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Career Exploration

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Also called: Conservation Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries Biologist, Wildlife Biologist

What they do:

Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

On the job, you would:
  • Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
  • Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
  • Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • biology
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Safety and Government

  • law and government

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Math

  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Investigative

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Initiative
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Geographic information system

  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Analytical or scientific software

  • SAS
  • Statistical software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $67,430

Education

Bachelor's degree or master's degree is usually needed.