Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Aquatic Biologist, Conservation Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist, Fisheries Biologist, Forest Wildlife Biologist, Habitat Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, Zoologist
You will be leaving O*NET OnLine to visit our sister site My Next Move. You can return by using the Back button in your browser, or by choosing “O*NET OnLine” from the O*NET Sites menu at the bottom of any page in My Next Move.
You will be leaving O*NET OnLine to visit our sister site My Next Move for Veterans. You can return by using the Back button in your browser, or by choosing “O*NET OnLine” from the O*NET Sites menu at the bottom of any page in My Next Move for Veterans.
Saldrá de O*NET OnLine para visitar nuestro sitio afiliado Mi Próximo Paso. Puede regresar usando el botón Atrás en su navegador, o eligiendo “O*NET OnLine” en el menú Sitios O*NET en la parte inferior de cualquier página en Mi Próximo Paso.
Tasks
-
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.
-
Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
-
Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
-
Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
-
Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
-
Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
-
Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
-
Conduct literature reviews.
-
Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.
-
Coordinate preventive programs to control the outbreak of wildlife diseases.
-
Prepare collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of development or disease.
-
Collect and dissect animal specimens and examine specimens under microscope.
back to top
Technology Skills
-
Analytical or scientific software — Computer modeling software; HATPRO; SAS
![Hot technology](/shared/image/logos/hot_tech.svg)
; Statistical software
-
Data base user interface and query software — Database management software; Microsoft Access
![Hot technology](/shared/image/logos/hot_tech.svg)
; Relational database software
-
Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook
-
Geographic information system — ESRI ArcGIS software
![In-Demand Hot technology](/shared/image/logos/hot_demand.svg)
; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS software; Geographic information system GIS systems
-
Internet browser software — Web browser software
-
Mobile location based services software — Global positioning system GPS software
-
Object or component oriented development software — Python
![Hot technology](/shared/image/logos/hot_tech.svg)
; R
-
Office suite software — Corel WordPerfect Office Suite; Microsoft Office software
-
Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
-
Project management software — Microsoft Project
-
Spreadsheet software — IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel
-
Web platform development software — Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
-
Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.
back to top
Work Activities
-
Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
-
Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
-
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
-
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
-
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
-
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
-
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
-
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
-
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
-
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
-
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
-
Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
-
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
-
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
-
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
-
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
-
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
-
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
-
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
-
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
-
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
-
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
-
Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
-
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
-
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
-
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
-
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
back to top
Detailed Work Activities
-
Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
-
Measure environmental characteristics.
-
Communicate with the public on environmental issues.
-
Plan biological research.
-
Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
-
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
-
Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.
-
Research diseases or parasites.
-
Research genetic characteristics or expression.
-
Direct fundraising or financing activities.
-
Implement advertising or marketing initiatives.
-
Manage organizational or project budgets.
-
-
Assess compliance with environmental laws.
-
Coordinate safety or regulatory compliance activities.
-
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
-
Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
-
Analyze biological samples.
-
Collect biological specimens.
back to top
Work Context
-
Electronic Mail — 92% responded “Every day.”
-
Telephone — 62% responded “Every day.”
-
Face-to-Face Discussions — 55% responded “Every day.”
-
Contact With Others — 52% responded “Constant contact with others.”
-
Work With Work Group or Team — 67% responded “Extremely important.”
-
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 60% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
-
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 51% responded “Some freedom.”
-
Coordinate or Lead Others — 46% responded “Extremely important.”
-
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 22% responded “Important.”
-
Freedom to Make Decisions — 65% responded “Some freedom.”
-
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 38% responded “Very high responsibility.”
-
Deal With External Customers — 39% responded “Very important.”
-
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 36% responded “Very important results.”
-
Frequency of Decision Making — 32% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
-
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — 35% responded “Very high responsibility.”
-
Spend Time Sitting — 44% responded “About half the time.”
-
Duration of Typical Work Week — 71% responded “40 hours.”
-
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — 41% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
-
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 35% responded “Very important.”
-
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 41% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
-
Time Pressure — 48% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
-
Physical Proximity — 31% responded “I work with others but not closely (e.g., private office).”
-
Level of Competition — 24% responded “Extremely competitive.”
-
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled — 30% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
-
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 29% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
back to top
Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Related Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
- Job Zone Examples
- Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
- SVP Range
- (7.0 to < 8.0)
back to top
Training & Credentials
- State training
-
- Local training
-
- Certifications
-
back to top
Apprenticeship Opportunities
back to top
Skills
-
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
-
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
-
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
-
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
-
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
-
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
-
Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
-
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
-
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
-
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
-
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
-
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
-
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
-
Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
-
Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
-
Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
-
Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
-
Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
-
Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
-
Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
-
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
-
Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
back to top
Knowledge
-
Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
-
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
-
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
-
Geography — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
-
Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
-
Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
-
Communications and Media — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
-
Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
back to top
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
-
responded:
Bachelor’s degree required
-
responded:
Master’s degree required
-
responded:
Post-doctoral training required
back to top
Abilities
-
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
-
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
-
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
-
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
-
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
-
Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
-
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
-
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
-
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
-
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
-
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
-
Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
-
Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
-
Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
-
Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
-
Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
-
Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
-
Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
-
Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
-
Time Sharing — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
back to top
Interests
-
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
-
Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
back to top
Work Values
-
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
-
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
-
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
back to top
Work Styles
-
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
-
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
-
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
-
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
-
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
-
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
-
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
-
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
-
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
-
Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
-
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
-
Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
-
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
-
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
-
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
back to top
Wages & Employment Trends
- Median wages (2023)
- $33.94 hourly, $70,600 annual
- State wages
-
- Local wages
-
- Employment (2022)
- 19,100 employees
- Projected growth (2022-2032)
-
Average (2% to 4%)
- Projected job openings (2022-2032)
- 1,500
- State trends
-
- Top industries (2022)
-
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data
external site and 2022-2032 employment projections
external site.
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2022-2032). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
back to top
Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
-
- Local job openings
-
back to top
back to top
Professional Associations
Disclaimer:
Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries.
Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Actively assisted with the O*NET data collection, helping to identify occupational experts who can be surveyed about their work in the occupation.
View the list of Allies
National Associations
Regional Associations
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions
back to top