Careers in Ornithology Government Agencies

1. Terry Rich U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Careers in Ornithology Government Agencies AOU Student Affairs Committee 8 August 2007 University of Wyoming Please read the notes attached to each slide.

2. What Types of Jobs are out There?

3. Land Management Bureau of Land Management U.S. Forest Service National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – National Wildlife Refuges Department of Defense Regulatory U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – T&E, Ecological Services Research U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Forest Service Bird Conservation Support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Birds Government Agencies State – Land Management, Regulatory, Research Federal

4. Land Management Agencies Time in the field Data collection Birds, veg, streams, mammals, herps Time in the office Proactive - resource management plans Commenting on your agency’s plans/actions Environmental Impact Statements Data analysis and writing Many teams and working groups Publishing not required, may not even be supported

5. Regulatory Agencies Less time in the field More time in the office More activity tied to laws and regulations Reactive – responding to actions of others Many teams and working groups Publishing not required, may not even be supported

6. Research Agencies PhD required for top positions Research topics constrained Mostly applied But at the core of conservation biology Publishing required as in academia

7. Bird Conservation Support USFWS Migratory Birds Research Monitoring Planning and assessment Involvement with and support many partners

8. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ How Often do Jobs Become Available In Various Fields? Highly Dependent on Economics of nation and state Political support for conservation Good News Baby Boomers are Bailing

9. What are the Salaries?

10. Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Specialist I $31,404-$49,561 Wildlife Specialist II $36,453-$56,964 Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Management Biologist $34,680-$61,164 Biometrician $42,132-$68,820 Wildlife Regional Supervisor $43,824-$77,412

11. U.S. Government General Pay Schedule

12. U.S. Government General Pay Schedule Highest salaries for PhD research scientists in USGS/USFS OR for managers

13. What are Job Interviews Like? Highly variable – depends on person hiring Be prepared – likely will be asked questions that have already appeared in job description Be articulate – answer questions clearly Be frank – don’t BS Be and look professional Have a good vocabulary Show enthusiasm Ask pertinent questions about the job – show you did your homework Don’t give yourself bad press

14. What Should you do Now to Increase your Chances of Being Hired in the Future? Strong quantitative skills for research positions Strong people skills Good team player Everything is done in teams/partnerships Diverse background in classes and experience Get diverse field research experience!! Set yourself apart Learn Spanish

15. Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Careers How important is it to you to be able to: Conduct your own research? Conduct research? Publish, present, be involved in the AOU Work outside? Live and work in different regions? Increase your power, influence, and money?