What does a Wildlife Biologist do?
A wildlife biologist specializes in studying and observing animals and plants in their habitats, mainly for research and scientific purposes. Their responsibilities typically revolve around gathering samples and data, performing analysis through various laboratory and scientific processes, conducting experiments, and creating reports and presentations. A wildlife biologist may use their findings to develop programs and strategies, release research papers, contribute to publications, and promote public awareness. Furthermore, a wildlife biologist may coordinate with other scientists, reviewing findings for accurate reports.
Wildlife biologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real wildlife biologist resumes:
- Utilize ArcGIS to create navigational maps, as well as uploading, managing and analyzing data for habitat suitability.
- Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
- Perform nuisance wildlife removal for animals such as squirrels, bats, raccoons, opossums, snakes, and skunks.
- Complete regulatory compliance and permitting documentation for projects requiring ESA consultations including preparation of biological opinions.
- Assist with prescribe burns on DNR land.
- Supervise and participate in the annual raptor nest survey.
- Project design and construction manager for large trout habitat restoration projects.
- Review environmental impact reports (CEQA) /statements (NEPA).
- Involve the handling of large pests alongside poisonous snakes and other reptiles.
- Check historic NSO sites for occupancy, nesting, and reproduction status.
- Restore natural spring holes which provide traditional trout wintering habitat and thermal refuge.
- Design a NSO habitat improvement project and help develop a NSO habitat model using GIS.
- Experience performing nest site searches, raptor feather identification, and raptor identification by sight.
- Conduct follow-up procedures when owls are detected during night surveys to determine nesting status for NSO.
- Develop and maintain data sheets, collection gear, scales, and measuring boards for NOAA small boat cruises.
Wildlife biologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Wildlife Biologists are proficient in USDA, Wildlife Species, and GIS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Emotional stamina and stability, Interpersonal skills, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Wildlife Biologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- USDA, 13%
Served on USDA State Technical Committees and CREP and Wildlife Subcommittees.
- Wildlife Species, 9%
Identified weeds and other invasive species of concern in the habitat for important wildlife species and potential introduced cattle operations.
- GIS, 7%
Sample and collection locations were plotted using Geographic Positioning System units and GIS software to compile a database and generate maps.
- Harvest, 6%
Organized and participated in elk population helicopter survey, utilizing census data to determine big game harvest values for upper management.
- GPS, 5%
Provided detailed GPS photo-point documentation of a Cherokee National Forest habitat project.
- Natural Resources, 5%
Provide policy analysis and recommendations relating to activities affecting natural resources; particularly, land expansion and military training activities.
Most wildlife biologists use their skills in "usda," "wildlife species," and "gis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential wildlife biologist responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform wildlife biologist duties is interpersonal skills. Wildlife biologists responsibilities require that "zoologists and wildlife biologists typically work on teams and must be able to work effectively with others." Wildlife biologists also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "conducted creel surveys utilizing interpersonal skills, data entry skills, and organizational skills. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what wildlife biologists do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to wildlife biologist responsibilities because "zoologists and wildlife biologists try to find solutions to wildlife threats, such as disease and habitat loss." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical wildlife biologist tasks: "demonstrated expertise wildlife/avian identification and classification, plant issues, vegetation and biological surveys, and solution design. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for wildlife biologist responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of wildlife biologists all the time, as "zoologists and wildlife biologists write about and present their research to the public, policymakers, and academic audiences." An excerpt from a real wildlife biologist resume shows how this skill is central to what a wildlife biologist does: "created database for inter-agency use and maintained communication between tribal taos pueblo war chief and usda staff. "
The three companies that hire the most wildlife biologists are:
- SStantec3 wildlife biologists jobs
- SState Of Montana2 wildlife biologists jobs
- RResource Environmental Solutions2 wildlife biologists jobs
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Compare different wildlife biologists
Wildlife biologist vs. Fish culturist
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, wildlife biologist responsibilities require skills like "usda," "wildlife species," "gis," and "harvest." Meanwhile a typical fish culturist has skills in areas such as "cdl," "trout," "plumbing," and "fish health." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that fish culturists earn slightly differ from wildlife biologists. In particular, fish culturists are 9.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a wildlife biologist. Additionally, they're 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Wildlife biologist vs. Environmental scientist
Each career also uses different skills, according to real wildlife biologist resumes. While wildlife biologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "usda," "wildlife species," "harvest," and "natural resources," environmental scientists use skills like "osha," "oversight," "hazwoper," and "project management."
Environmental scientists may earn a higher salary than wildlife biologists, but environmental scientists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $72,955. On the other hand, wildlife biologists receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,590.In general, environmental scientists achieve similar levels of education than wildlife biologists. They're 2.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for 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
Wildlife biologist vs. Botanist
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, wildlife biologists are more likely to have skills like "usda," "wildlife species," "harvest," and "natural resources." But a botanist is more likely to have skills like "rare plant," "wetland," "plant communities," and "forests."
Botanists typically earn similar educational levels compared to wildlife biologists. Specifically, they're 3.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Wildlife biologist vs. Marine scientist
Types of wildlife biologist
Updated January 8, 2025
