Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Career Description: Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management, including the collection and analysis of biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water areas.

Industry: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Other Job Titles for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
• Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
• Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.
• Make recommendations on management systems and planning for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
• 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 and diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
• Perform administrative duties such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
• Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.
• Oversee the care and distribution of zoo animals, working with curators and zoo directors to determine the best way to contain animals, maintain their habitats and manage facilities.
• 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.
• Raise specimens for study and observation or for use in experiments.
• Collect and dissect animal specimens and examine specimens under microscope.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of urban planning technicians and technologists.
• Investigate property availability.
• Respond to complaints and questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information and clarification.
• Initiate, schedule, and conduct annual audits and compliance checks of program implementation by local government.
• Compile and interpret wetland biodata to determine extent and type of wetland and to aid in program formulation.
• Manage field offices and involve staff in cooperative ventures.
• Review and approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans and conservation district plans.
• Review proposed wetland restoration easements and provide technical recommendations.
• Review grant applications and make funding recommendations.
• Conduct fact finding and mediation sessions among government units, landowners, and other agencies to resolve disputes.
• Review annual reports of counties, conservation districts, and watershed management organizations, certifying compliance with mandated reporting requirements.
• Provide access to programs and training to assist in completion of government groundwater protection plans.
• Build geographic information systems (GIS) to record, analyze, and cartographically represent the distribution of languages, cultural and natural resources, land use, and settlement patterns of specific populations.
• Observe and measure bodily variations and physical attributes of different human groups.

Emerging Tasks

• Check for and ensure compliance with environmental laws and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
• Inform public of wildlife and conservation issues (e.g., plant identification, hunting ordinances, nuisance wildlife) and respond to public inquiries related to such matters.
• Supervise and monitor production processes in order to ensure that equipment is used efficiently, specifications are changed when needed, and projects are completed within appropriate time frames and budgets.
• Use chemicals and other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
• Supervise the work of others including interns, clinicians in training, and other counselors.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside 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.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• 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.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adhere to safety procedures
• advise animal owners regarding treatment of animals
• advise clients or customers
• advise governmental or industrial personnel
• analyze biological research, test, or analysis data
• analyze ecosystem data
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• breed animals to propagate stock or to develop new types
• capture animals for control, identification, relocation, sale or humane purposes
• classify plants, animals, or other natural phenomena
• collect academic research data
• collect scientific or technical data
• collect statistical data
• communicate technical information
• conduct analyses or tests of organic compounds
• conduct field research or investigative studies
• conduct fund raising activities
• conduct laboratory research or experiments
• conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses
• conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses
• confer with research personnel
• confer with scientists
• develop budgets
• develop new products based on scientific research results
• develop or maintain databases
• develop plans for programs or projects
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
• develop tables depicting data
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
• direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs
• estimate population or condition of plant life, fish, or wildlife
• examine biological or other material specimens under microscope
• explain complex mathematical information
• explain genetic data
• follow infectious materials procedures
• follow microbiology procedures
• follow safe waste disposal procedures
• identify animal species
• identify insect characteristics
• maintain records, reports, or files
• make decisions
• make presentations
• oversee execution of organizational or program policies
• perform statistical analysis
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• prepare biological specimens for examination
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• prepare vaccines, biologicals, or serums
• read maps
• recognize disease or parasites in animals
• recommend further study or action based on research data
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• research human or animal disease
• resolve animal breeding problems
• resolve engineering or science problems
• select animals to be bred
• study development of plants, animals, or microscopic organisms
• understand animal habits or needs
• use animal disease control techniques
• use biological research techniques
• use biological testing instruments
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use hazardous materials information
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of vivisection
• use laboratory equipment
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use microscope
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use teaching techniques
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write business project or bid proposals
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use long term forest or range land planning techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• use research methodology procedures in health care
• use sanitation practices in health care settings
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• write technical health or medical documents
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• work with management or employees to improve organizational system
• write business project or bid proposals
• write employee orientation or training materials
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers

Overall Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education
A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, physicists, school psychologists, and surgeons.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$26.49
• Average annual wage (2007) - $55,100.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 8.66%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 1,739
• Employment (2006): 20,091

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