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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Life, Physical, and Social Science (19-1023)

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.

At a Glance

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earns a median of $72,860/yr with +1.6% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Biology, Salesforce software, R.

Median Annual Wage

$72,860/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+1.6%

Annual Openings

1

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (14)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.0
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

4.0
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.0
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

4.0
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.9
Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

3.9
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.8
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.6
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.4
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

3.4
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

3.3
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.3

Knowledge (7)

Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

4.8
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.8
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.7
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.4
Geography

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

3.4
Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

3.3
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.3

Abilities (15)

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

4.0
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

4.0
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.0
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.8
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.8
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.6
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.5
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.5
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.4
Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

3.3
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.3

Technology (13)

Salesforce software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software | Hot Technology

4.5
R

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Python

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAS

Category: Analytical or scientific software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
ESRI ArcGIS software

Category: Geographic information system | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (28)

Communicating with People Outside the 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.

4.5
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.5
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.4
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.4
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.3
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.3
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.2
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.

4.1
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.0
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

4.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.0
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.9
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.

3.9
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.9
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.9
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.9
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

3.9
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

3.9
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

3.8
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.8
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.6
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.5
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.5
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.

3.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.5
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.5
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.3

Work Styles (1)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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