Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wildlife Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Wildlife Assistant supports conservation and research programs by conducting field surveys, collecting biological and habitat data, assisting with animal capture and handling under supervision, maintaining equipment and infrastructure, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This role is essential for population monitoring, habitat assessment, restoration projects, and scientific studies that inform conservation actions. Ideal candidates are safety-minded, detail-oriented, physically fit for extended fieldwork, and experienced with GPS/GIS, wildlife handling protocols, and data management.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Technician or Field Assistant (ecological surveys)
Research Assistant in ecology, zoology, or wildlife biology
Conservation Corps or seasonal natural resource technician

Advancement To:

Wildlife Biologist
Senior Field Technician / Crew Lead
Project Manager for conservation/restoration projects
Conservation Scientist or Research Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Educator or Outreach Specialist
GIS Analyst specialized in natural resources
Habitat Restoration Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct standardized wildlife surveys (point counts, transects, call-playback, spotlight surveys) to collect population and occupancy data for birds, mammals, herpetofauna, and other taxa following established protocols and quality assurance procedures.
Assist with live capture and release operations (mist-netting, cage traps, Sherman traps, live-capture nets) under the direction of licensed biologists, ensuring animal welfare and adherence to permit and institutional animal care protocols.
Operate and maintain telemetry equipment (VHF/GPS collars, receivers, antennas) to track radio-tagged animals, perform homing and triangulation, and upload telemetry fixes to project databases.
Deploy, maintain, and service remote camera traps, acoustic recorders, and automated monitoring stations; retrieve and catalog image/audio data and perform initial quality checks and metadata tagging.
Collect biological samples (blood, tissue swabs, hair, feces) and environmental samples (water, soil, vegetation) following chain-of-custody, biosafety, and laboratory submission protocols.
Conduct vegetation and habitat assessments including plot-based sampling, canopy structure measurements, invasive species surveys, and restoration monitoring; record habitat covariates for correlation with wildlife data.
Operate small boats, ATVs/UTVs, and off-road vehicles to access remote field sites safely; perform pre- and post-shift vehicle and equipment inspections and basic maintenance.
Assist in handling and restraint procedures for routine husbandry tasks (weighing, measuring, banding/tagging) under supervision and in accordance with animal welfare guidelines.
Perform nest monitoring, nest box installation and checks, and breeding phenology observations; document reproductive success metrics and disturbances.
Maintain accurate, timely, and validated field records and observational logs using electronic data collection tools (tablet/phone apps, GPS units) and paper forms when necessary.
Enter, clean, and manage field data in spreadsheets, databases, or data management platforms; ensure metadata completeness and coordinate with data managers for integration.
Prepare field materials, assemble kits, sterilize and calibrate sampling instruments, and ensure field safety supplies (first-aid, PPE, communication devices) are stocked and functional.
Assist with capture-related logistics including site setup, trap placement, anaesthesia support (if applicable only under licensed personnel), and post-capture monitoring and release.
Support population and demographic study protocols including mark-recapture workflows, banding, PIT-tagging, or other individual marking and re-sighting efforts.
Conduct nocturnal surveys and night-time fieldwork using headlamps and specialized equipment while implementing strict safety protocols for low-light operations.
Implement invasive species control actions (manual removal, treatment monitoring) and assist in habitat restoration tasks such as native planting, erosion control, and seed collection.
Support public-facing activities such as volunteer coordination, citizen science training, or outreach events to increase community engagement in monitoring programs.
Troubleshoot and repair field electronics and sensors in the field when possible, and coordinate with equipment vendors for service or replacement as needed.
Follow all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and permit conditions, complete required reporting, and assist with permit applications and renewals as requested by project leads.
Assist scientists and project leads with experimental setup, plot marking, and deployment of research-grade instruments for ecophysiology, behavior, or movement ecology studies.
Conduct carcass searches, handle and transport wildlife remains to appropriate facilities, assist with necropsy prep and sample submission when required, following health and safety protocols.
Provide regular progress reports to supervisors, contribute to field notes that support formal reports and publications, and support preparation of maps, figures, and appendices for technical documents.
Participate in regular team briefings, training sessions, and safety meetings, and help update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and field manuals based on lessons learned.
Collect geospatial data using GPS units and tablets, create waypoints, and ensure spatial data integrity for subsequent GIS analysis.
Adhere to biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of disease between sites and animals, including equipment sterilization and decontamination procedures.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests from project managers, compile datasets for analysis, and prepare data summaries and visualizations for internal use.
Contribute to the organization's monitoring strategy by providing field-based insights on feasibility, seasonal constraints, and equipment needs.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (GIS, lab technicians, research scientists) to translate field-collected data into formats suitable for analysis and reporting.
Assist with grant-supported deliverables by contributing to methods sections, drafting materials for reports, and documenting field methodologies.
Maintain inventory logs of field supplies and consumables and coordinate procurement to avoid downtime during intensive survey seasons.
Support volunteer and seasonal staff onboarding by delivering hands-on field training in survey protocols, safety practices, and data entry standards.
Participate in community outreach events and educational programs to share project results and promote stewardship of wildlife and habitats.
Help maintain and update project GIS layers (e.g., transects, camera locations, capture sites) and support map production for stakeholder briefings and permitting.
Evaluate and recommend improvements to field logistics, such as mapping access routes, staging field caches, and optimizing technician schedules to increase efficiency.
Complete administrative tasks related to field operations including timekeeping, expense reporting, and tracking permit conditions and reporting deadlines.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in wildlife survey techniques: point counts, line transects, call-playback, camera trapping, and spotlighting with demonstrated accuracy and repeatability.
Experience operating radio-telemetry equipment (VHF/GPS) including antenna use, triangulation, and data retrieval workflows.
Proficient with handheld GPS units (Garmin, Trimble), mobile field data collection apps (e.g., Fulcrum, Survey123, Collector), and offline geospatial data capture.
Competent using ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, or similar GIS tools to display and validate spatial data and support mapping products for reports.
Strong data management skills: data entry, cleaning, QA/QC practices; proficient in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, vlookups), and basic database use.
Familiarity with camera trap data management and initial image review workflows (e.g., Camera Base, Timelapse2) and basic automated image recognition tools.
Field equipment maintenance and troubleshooting skills including battery systems, solar panels, sensors, and camera housings.
Experience with sample collection protocols for lab submission (blood draw assistance, swabs, tissue sampling), chain-of-custody, and cold-chain logistics.
Ability to safely operate ATVs/UTVs, small watercraft, and four-wheel-drive vehicles in remote terrain; valid driver’s license and clean driving record preferred.
Basic familiarity with statistical or scripting tools (R, Python) for exploratory data summaries and supporting team analyses is a plus.
Knowledge of local and federal permitting requirements (state wildlife permits, ESA considerations) and experience working under permit conditions.
First Aid/CPR certification and knowledge of field safety procedures including bear-aware protocols, tick-borne disease precautions, and remote-site emergency response.
Comfortable performing nocturnal fieldwork and working in inclement weather or rugged field conditions for extended shifts.
Experience with invasive species identification and removal techniques, and habitat restoration practices such as native planting and erosion control.

Soft Skills

Excellent attention to detail and strong observational skills for accurate species identification and reliable data collection.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to write clear field notes, summarize findings, and communicate safety issues to supervisors.
Highly collaborative team player who can take direction, train volunteers/seasonal staff, and work constructively within multidisciplinary teams.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to adapt protocols in the field while maintaining data integrity and documenting deviations.
Self-motivated, dependable, and able to manage time effectively during long field days and multi-day deployments.
Cultural sensitivity and community engagement skills for working with landowners, Indigenous communities, and public stakeholders.
Physically fit and resilient, capable of hiking long distances with gear, lifting field equipment, and working in remote conditions.
Strong organizational skills for maintaining equipment inventories, managing sample chains, and tracking permit and reporting requirements.
Ethical judgment and commitment to animal welfare, biosafety, and regulatory compliance in all field activities.
Calm under pressure with the ability to respond to wildlife emergencies, adverse weather, or logistical challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant field experience; equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources, Zoology, or related biological sciences.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Wildlife Biology
Ecology
Conservation Biology
Natural Resources Management
Zoology
Environmental Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years of field experience for entry-level/seasonal Wildlife Assistant roles; 1–3 years preferred for permanent technician positions.

Preferred:

2+ years experience conducting field wildlife surveys, animal handling support, telemetry, and habitat assessments.
Demonstrated experience with GIS mapping, camera trap deployments, and electronic field data collection platforms.
Experience working under state or federal wildlife permits, and prior training in animal capture/handling or working with veterinary staff is a strong plus.