator:  Craig.I.Gerry@maine.gov or call 207-446-4249.