Guidance.help

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Under the title Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, workers study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. O*NET rates it as considerable preparation, which usually means a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. It leans on writing, speaking, and science. Expect to inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations. With a code of IRC, this is mostly a job for people drawn to research, analysis and working through hard problems. Realistic interests also help, rated 5.4 out of 7. You may also need to 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. It tends to suit people who want research, analysis and working through hard problems, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

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.

Main tasks

  • Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
  • Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
  • Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.

Skills

  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Science
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Complex Problem Solving

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on writing and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 2.3 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code IRC takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Also called

  • Aquatic Biologist
  • Conservation Biologist
  • Fish and Wildlife Biologist
  • Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist
  • Fisheries Biologist

Related careers

Is this your direction?

See how your interests line up with IRC and 906 other careers.

Take the career test

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.