US US US Fish & Wildlife Service

Want a challenging career? Enjoy nature and the great outdoors? Consider a career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

From the Arctic Ocean to the South Pacific, from the Atlantic to the Caribbean, Service personnel are working to ensure that future generations of Americans will be able to enjoy nature’s beauty and bounty — a challenge that you can help us meet, and a reward few other careers can offer.

Following a tradition of conservation leadership that is now in its second century, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service plays a pivotal role in safeguarding some of this nation’srich natural resources. It is a challenge that is growing more
complex every year. You can become one of the employees who bridge the gap between our storied past and ourevolving future.

To accomplish its mission, the Service employs many of the country’s best biologists, wildlife managers, engineers, realty specialists, educators, law enforcement agents, and others who work to save endangered and threatened species; conserve migratory birds and inland fisheries; restore habitats; provide
expert conservation advice to other federal agencies, industry, private citizens, and foreign governments; and manage millions of acres of wildlife lands.

How you can qualify

To qualify for our entry-level biological and natural resource positions, you must have a Bachelor’s degree in biological science or natural resources management from an accredited college or university. This degree qualifies you for one of our General Biologist, also known as Fish and Wildlife Biologist, positions.

For fishery occupations, your coursework must have included 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences. For wildlife refuge management positions, your degree must have included 9 semester hours in zoology, 6 semester hours in wildlife courses, and 9 semester hours in botany.

To be a Wildlife Biologist, your studies must have included 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related
plant sciences.

College degrees are not required for our technical and clerical support positions. You can qualify based on your experience and/or your education. Certain coursework may be required for some occupations, such as Biological Science, Range and
Forestry Technicians. For all of our jobs, there are situations
where you may also combine education and related experience to meet the qualification requirements.

Workers with the US Fish and Wildlife Service receive competitive salaries. They also recieve the same benefits as other Federal employees, including health and life insurance, vacation pay,  and 401k retirement plans. 

How to get started

How to Get Started on a Career with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  With over 700 offices and field stations, no matter where you want to work, there’s an opportunity near you.

The number and types of positions, both permanent and seasonal, for which we recruit varies from year to year, so you should contact one of our personnel offices to learn about
current opportunities. For a complete listing of current Service job opportunities, check USAJobs at www.fws.gov  Follow the instructions in the vacancy announcement on how to apply for
our jobs.

Volunteer opportunities also are  available. Volunteers help with a variety of tasks, including conducting population surveys, leading public tours, protecting endangered species, and leading environmental education programs. For more information on volunteering, contact a Volunteer Coordinator.