Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wildlife Research Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Wildlife Research Technician supports scientific research and conservation projects by planning and executing field surveys, handling and sampling wildlife humanely, maintaining field equipment and datasets, and translating field observations into accurate datasets and technical reports. This role requires strong practical field skills, attention to regulatory compliance (permits and safety), and the ability to work independently in remote conditions as well as collaboratively on multi-disciplinary teams. Keywords: wildlife research technician, field biologist, telemetry, camera trap surveys, habitat assessment, data collection, sample processing, GIS mapping, conservation monitoring.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Technician / Seasonal Field Assistant
Wildlife or Natural Resources Intern
Lab Assistant (ecology, genetics, or conservation labs)

Advancement To:

Senior Wildlife Technician / Lead Field Technician
Research Associate / Project Scientist
Wildlife Biologist / Ecologist
Graduate study (M.S. / Ph.D.) or Program Manager in conservation organizations

Lateral Moves:

GIS Technician / Spatial Analyst
Conservation Outreach Coordinator
Natural Resources Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan, coordinate, and execute field surveys for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates following published protocols and study designs; adapt protocols in the field to account for weather, access, and animal welfare while maintaining data integrity.
Humanely capture, handle, measure, band/tag, and release animals using methods such as mist-netting, Sherman trapping, pitfall arrays, hoop nets, baited cage traps, and live traps, following approved animal care protocols and permit conditions.
Operate, deploy, service, and recover telemetry equipment (VHF/UHF radio telemetry and GPS satellite tags) for tracking individual animals, including antenna use, triangulation methods, downloading GPS/GSM data, and troubleshooting tag performance.
Deploy, maintain, and retrieve remote camera traps, acoustic recorders, automated recording units, and environmental data loggers; manage camera placement, baiting protocols, and metadata standards to maximize detection and data quality.
Collect, label, preserve, and process biological samples (blood, tissue, hair, feces, swabs) for genetic, stable isotope, disease screening, or contaminant analyses, following chain-of-custody, cold-chain, and biohazard protocols.
Perform vegetation and habitat assessments using standardized plots, transects, and cover/structure measurements; record habitat variables relevant to species occupancy and resource selection models.
Conduct nest searches, nest monitoring, brood counts, and reproductive success assessments for avian or reptile studies while minimizing disturbance and applying nest-survival methodologies.
Conduct mark-recapture, capture-recapture, or capture-mark-recapture studies including unique marking, secure storage of marking supplies, and rigorous recording of capture histories to support population estimation.
Operate field vehicles, ATVs/UTVs, and watercraft safely and legally to access study sites; maintain vehicle logs, perform routine maintenance checks, and adhere to safety and operator certification requirements.
Use GPS/GNSS devices and mapping apps to locate sites, create accurate georeferenced waypoints, and support field navigation and access planning in remote or rugged terrain.
Enter, curate, and quality-check field and laboratory data using field apps (e.g., Fulcrum, Survey123), spreadsheets, relational databases, and standardized metadata templates to ensure reproducibility and version control.
Implement QA/QC procedures for data collection and laboratory processing, identify inconsistencies, correct errors, and prepare datasets for analysis by biostatisticians or principal investigators.
Assist with laboratory tasks including DNA extraction, sample aliquoting, centrifugation, and preparation of samples for shipment to analytical labs under sterile and documented conditions.
Prepare and maintain permits, protocol documentation, euthanasia logs (if applicable), animal handling records, and institutional animal care and use (IACUC) compliance materials; coordinate permit renewals and reporting to regulatory agencies.
Maintain, calibrate, and repair field and laboratory equipment (radio receivers, GPS units, camera traps, nets, respirators) and maintain an organized inventory of supplies; advise on procurement priorities and budgeting for field seasons.
Train, supervise, and mentor seasonal field staff, volunteers, and students in species-specific capture and handling, safety protocols, data entry, and field ethics to ensure consistent and ethical fieldwork execution.
Conduct preliminary analyses using R, Python, ArcGIS/QGIS, or other software to summarize detection rates, produce occupancy inputs, map telemetry locations, and inform ongoing field decisions and adaptive sampling.
Prepare clear, concise technical reports, field logs, data summaries, and GIS maps for project leads, funders, and land managers; contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and outreach materials summarizing results and conservation implications.
Conduct outreach and coordinate with private landowners, agency partners, and stakeholders to obtain access, explain study objectives, and ensure compliance with site-specific requirements, safety, and cultural considerations.
Ensure adherence to field safety plans, wildlife handling SOPs, First Aid/CPR protocols, and incident reporting; lead or participate in safety briefings, vehicle inspections, and emergency response drills.
Monitor animal health and welfare in the field, document injuries or mortalities, collect necropsy-quality samples when appropriate, and coordinate with veterinarians or disease specialists for diagnostic follow-up.
Maintain flexibility to work irregular schedules (nights, weekends, long field deployments), adapt to remote living conditions, and manage field logistics including food, shelter, fuel, and equipment transport for multi-day expeditions.
Develop and maintain detailed metadata and data management plans that conform to funder and institutional requirements, including secure backups, file naming conventions, and archiving raw and processed datasets.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and perform exploratory data summaries and visualizations to inform field decisions and reporting timelines.
Contribute to the project's data strategy, metadata standards, and long-term archival plans to ensure datasets are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR).
Collaborate with GIS analysts and data scientists to translate field-derived observations into spatial datasets and analysis-ready inputs for habitat modeling and species distribution mapping.
Assist project leads with permit applications, data collection plans, and risk assessments; track permit conditions and reporting deadlines.
Participate in outreach events, workshops, and community science initiatives to engage stakeholders and communicate project methods and findings.
Help maintain safety and training records for field teams, update SOPs based on lessons learned, and participate in after-action reviews to improve field operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven expertise in safe capture, handling, and restraint techniques for target taxa (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates) and adherence to animal care protocols and permits.
Radio telemetry skills: VHF/UHF tracking, antenna selection and use, triangulation methods, GPS collar and tag deployment support, and downloading/processing telemetry datasets.
Field GPS/GNSS navigation and spatial data collection using handheld units (Garmin), mobile mapping apps (e.g., Avenza, Collector, Survey123), and post-processing for accuracy.
GIS proficiency: ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS for mapping survey effort, telemetry fixes, habitat covariates, and producing publication-quality figures.
Data management and analysis with R (tidyverse, sf, lme4), Python (pandas, geopandas), and SQL for data cleaning, summary statistics, and basic modeling; familiarity with Program MARK or PRESENCE a plus.
Camera trap and acoustic survey experience including deployment strategies, settings, data retrieval, image/audio processing pipelines, and use of software (e.g., CameraBase, Wildlife Insights, Kaleidoscope).
Laboratory sampling and processing skills: sterile sampling techniques, cold-chain sample storage, basic molecular lab prep (extraction, aliquoting), and knowledge of biosafety practices.
Competent operation of field vehicles, ATVs/UTVs, and small watercraft; demonstrated ability to obtain and maintain driver/operator certifications and clean driving records.
Experience with trapping equipment and maintenance (Sherman, Tomahawk, mist nets, harp traps) and knowledge of trap-check schedules, animal welfare standards, and release procedures.
Proficiency in electronic data collection tools (Fulcrum, Survey123, Epicollect) and establishing standardized metadata and file-naming conventions for collaborative projects.
Experience preparing permits, IACUC and agency reports, and maintaining chain-of-custody and compliance documentation for regulated species and protected areas.

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to data accuracy and documentation.
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make timely field decisions under variable, sometimes stressful conditions.
Clear verbal and written communication: prepare technical summaries, brief non-technical stakeholders, and convey safety and methodological instructions to field teams.
Team-oriented with experience mentoring or supervising seasonal staff and volunteers and promoting a positive, inclusive field culture.
High degree of adaptability and resilience for extended remote fieldwork, variable weather, and irregular schedules.
Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage logistics, equipment maintenance, and project deliverables concurrently.
Cultural sensitivity and professional conduct when working with private landowners, Indigenous communities, and multi-agency partners.
Ethical judgment and a strong commitment to animal welfare, conservation principles, and regulatory compliance.
Initiative to proactively identify equipment or data issues and work with supervisors to implement corrective actions.
Openness to continued learning and skill development (e.g., new sensors, statistical methods, or permit requirements).

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Science, or related discipline preferred for senior technician or project lead roles.
Certifications or coursework in wildlife handling, telemetry, GIS, or statistical ecology are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Wildlife Biology
Ecology
Conservation Biology
Zoology
Natural Resources / Environmental Science
Fisheries Biology
Biostatistics / GIS (as supportive coursework)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–3 years of progressive field research experience; seasonal and internship experience often acceptable for entry-level roles.

Preferred:

2+ years of focused field experience with capture/handling and telemetry or camera trapping on focal taxa.
Demonstrated experience with data management, R or Python scripting for data cleaning and basic analyses, and ArcGIS/QGIS mapping.
Experience supervising seasonal crews, preparing permit applications, and contributing to technical reports or peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Valid driver's license; boat operator, First Aid/CPR, and specific equipment/operator certifications preferred or required depending on project.
Willingness to travel for extended field deployments and work flexible hours including nights and weekends.