NSXNational Skills ExchangeSign in
Back to Framework

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

SOC 19-1023.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparation

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.

Context coveredField surveys, lab analysis, agency permitting, species recovery plans, peer-reviewed research, public engagement; freshwater, marine, terrestrial, and managed-land contexts.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Field survey protocols (transects, point counts, camera traps) — execute under a senior biologist's direction on a state wildlife unit.
  2. Specimens and biological samples — collect, label, and preserve per protocol on a multi-day field campaign.
  3. GPS units and rangefinders — operate accurately while marking observations in remote terrain.
  4. Data entry into project databases — complete daily under a project lead's review.
  5. Personal protective equipment for wildlife handling — apply consistently in routine capture-and-release work.
  6. Common species identification by sight and call — demonstrate within the project's focal taxa.
  7. Field-safety procedures (bears, snakes, weather) — follow without prompting on backcountry assignments.
  8. Stream and habitat metrics — measure to protocol with a field-equipment checklist.
  9. Photographic vouchers — capture and catalogue with metadata on each transect.
  10. Daily field notes and incident logs — maintain legibly for a supervisor's review.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Mark-recapture and tagging studies — run routinely under an approved IACUC protocol in a state agency context.
  2. Radio and GPS telemetry equipment — deploy, retrieve, and recover data across a study season.
  3. Statistical software (R, occupancy and abundance models) — fit standard models to survey data with light supervision.
  4. Bird-banding, small-mammal trapping, or fish-electroshocking — lead routine sessions in the project's focal habitats.
  5. Habitat assessments per agency standards — complete and write up for working forests or wetlands.
  6. Permit conditions (state, USFWS, NMFS) — apply and document during active field operations.
  7. Project budgets and material orders — manage for a single study within a research lab.
  8. Field crews of 2–4 technicians — train, schedule, and check on routine surveys.
  9. Standard environmental DNA and bycatch protocols — follow correctly on monitoring contracts.
  10. Technical progress reports — draft for a principal investigator's review at quarterly intervals.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Multi-year monitoring programs — design, run, and analyze across a state wildlife agency's portfolio.
  2. Species status assessments and population viability analyses — lead for at-risk species in a regional context.
  3. Bayesian hierarchical and integrated population models — specify, fit, and interpret on agency datasets.
  4. Permitting packages (Section 7, MMPA, state listings) — prepare and shepherd through agency review.
  5. Stakeholder consultations with tribes, landowners, and NGOs — facilitate during contentious habitat decisions.
  6. Field operations across multiple sites and seasons — plan logistics, safety, and data flow.
  7. Peer-reviewed manuscripts in applied ecology journals — lead-author from study design through revision.
  8. Adaptive-management plans for managed lands — propose, defend, and revise with agency partners.
  9. Junior biologists and graduate students — supervise on study design, analysis, and writing.
  10. Funding proposals (state, federal, foundation) — author and win for mid-size monitoring projects.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Long-term recovery and conservation strategies — set direction across a regional or national species program.
  2. Cross-agency partnerships and MOUs — negotiate and lead during multi-jurisdiction conservation work.
  3. Research portfolios and lab budgets — build and steward as a principal investigator at a university or agency.
  4. Policy briefs and expert testimony — produce for legislative and regulatory deliberations.
  5. Listing, downlisting, and critical-habitat decisions — inform with rigorous synthesis at federal scale.
  6. Disciplinary norms (publishing, peer review, ethics) — model and steward through service to scientific societies.
  7. Mentorship of graduate students and early-career biologists — lead pipelines that staff agencies and academia.
  8. Strategic priorities for a wildlife program — articulate to legislators, boards, and the public.
  9. Crisis response (disease outbreaks, oil spills, invasive incursions) — command across coordinating agencies.
  10. Science-to-management translation — institutionalize through standards and decision frameworks.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted literature search — queries an LLM to surface and summarize recent publications on species ecology and conservation status, then verifies key claims against primary sources before incorporating them into reports Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Species identification support — submits field photos and observation notes to an AI tool to generate candidate identifications, confirming each result with validated taxonomic references Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Wildlife population report drafting — delegates first-draft sections of inventory summaries and habitat assessments to an AI assistant, then edits outputs for scientific accuracy and local context Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Data pattern screening — directs an AI tool to scan large datasets of camera-trap counts or survey transects for anomalies and population trends, retaining expert judgment on biological interpretation Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Public communication drafting — uses an LLM to produce plain-language summaries of hunting ordinances and nuisance-wildlife guidance for public audiences, reviewing outputs before distribution Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Management plan co-development — orchestrates an AI assistant through iterative drafting of wildlife management plans, supplying stakeholder input and ecological constraints, then evaluates recommended options against regulatory standards Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Scientific manuscript acceleration — delegates outline generation, methods boilerplate, and reference formatting to an AI tool, authoring all interpretive and discussion content directly to meet journal standards Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Environmental impact synthesis — directs an AI to cross-reference industry activity datasets with species distribution records, interpreting the synthesized findings to recommend alternative operating conditions for industrial clients WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Stakeholder presentation scripting — uses an LLM to structure slide narratives and talking points for public meetings, applying domain knowledge to correct oversimplifications before delivery Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. AI workflow governance — evaluates and selects AI tools for field teams based on measured augmentation outcomes, establishing validation protocols that reflect the occupation's 81.5% collaborative-augmentation pattern and low AI-autonomy baseline Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Cross-disciplinary inference leadership — commissions AI-driven analyses spanning remote-sensing, population genetics, and climate projections, synthesizing outputs into conservation strategies where human ecological judgment remains the decisive authority Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Evidence-based AI boundary setting — defines explicit task boundaries for AI delegation versus human decision-making across wildlife monitoring programs, grounded in the Q2 augmentation quadrant positioning of core field competencies Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 9
Augment share: 81.5%
Time saved: 45%
AI autonomy: 0.23
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Active Listening
Score: 42.2 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Data Science and Analysis
data_science_and_analysis
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication16 statements
Emerging
  1. Wildlife survey reports — documents field observations using standard biological terminology in written summaries for supervisor review Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Public inquiry response — answers basic questions about local wildlife species and habitat from community members using plain language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Scientific literature review — reads and summarizes peer-reviewed journal articles on animal behavior or population ecology to support team projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Field data communication — conveys daily field observations verbally to team members during debrief sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Population estimate reporting — compiles inventory data into structured technical reports that communicate survey methodology and findings to agency supervisors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder presentation — delivers prepared talks on wildlife management topics to school groups, conservation clubs, and park visitors using accessible vocabulary O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Interagency correspondence — writes clear memoranda and emails coordinating field schedules and data-sharing protocols with partner organizations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Regulatory communication — explains hunting ordinances and wildlife protection laws to landowners and members of the public in understandable terms O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Scientific manuscript authorship — drafts and revises peer-reviewed journal articles reporting original research findings on animal populations or behavior for publication Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Management plan writing — produces comprehensive wildlife habitat management plans with clearly articulated recommendations for agency decision-makers and stakeholders O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Public program delivery — leads interpretive presentations and workshops for diverse audiences, adapting technical content to varying levels of scientific literacy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Active listening in consultation — elicits concerns and local ecological knowledge from landowners, tribal representatives, and industry contacts through structured dialogue during management planning sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Cross-sector science communication — translates complex population dynamics research into compelling narratives for policymakers, media outlets, and funding bodies to drive conservation outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored report development — coaches early-career biologists through the full cycle of scientific writing, from field notes to published manuscript, providing structured editorial feedback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Expert testimony — presents research findings and management recommendations before legislative committees, regulatory hearings, or legal proceedings with authority and precision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Organizational communication strategy — designs and implements communication frameworks for agency-wide wildlife outreach campaigns integrating digital, print, and in-person channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership13 statements
Emerging
  1. Field team participation — takes initiative in completing assigned survey transects accurately and on schedule without requiring direct supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Data quality ownership — flags data anomalies encountered during wildlife inventories to senior biologists rather than recording uncertain observations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Protocol adherence — follows established capture and handling procedures for wildlife specimens, demonstrating responsibility for animal welfare and crew safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Field crew coordination — directs small teams of field technicians during wildlife population surveys, assigning tasks and monitoring data collection quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Junior staff mentoring — guides seasonal field technicians in proper use of telemetry equipment, trap setting, and data recording protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Project accountability — takes responsibility for meeting survey milestones and reports delays or logistical obstacles proactively to project leads Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Wildlife program management — leads multi-year research or monitoring programs, setting objectives, allocating resources, and supervising interdisciplinary field teams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder consultation leadership — facilitates working group meetings with agency partners, landowners, and advocacy organizations to build consensus on wildlife management decisions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Staff supervision — conducts performance evaluations, delegates responsibilities, and provides developmental feedback for zoo or field station staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Strategic conservation planning — leads the development of landscape-scale wildlife management strategies, coordinating across multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and funding streams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational leadership — directs department-level operations including budgeting, fundraising, public relations, and staff development within wildlife management or zoo institutions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Field mentorship culture — establishes mentorship programs that systematically build technical and professional capacity across cohorts of early-career wildlife biologists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Regulatory advocacy leadership — represents agency or institutional positions on wildlife policy before government bodies, shaping law and government frameworks that govern species management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition12 statements
Emerging
  1. Learning gap recognition — identifies gaps in personal knowledge of species identification or survey methodology and seeks guidance from senior biologists to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Field error reflection — reviews own data collection mistakes after each field session and adjusts observation techniques for subsequent surveys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Study planning — develops personal reading schedules to build familiarity with relevant taxa biology and ecological literature before beginning new research assignments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Methodology self-assessment — evaluates the appropriateness of chosen wildlife sampling designs against survey objectives before data collection begins, revising plans where needed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Bias awareness in observation — monitors own tendencies toward confirmation bias when interpreting animal behavior data and applies corrective reasoning strategies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Skill development planning — creates structured learning goals for acquiring new technical competencies such as GIS analysis, mark-recapture statistics, or remote sensing interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research design reflection — critically examines completed wildlife studies for methodological limitations and documents lessons learned to improve future study designs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive interpretation — monitors own analytical reasoning during population trend analysis, pausing to re-examine assumptions when conclusions conflict with ecological expectations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Knowledge boundary articulation — clearly communicates the limits of personal expertise when advising stakeholders on species management, directing complex questions to appropriate specialists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Metacognitive modeling — explicitly demonstrates self-monitoring and error-correction reasoning to junior biologists during fieldwork and data analysis to build their reflective practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional learning systems — designs after-action review processes for wildlife research programs that capture organizational learning and systematically improve future project planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Epistemological critique — evaluates the foundational assumptions of wildlife monitoring frameworks used by the institution, recommending paradigm shifts where evidence-based approaches have been superseded Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking12 statements
Emerging
  1. Observation evaluation — distinguishes between direct animal observations and inferred behavioral conclusions when recording field notes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Literature-based reasoning — identifies the main conclusions and supporting evidence in scientific papers reviewed for species biology background research Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Data plausibility checking — flags outlier values in wildlife count data for supervisor review rather than accepting anomalous records uncritically Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Survey design analysis — evaluates trade-offs between different wildlife population sampling methods, such as point counts versus transect surveys, based on species detectability and habitat structure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Environmental impact assessment — examines how proposed industrial activities are likely to affect target species based on known habitat requirements and disturbance thresholds O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory compliance evaluation — determines whether observed wildlife practices or land-use activities meet or violate applicable environmental laws, documenting findings with supporting evidence O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Population trend interpretation — analyzes multi-year monitoring datasets to distinguish genuine population change from sampling variation, applying appropriate statistical reasoning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Management alternative evaluation — weighs competing wildlife management strategies against biological, legal, economic, and social criteria to recommend evidence-based courses of action Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Industry impact adjudication — synthesizes field study findings and published literature to formulate alternative operating conditions for industries affecting wildlife habitat O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Systems-level ecological analysis — identifies complex causal chains linking landscape-scale stressors to wildlife population dynamics, integrating evidence across disciplines including genetics, climatology, and toxicology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research paradigm critique — evaluates assumptions embedded in dominant wildlife monitoring methodologies and proposes methodologically superior alternatives supported by theoretical and empirical argument Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Expert judgment under uncertainty — makes consequential management recommendations for threatened species with incomplete data, explicitly quantifying uncertainty and articulating the reasoning chain Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration12 statements
Emerging
  1. Field team contribution — completes assigned survey tasks reliably, communicating data promptly to teammates to support shared project timelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary awareness — recognizes the contributions of botanists, hydrologists, and GIS specialists to integrated wildlife habitat assessments and coordinates data handoffs appropriately Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Volunteer coordination participation — works alongside conservation volunteers during wildlife monitoring events, explaining tasks clearly and maintaining group cohesion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interagency data sharing — collaborates with state and federal agency counterparts to pool wildlife monitoring datasets, reconciling differing data formats and quality standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder listening — actively solicits and incorporates local ecological knowledge from landowners, hunters, and tribal members into wildlife management planning discussions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Multidisciplinary field team integration — coordinates fieldwork logistics with biologists from other specialties on joint habitat assessment projects, navigating differing methodological priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Conservation partnership management — sustains productive working relationships with NGO partners, academic institutions, and government agencies across multi-year wildlife research collaborations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Public consultation facilitation — manages open-forum discussions with diverse community stakeholders on controversial wildlife management proposals, balancing competing interests constructively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Zoo staff team leadership — collaborates with veterinarians, curators, and educators within zoo institutions to align animal care, research, and public programming objectives O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Multi-jurisdictional coalition building — establishes and sustains collaborative frameworks spanning state, federal, tribal, and international partners for transboundary wildlife management initiatives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conflict resolution in stakeholder processes — mediates substantive disagreements between industry, conservation, and community groups during high-stakes wildlife management planning to achieve durable consensus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Collaborative research network leadership — organizes and coordinates distributed research consortia conducting synchronized wildlife monitoring across large geographic regions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character12 statements
Emerging
  1. Field data integrity — records wildlife observation counts and behavioral notes accurately without embellishment or selective omission, even when results are inconclusive Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Animal welfare accountability — adheres strictly to approved capture, handling, and release protocols for wildlife specimens, prioritizing animal safety over data convenience Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional conduct — represents the agency or institution respectfully in all public interactions, including community outreach events and landowner site visits Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Environmental law compliance — reports potential violations of wildlife protection regulations to appropriate law enforcement authorities consistently and without conflict-of-interest compromise O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent uncertainty communication — discloses the limitations of survey data and the confidence levels of population estimates honestly in reports and stakeholder briefings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Confidential information stewardship — protects sensitive species location data and landowner access agreements from unauthorized disclosure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical research conduct — designs and conducts wildlife studies in full compliance with institutional animal care and use protocols and applicable federal research ethics standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability under pressure — maintains the integrity of management recommendations even when conclusions are politically inconvenient for agency administrators or industry stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional boundary maintenance — declines to opine beyond documented evidence when advising policymakers, clearly distinguishing scientific findings from personal values Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional ethics leadership — establishes and champions ethical standards for wildlife research conduct within an organization, including data integrity policies and conflict-of-interest frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Whistleblower courage — formally reports systemic violations of environmental regulations or research ethics within or outside the organization when internal channels are exhausted Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Role modeling professional integrity — consistently demonstrates accountability and ethical reasoning in high-visibility decisions, setting behavioral standards that shape organizational culture Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity12 statements
Emerging
  1. Field problem improvisation — adapts standard wildlife survey techniques when terrain or weather conditions prevent protocol execution, devising workable alternatives within approved parameters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative science communication — develops original visual aids, such as hand-drawn species identification guides or habitat diagrams, to support public outreach presentations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Novel observation recording — documents unusual or previously unreported animal behaviors encountered in the field with detailed descriptive notes for later investigation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Survey method adaptation — designs modified wildlife sampling protocols tailored to the logistical and ecological constraints of novel field sites not covered by existing standard methods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interpretive program design — creates original educational activities and demonstrations for park or zoo audiences that make abstract wildlife biology concepts tangible and engaging O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Hypothesis generation — formulates testable explanations for unexpected patterns observed in wildlife population or behavioral data to guide follow-up research Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research design innovation — develops original study designs integrating emerging technologies such as environmental DNA sampling, drone-based counts, or acoustic monitoring to address previously intractable wildlife research questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Management strategy creativity — proposes unconventional habitat enhancement or conflict mitigation strategies supported by ecological theory but not yet established in regional practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Science communication innovation — produces multimedia content, interactive exhibits, or citizen science platforms that engage broader public audiences in wildlife conservation issues Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Conservation paradigm innovation — conceives and publishes novel theoretical frameworks or methodological approaches that advance the field of wildlife biology and gain adoption by peer researchers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary synthesis — integrates concepts from evolutionary biology, landscape ecology, and social science to design creative solutions to complex human-wildlife coexistence challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional program invention — launches new wildlife research, education, or conservation programs that did not previously exist within the organization, securing funding and building capacity from the ground up Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset12 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback acceptance — receives critical review of field data collection technique from senior biologists openly and implements suggested corrections in subsequent surveys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill stretch willingness — volunteers for unfamiliar survey methods or taxa outside current expertise to broaden technical capabilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Setback reframing — treats failed wildlife trap sets or poor-weather survey cancellations as data points informing improved future field planning rather than as personal failures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Technical skill expansion — pursues training in new analytical tools such as distance sampling software or occupancy modeling packages independently between project assignments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer review integration — revises manuscripts and reports substantively in response to peer and supervisor feedback, treating critiques as improvements rather than challenges to expertise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Field challenge persistence — maintains rigorous data collection standards across extended surveys in physically demanding or logistically difficult field environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Continuous methods updating — proactively incorporates newly published wildlife monitoring best practices into ongoing study designs, retiring outdated protocols in response to scientific evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary learning — studies statistical, remote sensing, or molecular biology methods beyond core biological training to strengthen the rigor of wildlife research outputs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Failure analysis practice — conducts structured post-project debriefs following monitoring programs that did not meet objectives, documenting root causes and improvement actions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning culture cultivation — creates institutional norms within research teams that normalize intellectual risk-taking, constructive failure analysis, and ongoing professional development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Career-long skill renewal — continuously acquires expertise in emerging areas such as landscape genomics, machine learning for species classification, or climate modeling to maintain research relevance across a career Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentored growth facilitation — designs individualized development plans for junior biologists that stretch their capabilities through progressively complex field and analytical challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness12 statements
Emerging
  1. Field observation attentiveness — maintains focused attention during wildlife transect surveys, resisting distraction to ensure accurate detection and recording of target species Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation in public contact — manages personal frustration calmly when community members express hostility toward wildlife regulations during public outreach interactions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Physical environment awareness — monitors personal safety conditions in remote field settings with deliberate situational awareness, including weather changes and hazardous terrain Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Intentional stakeholder engagement — approaches contentious wildlife management consultations with deliberate attentiveness to stakeholder concerns, suspending reactive defensiveness during difficult exchanges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Data collection focus management — maintains consistent attention during long-duration point count or nest monitoring sessions, implementing structured protocols to prevent observer fatigue errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Workload self-regulation — monitors personal stress and fatigue levels during extended field campaigns and adjusts rest and scheduling to sustain safe and accurate performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical decision intentionality — pauses to consider the full biological, legal, and social implications of wildlife management recommendations before formalizing advice to decision-makers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotionally regulated public testimony — delivers findings in charged regulatory or legal environments with measured composure, maintaining scientific objectivity under adversarial questioning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mindful field leadership — models calm, deliberate decision-making during wildlife emergencies or equipment failures in remote locations, stabilizing team response Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational stress navigation — maintains strategic clarity and constructive team engagement during periods of institutional uncertainty, budget cuts, or politically contested management decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Reflective leadership presence — brings deliberate self-awareness to high-stakes interagency negotiations, reading group dynamics and adjusting communication approach in real time to maintain productive dialogue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mindfulness culture modeling — integrates reflective debriefing practices and intentional attention management into standard field team operations, improving collective data quality and crew wellbeing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude12 statements
Emerging
  1. Physical perseverance — completes demanding wildlife survey transects in adverse weather, rugged terrain, or extreme temperatures without compromising data collection standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Uncertainty tolerance — continues structured observation protocols in the field when wildlife detection rates are very low, resisting the urge to abandon unproductive sites prematurely Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Criticism resilience — maintains motivation and data quality standards after receiving negative feedback on survey design or data interpretation from supervisors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Extended campaign endurance — sustains rigorous fieldwork performance across multi-week remote wildlife monitoring deployments with limited resupply and communication Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Conflict navigation persistence — continues productive engagement with hostile landowners or resistant industry partners across multiple consultation sessions to advance wildlife management objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory setback response — resumes conservation advocacy through alternative legal or policy channels after court rulings or legislative decisions invalidate previous management plans Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Long-term study commitment — maintains consistent monitoring protocols and scientific rigor across multi-year population studies despite funding interruptions, personnel turnover, and inconclusive interim results Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Controversial recommendation courage — formally submits management recommendations that restrict industrial or recreational activity based on wildlife data, even when facing significant stakeholder opposition Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Disaster response persistence — continues wildlife population assessment and rehabilitation coordination following wildfire, flood, or oil spill events under logistically chaotic and emotionally demanding conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Decade-scale conservation perseverance — sustains advocacy, research, and coalition-building for imperiled species recovery programs across career-spanning timeframes, adapting strategy through repeated policy and environmental setbacks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional courage — formally challenges organizationally convenient but scientifically unsound wildlife management policies through appropriate channels, accepting professional risk in defense of evidence-based practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Crisis leadership resilience — guides research teams and partner agencies through major wildlife emergencies such as disease outbreaks or mass mortality events, maintaining operational coherence and scientific documentation under sustained pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors64 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Animal Behaviorist · Animal Biologist · Aquarist · Aquatic Biologist · Behaviorist · Cell Biologist · Conservation Biologist · Cryptozoologist · Dolphin Researcher · Entomologist · Ethologist · Field Naturalist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingScienceWritingCoordinationActive LearningMonitoringTime ManagementSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessNegotiationPersuasionSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesMathematicsLearning StrategiesInstructingService Orientation
Knowledge domains
BiologyEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsGeographyLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementCommunications and Media
Abilities
Inductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionOral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionSpeech ClarityInformation OrderingProblem SensitivitySpeech Recognition
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityDependabilityAttention to DetailInnovationIntegrityPerseverance
Technology
Analytical or scientific softwareOffice suite softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information systemMobile location based services softwareSpreadsheet softwareWeb platform development softwarePresentation softwareProject management software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
  2. Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
  3. Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
  4. Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
  5. 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.
  6. Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
  7. Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.
  8. Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.
CIP education codes
03.060126.070126.070226.070726.070826.070926.079926.130126.130226.130326.130530.3201

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.