What does a Fish And Wildlife Biologist do?
A fish and wildlife biologist is an expert when it comes to wildlife and aquatic life. As a biologist, it is their duty to conduct studies and help in improving its conditions by recommending and enforcing policies. They typically gather and analyze samples through laboratory and scientific procedures, conduct observations and documentation, and work together with other experts and specialists. There are many opportunities for a biologist as they may work for private companies and government agencies. They may also teach in learning institutions.
Fish and wildlife biologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real fish and wildlife biologist resumes:
- Manage all aspects of range finding, testing and data assembly for GLP laboratory contract for state and federal pesticide regulation.
- Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
- Work for EPA government contractor.
- Experience using Garmin Trimble units, Garmin hand hold GPS units.
- Organize and run GIS committee to review GIS current and future uses with observer data.
- Organize and participate in elk population helicopter survey, utilizing census data to determine big game harvest values for upper management.
- Analyze and collect species composition data using random sampling methods as described by NMFS standard operating procedure.
Fish and wildlife biologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Fish And Wildlife Biologists are proficient in Species ACT, Natural Resources, and Water ACT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Emotional stamina and stability, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Fish And Wildlife Biologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Species ACT, 16%
Conducted a diversity of activities related to compliance with the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
- Natural Resources, 13%
Complete and submit permit applications to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), U.S. Army Corps.
- Water ACT, 12%
Enforced Clean Water Act Section 404; delineated wetlands and made jurisdictional determinations in Central and Northern Mississippi
- Environmental Policy, 11%
Conducted technical & regulatory environmental reviews of nuclear power plants under the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Harvest, 4%
Reviewed Forest Practice Applications for timber harvest on private forest land to evaluate compliance with fish habitat protection measures.
- Data Collection, 4%
Participated in numerous fisheries research projects including development, data collection and statistical analysis, and editing of final reports.
Most fish and wildlife biologists use their skills in "species act," "natural resources," and "water act" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential fish and wildlife biologist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a fish and wildlife biologist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what fish and wildlife biologists do because "zoologists and wildlife biologists write about and present their research to the public, policymakers, and academic audiences." Additionally, a fish and wildlife biologist resume shows how fish and wildlife biologists use communication skills: "disseminated research findings through oral and written communication in academic, professional, and interagency settings. "
Interpersonal skills. fish and wildlife biologists are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to fish and wildlife biologist responsibilities, because "zoologists and wildlife biologists typically work on teams and must be able to work effectively with others." A fish and wildlife biologist resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "conducted creel surveys utilizing interpersonal skills, data entry skills, and organizational skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a fish and wildlife biologist to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what fish and wildlife biologists relies on this skill, since "zoologists and wildlife biologists try to find solutions to wildlife threats, such as disease and habitat loss." How this skill relates to fish and wildlife biologist duties can be seen in an example from a fish and wildlife biologist resume snippet: "used and maintained ph, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and ammonia meters on a regular basis to monitor water quality. "
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Compare different fish and wildlife biologists
Fish and wildlife biologist vs. Botanist
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a fish and wildlife biologist are more likely to require skills like "species act," "natural resources," "water act," and "environmental policy." On the other hand, a job as a botanist requires skills like "plant surveys," "rare plant," "wetland," and "plant communities." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that botanists earn slightly differ from fish and wildlife biologists. In particular, botanists are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a fish and wildlife biologist. Additionally, they're 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fish and wildlife biologist vs. Marine scientist
Each career also uses different skills, according to real fish and wildlife biologist resumes. While fish and wildlife biologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "natural resources," "water act," "environmental policy," and "harvest," marine scientists use skills like "state agencies," "geotechnical," "dmr," and "database management."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Marine scientists tend to reach lower levels of education than fish and wildlife biologists. In fact, they're 6.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Fish And Wildlife Biologists in the next 3-5 years?
John Turbeville Ph.D.
Senior Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Career Services, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Fish and wildlife biologist vs. Field naturalist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a fish and wildlife biologist is likely to be skilled in "species act," "natural resources," "water act," and "environmental policy," while a typical field naturalist is skilled in "social science," "hands-on science," "wildlife ecology," and "american history."
Field naturalists typically earn lower educational levels compared to fish and wildlife biologists. Specifically, they're 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fish and wildlife biologist vs. Restoration ecologist
Types of fish and wildlife biologist
Updated January 8, 2025
