Game Warden Wildlife Biologist

A Wildlife biologist researches and monitors plant and animal habitats in specific regions in order to determine various, and specific, environmental and population dynamics. Wildlife biologists may

analyze the predator-prey relationship for a specific species within an area or the detrimental effects of pollution on a population’s health. Wildlife biologists are often responsible for collecting data and scientifically searching for animal behavior patterns. Wildlife biologists formulate conclusions and often publish their results.

Education to Work as a Wildlife Biologist

Completing a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, or a very similar field, is usually a prerequisite for most wildlife biologists, as many have at least a Master’s degree and others hold a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Required courses for an aspiring wildlife biologist often include the following:

• biology
• zoology
• ecology

Wildlife biologist students will often take such courses as organic chemistry and statistics. Wildlife biologists examine the lives of animals in their own environments. A wildlife biologist, usually holding a Master’s degree or PhD, can choose to focus on the specialty of their choice.

Laboratory Work for a Wildlife Biologist

In addition to field work, wildlife biologists often work on conducting experiments in medical labs. Many wildlife biologists working in research departments have focused on topics in biotechnology and disease control.

Career Information for Wildlife Biologist

Job opportunities exist in research labs, working for the government, universities or companies.

You can often develop your career as a Wildlife biologist while working for a government agency, university research department, and/or a private company. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported, in 2015, that the median annual salary for a wildlife biologist or zoologist was $59,680. The top-paid ten percent earned $97,390 or more. The BLS stated that job opportunities for zoologists and wildlife biologists were expected to increase by 4% between 2014 and 2024.


Source: Wildlife Biologist

Become a Conservation Officer: Game-Warden.Org

The job title Conservation Officer is, at times, synonymous with fish and game warden, and refers to the individual who enforces state and federal laws protecting natural resources that include fish and wildlife. Conservation officers are essentially police officers who are often certified to enforce other laws, such as motor vehicle laws and controlled substance statutes, within their jurisdiction.

Career Details for Conservation Officer 

Conservation officers monitor hunters, fishermen, and trappers to ensure that they fully comply with state and federal regulations. Types of activities a Conservation Officer may be involved in:

• Enforcing state and federal statutes in campgrounds and parks
• Determining the methods used to collect game
• Checking vehicles and watercraft for compliance with state and federal laws
• Conducting educational programs on wildlife preservations
• Preparing and presenting cases in court
• Working closely with other law enforcement agencies in cases involving multi-agency jurisdictions
• Establishing and protecting the chain of custody of evidence collected during investigations of violations of fish and wildlife statues

Requirements and Qualifications to work as a Conservation Officer:

An associate’s degree is usually the minimum educational requirement to become a conservation officer, or a game warden. There are many agencies and groups that will require a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, biology, or environmental sciences.

Before working as a Conservation Officer, one must:

• be familiar with state and federal statutes
• possess the ability to perform the duties of a sworn law enforcement officer
• be able to conduct public presentations

The career of a Conservation Officer often involves the outdoors; due to the job being very physically demanding, most groups/agencies will require their conservation officers to be in top physical condition. Those who want to work as conservation officers must successfully pass several physical and psychological tests. Candidates must also be qualified to carry a handgun; and candidates absolutely must be able to pass an extensive background investigation.

Job Training for Conservation Officers

Training sometimes differs according to whether the conservation officer works for the federal or state government. Officers hired by the federal government usually will complete a 20-week training program, with the first 12 weeks required to be conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Agency in Glynco, Georgia. Trainees will spend the remaining weeks in West Virginia. The training academy will successfully focus on criminal investigations and wildlife law enforcement, including the proper use of firearms and identification of wildlife. Once completing the training academy, conservation officers must spend the next 10 weeks in the field under the mentorship of a Field Training Officer before they effectively move to their assigned location.

Bear in mind that individual states will have their own requirements for training. Find out what your state requires.

Additional Skills for Conservation Officers

Conservation officers should be able to work independently. Prospective fish and game wardens with previous experience with wildlife, including as a volunteer or in a paid capacity, may find it easier to find employment as a Conservation Officer.

Facts About The Job

• Though fish and game wardens are often expected to work a usual 40-hour workweek, they are, at times, required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Overtime may also be required at special times.
• Conservation officers should be adaptable and prepared to work in various weather conditions and various terrain such as forests, woods, deserts, and wetlands. Fish and game wardens spend the majority of their time outdoors.
• Because officers enforce the law, conservation officers must be up-to-date with all changes in state and federal laws and regulations related to their work. Depending on the state, conservation officers may have to meet minimum continuing education requirements each year.
• Conservation officers must be willing to confront dangers, as many of the individuals that officers face can be armed. Fish and game wardens often deal with wildlife, making them susceptible to animal bites, stings, and other injuries in nature.

Other Terms, or Job Titles that serve as Conservation Officers

• Wildlife enforcement officer
• Wildlife officer
• Conservation warden
• Environmental police officer
• Fish and game warden
• Game warden
• Natural resources officer

Career Possibilities for Conservation Officers

Conservation officers usually will find viable employment with state or federal agencies. Well-trained and experienced fish and game wardens are able to advance to supervisory, or administrative positions, or even to the level of field training officers.

Salary Expectations for Conservation Officer

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), fish and game wardens throughout the United States earned an average annual wage of $54,970 in 2015.

Source: http://www.game-warden.org/conservation-officer/

Wildlife Science Degree for Game Warden

A Wildlife Science Degree can place you in an ideal situation to work as a Game Warden.

Are you interested in a program that will prepare you to become a Game Warden by providing you with a solid understanding of the biology and ecology of wildlife species and how to properly implement management techniques to achieve desired management goals based on specific species?

Subjects Studied for the Wildlife Science Degree

A wildlife science degree program will include such topics as:

• Plant diversity/ecology
• Structure and function
• Technical skills
• Vertebrate diversity
• Invertebrate diversity
• Policy

A Wildlife Science degree is based on biology, offering students a broad spectrum education covering the thorough management of wildlife resources through the analysis of wildlife species and their needs, habitat manipulation, ecology, and the role of wildlife in our society.

Source: http://www.game-warden.org/wildlife-science-degree-for-game-warden/