What does a staff biologist do?
Staff biologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real staff biologist resumes:
- Manage detailed GLP laboratory manual daily.
- Navigate to remote project sites using GPS, topo maps, aerial photographs, and GIS layers.
- Conduct multi-layer GIS analysis for projects.
- Collect survey measurements using survey grade GPS and laser survey equipment.
- Full service management to private landowners and their fisheries, water-foul and whitetail deer breeder programs.
- Develop a working knowledge of ArcPad 8.0, ArcMap GIS 9.3 and operation of Trimble Yuma PDAs.
- Provide consultation to the public regarding fisheries and aquatic resource management.
- Participate in cell base resistance selection experiments and subsequent sequencing of viral RNA.
- Project require review of existing environmental data, identification of permitting requirements, wetland identification/delineation and sensitive and endanger species issues.
- Gain experience in boat, barge, and backpack electrofishing surveys in order to identify stream fishes.
- Apply aquatic algaecides and herbicides to lakes and ponds utilizing a spray boat or a backpack applicator.
- Test for chlorides and hardness using digital titration; also test total and fecal coliform.
- Perform research in immunology and virology as a part of the vaccine development division; develop and validate bioassays.
Staff biologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Staff Biologists are proficient in FDA, Wetland, and Species ACT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Emotional stamina and stability, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Staff Biologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- FDA, 8%
Supported COX-2 franchise and submitted annual non-clinical pharmacology updates to regulatory group for FDA submission.
- Wetland, 8%
Project required review of existing environmental data, identification of permitting requirements, wetland identification/delineation and sensitive and endangered species issues.
- Species ACT, 8%
Assisted NRCS State Biologist with wetland delineations and consultation with listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
- Molecular Biology, 8%
Trained lab personnel in various molecular biology and separation chemistry assays.
- GLP, 7%
Conducted GLP and Non-GLP studies for Toxicology and safety assessment.
- Water ACT, 6%
Provided technical support and guidance to staff and clients for NEPA and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act compliance.
Most staff biologists use their skills in "fda," "wetland," and "species act" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential staff biologist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a staff biologist to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "zoologists and wildlife biologists write about and present their research to the public, policymakers, and academic audiences." Staff biologists often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "establish communication and activities with staff from biological, analytical chemistry, quality assurance and study directors. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of staff biologists is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday staff biologist duties, as "zoologists and wildlife biologists typically work on teams and must be able to work effectively with others." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "conducted creel surveys utilizing interpersonal skills, data entry skills, and organizational skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a staff biologist to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what staff biologists relies on this skill, since "zoologists and wildlife biologists try to find solutions to wildlife threats, such as disease and habitat loss." How this skill relates to staff biologist duties can be seen in an example from a staff biologist resume snippet: "prepare solutions and culture media and maintain multiple cell lines following sterile technique. "
The three companies that hire the most staff biologists are:
- SWCA Environmental Consultants7 staff biologists jobs
- Burns & McDonnell4 staff biologists jobs
- M.I.T. International, Inc.1 staff biologists jobs
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Compare different staff biologists
Staff biologist vs. Fish culture supervisor
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, staff biologist responsibilities require skills like "fda," "wetland," "species act," and "molecular biology." Meanwhile a typical fish culture supervisor has skills in areas such as "payroll," "customer service," "performance evaluations," and "cultural events." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, fish culture supervisors reach lower levels of education than staff biologists. Fish culture supervisors are 12.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Staff biologist vs. Fish culture technician
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that staff biologist responsibilities requires skills like "fda," "wetland," "species act," and "molecular biology." But a fish culture technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab equipment," "data entry," "oversight," and "medical terminology."
Fish culture technicians earn similar levels of education than staff biologists in general. They're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for staff biologists 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
Staff biologist vs. Aquatic scientist
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from staff biologist resumes include skills like "fda," "wetland," "species act," and "molecular biology," whereas an aquatic scientist is more likely to list skills in "statistical analyses," "npdes," "analyze data," and "water plants. "
Aquatic scientists typically earn similar educational levels compared to staff biologists. Specifically, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Staff biologist vs. Research fisheries biologist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between staff biologists and research fisheries biologists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a staff biologist might have more use for skills like "fda," "wetland," "species act," and "molecular biology." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of research fisheries biologists require skills like "research projects," "noaa," "conduct research," and "pi. "
The average resume of research fisheries biologists showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to staff biologists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 11.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 8.8%.Types of staff biologist
Updated January 8, 2025
