What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 4.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 4.0/5
Writing 3.88/5
Science 3.88/5
Coordination 3.75/5
Active Learning 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.38/5
Time Management 3.38/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Cooperation, Integrity, Initiative, Dependability, Attention to Detail

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.75/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Computer modeling software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Database management software Email software ESRI ArcGIS software ESRI ArcView Geographic information system GIS software Geographic information system GIS systems Global positioning system GPS software HATPRO IBM Lotus 1-2-3 Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word Python

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.48/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.43/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.36/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.31/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.29/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Animal Behaviorist Animal Biologist Aquatic Biologist Behaviorist Conservation Biologist Cryptozoologist Dolphin Researcher Entomologist Ethologist Field Naturalist Fish and Wildlife Biologist Fish Biologist Fish Conservationist Fish Culturist Fish Technologist Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist Fisheries Biologist Fisheries Management Biologist Fishery Biologist Forest Wildlife Biologist Habitat Biologist Herpetologist Ichthyologist Lepidopterist Limnologist Mammalogist Marine Biologist Marine Scientist Migratory Game Bird Biologist Naturalist Nematologist Ornithologist Protozoologist Research Scientist Shark Biologist Wetland Ecologist Wetland Scientist Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Conservationist Wildlife Refuge Specialist Wildlife Specialist Wildlife Technician (Wildlife Tech) Zoologist