Wildlife technician program

Perform maintenance, participate in research, and interact with the public on wildlife areas or refuges. Locate and analyze the federal and state acts, statutes and regulations which protect endangered species and other wildlife. Click Here for Program Map. This course is an introduction to the methods, techniques, and tools used to restore and enhance watershed health.

Topics will include reforestation techniques, hydrologic cycle, disturbance mitigation, and use of native plants for biofiltration. The course emphasizes local water issues and restoration efforts. The course is a study of plant and animal ecology in relation to principles of wildlife management with an emphasis on identification, sexing and aging criteria, wildlife population dynamics, wildlife habitat, and a review of trapping and marking techniques.

This course introduces students to federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the management and protection of natural resources. No previous GIS experience is assumed. This course introduces students to the selection and use of farm structural and mechanical equipment. It will cover farm wiring, carpentry, concrete, masonry, plumbing, painting and metal work with emphasis on the actual practices used in agricultural construction. This course covers the fundamentals of landscape construction including: soil preparation, irrigation system construction, paving and construction materials, hand and power tool use, landscape equipment operation, turf and plant installation, water feature construction and maintenance, plan reading and materials estimating.

In the field, wildlife technicians help with data collection. This typically means inventorying wildlife populations, trapping and tagging animals, and taking blood and tissue samples. They may also collect samples of water, soil, and plants. Wildlife technicians evaluate the health of animals, looking for signs of illness. They're often responsible for caring for captured animals. They may need to know how to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle or pilot a boat to reach fieldwork sites.

Wildlife technicians set up and use field and lab equipment. They prepare specimens and conduct experiments, recording and analyzing results under the supervision of biologists. They manage lab supplies and clean work areas. Everything they do helps wildlife biologists make decisions and plans for conserving species and the habitats they depend on. They help make scientists more productive, allowing them to accomplish more and help more animals. Most wildlife technicians work for federal and state wildlife and land management agencies.

Some work for nonprofit conservation organizations. Others work for animal control agencies, where they remove and rehome potentially dangerous animals that come into contact with people.

Wildlife biologists spend much of their time outdoors working in the field, where they're exposed to all kinds of weather. Fieldwork can be physically demanding, and there is a risk of injury when handling aggressive animals. Workers may also be exposed to blood and other bodily fluids while handling animals and collecting samples. Following established safety precautions is important. Evening, weekend, and extended hours may sometimes be required.

Post to EnvironmentalScience. Senior wildlife manager jobs often have an even broader scope of which may include management of all wildlife as well as operations and personnel. Such responsibilities may include:. The job demand for wildlife managers is projected to show little to no change between and With additional college education, wildlife technicians may advance to become wildlife biologists.

Wildlife technicians typically need a bachelor's degree in biology or a closely related field. However, an associate's degree in wildlife management or a high school degree may be sufficient for some positions, particularly where applicants also have related experience.

Most colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in the biological sciences. Biology programs usually include courses in general biology and subfields like ecology, microbiology, and physiology. Students also study chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Computer science courses are helpful for learning how to model and simulate biological processes, and for learning how to operate lab equipment. Since GPS devices are now essential to fieldwork, students should learn how to use them, and how to work with the data they collect in geographic information system GIS software.

Field and laboratory experience are very important for wildlife technicians. Be sure to take classes and look for volunteer opportunities involving field and lab work.