What does an ecologist do?
An ecologist is responsible for studying the ecosystem components and the interaction between humans and nature. Ecologists analyze the organisms' roles within an environment to identify solutions in solving nature issues and environmental concerns. They conduct data analysis and field investigations to support their claims, writing methodological studies, and strategizing techniques in minimizing the impact of human activities on the stability of the ecosystem. An ecologist presents the findings on research colloquiums and conferences, highlighting conservation plans and project models for environmental sustainability.
Ecologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real ecologist resumes:
- Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
- Perform surveys for target species including vascular and non-vascular plants, fungi, and lichens using BLM and USFS protocols.
- Issue gas and oil drilling permits on BLM land.
- Record and monitor nest locations using a marker system and GPS.
- Navigate through surrounding desert and massive mountain ranges using GPS and aerial topographic maps.
- Help with park events and or activities, occasionally put on patrol for the park
- Assist with helicopter patrol of the BPA transmission lines to determine the need for vegetation management.
- Organize logistics such as times, dates, personnel, and locations for NOAA small boat cruises.
- Plan, map, and organize trout stream field survey efforts for engineers to create stream restoration templates.
- Travele on assignment to federal nature preserves, national forests and lakes surveying areas after being scorch by wildfire.
- Perform wetland identification and delineation.
- Utilize GIS and wetland delineation analysis.
- Assess ecosystems for successful wetland creation.
- Assist in surveys design to identify previously undocument trout waters.
- Collect and analyze fisheries and aquatic data and prepare technical management reports.
Ecologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Ecologists are proficient in Data Collection, GPS, and GIS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Emotional stamina and stability, Observation skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Ecologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Collection, 10%
Experience in preparing information for maps, data collection, and reports.
- GPS, 10%
Report finalized noting flora and fauna observed and aerial map of delineation line (depicted using GPS points from Trimble).
- GIS, 6%
Utilized GIS and wetland delineation analysis.
- Technical Reports, 6%
Managed data entry, data analysis, and co-authored technical reports and findings.
- Data Management, 5%
Performed field work, data management and analysis.
- Data Entry, 5%
Conducted creel surveys utilizing interpersonal skills, data entry skills, and organizational skills.
Common skills that an ecologist uses to do their job include "data collection," "gps," and "gis." You can find details on the most important ecologist responsibilities below.
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of ecologists is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday ecologist duties, as "zoologists and wildlife biologists write about and present their research to the public, policymakers, and academic audiences." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "disseminated research findings through oral and written communication in academic, professional, and interagency settings. "
Interpersonal skills. ecologist responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "zoologists and wildlife biologists typically work on teams and must be able to work effectively with others." This resume example shows what ecologists do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "conducted creel surveys utilizing interpersonal skills, data entry skills, and organizational skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for ecologist responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of ecologists all the time, as "zoologists and wildlife biologists try to find solutions to wildlife threats, such as disease and habitat loss." An excerpt from a real ecologist resume shows how this skill is central to what an ecologist does: "trained new staff members, and provided technical assistance for the resolution of problems. "
The three companies that hire the most ecologists are:
- Wsp USA Buildings Inc.21 ecologists jobs
- Stantec10 ecologists jobs
- Battelle8 ecologists jobs
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Compare different ecologists
Ecologist vs. Wildlife division manager
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between ecologists and wildlife division manager. For instance, ecologist responsibilities require skills such as "gps," "gis," "technical reports," and "data management." Whereas a wildlife division manager is skilled in "wildlife habitat," "law enforcement," "fish species," and "natural resource management." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that wildlife division managers earn slightly differ from ecologists. In particular, wildlife division managers are 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an ecologist. Additionally, they're 4.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Ecologist vs. Wildlife biology technician
Each career also uses different skills, according to real ecologist resumes. While ecologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "technical reports," "data management," "data entry," and "arcgis," wildlife biology technicians use skills like "wildlife habitat," "owl," "atv," and "plant species."
Wildlife biology technicians earn lower levels of education than ecologists in general. They're 8.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for ecologists in the next 3-5 years?
John Turbeville Ph.D.
Senior Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Career Services, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Ecologist vs. Wildlife health specialist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an ecologist is likely to be skilled in "technical reports," "data management," "data entry," and "arcgis," while a typical wildlife health specialist is skilled in "ladders," "wild animals," "wildlife damage," and "snares."
Wildlife health specialists earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $50,869. Ecologists earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $69,751.wildlife health specialists typically earn lower educational levels compared to ecologists. Specifically, they're 13.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Ecologist vs. Marine scientist
Types of ecologist
Updated January 8, 2025
