1

Field Biologist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Education: Graduate degree with at least 18 graduate credit hours in Human Anatomy and Physiology or a related biological science field. * Experience: Teaching experience, preferably at the ...

Showing results 41-60

Field Biologist information

See Virginia salary details

$22.3K

$60.6K

$104.6K

How much do field biologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for field biologist in Virginia is $60,649.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,100.00 and $68,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a field biologist?

A field biologist is a scientist who studies organisms and their environments in natural settings, rather than in laboratories. Their work often involves observing and collecting data on plants, animals, and ecosystems to better understand ecological relationships and the impact of environmental changes. Field biologists may work in diverse habitats, from forests and oceans to deserts and wetlands, and often contribute to conservation efforts, wildlife management, and environmental research.

What does a field biologist do?

As a field biologist, your job is to study wildlife in its natural environment. This involves using both biology and botany knowledge to research living things in the wilderness instead of a laboratory. One of the most important aspects this job is studying how living things interact with each other in a complex ecosystem. Using this information, you support wildlife management, habitat improvement, environmental landscaping, and the enforcement of environmental regulations. Facilities like power stations often use field biologists to ensure the facility's operations aren't harming nearby wildlife.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a field biologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Field Biologist, you need a solid background in biology or environmental science, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree and experience with field research techniques. Familiarity with tools such as GPS devices, data collection software, and sometimes specialized certifications like wildlife handling permits is common. Strong observational skills, adaptability, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help field biologists excel in diverse and sometimes challenging environments. These skills are essential for collecting accurate data, collaborating with research teams, and contributing meaningful insights to ecological studies and conservation efforts.

What are some common challenges a field biologist might face during fieldwork, and how are they typically addressed?

Field Biologists often encounter unpredictable weather, remote locations, and logistical challenges such as transporting equipment and samples. Working in varying terrains can require adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. Safety protocols, thorough planning, and teamwork are essential to address these obstacles, ensuring both data quality and personal well-being. Collaborating closely with local guides, other researchers, and conservation organizations is also common to facilitate access and enhance research outcomes.

What is the difference between Field Biologist vs Wildlife Technician?

AspectField Biologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in biology, ecology, or related field; often requires fieldwork experience
Work EnvironmentOutdoor settings, research sites, nature reserves
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, government agencies, environmental organizations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for fieldwork roles in ecology and conservation

While both roles involve outdoor work and environmental knowledge, a Field Biologist typically conducts research, data collection, and ecological studies, often requiring higher education and specialized skills. A Wildlife Technician may focus more on supporting field activities, habitat management, and data recording, often with less emphasis on research design. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify roles aligned with their skills and career goals.

Is it hard to become a field biologist?

Becoming a field biologist typically requires a relevant degree such as a bachelor's or master's in biology, ecology, or environmental science, along with practical experience through internships or research projects. The job can be physically demanding and often involves irregular hours and outdoor work, but success depends on dedication, skills in data collection, and knowledge of ecological systems.

What jobs can you get with a field biologist degree?

A degree in field biology can lead to careers such as wildlife biologist, environmental consultant, conservation scientist, or research technician. These roles often involve fieldwork, data collection, and environmental analysis, and may require knowledge of GIS tools and ecological principles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Field Biologist jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Field Biologist jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Field Biologist jobs in Virginia?

For Field Biologist jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Field Biologist jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Field Biologist job openings:

Infographic showing various Field Biologist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,649 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

DTRA DA - OAS - Counter Proliferation Analyst (CWAS) (Chemical SME) (Teammate)

Beyond SOF

Herndon, VA • On-site

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

DTRA DA - OAS - Counter-Proliferation Analyst (CWAS) (Biological SME) (Teammate)
Full-time
Northern Virginia
Counter-Proliferation Analyst (Biological SME)
As a Client of Counter-Proliferation Analyst (Biological SME), you will serve as a biological subject-
matter expert and technical authority with a focus on current/near-term events, plans, developments,
and trends pertaining to the proliferation of WMD and biological events; issues impacting biological
security; force protection; and force operability and survivability against a broad spectrum of nuclear,
biological, chemical, and other WMD events. As a biological subject matter expert, conducts applied
research on specific intelligence issues pertaining to the WMD threats to US and allied nations;
provides written input to reports and briefings; assists with answering requests for information (RFI);
assists in research and analytical data entries related to WMD; all for dissemination to Agency
leadership and its personnel, Combatant Commands, and the Intelligence Community (IC). You will
serve on a unique, multi-discipline team assisting DTRA, CCMDs, and IA and IC partners to fuse
operations and intelligence information to enhance Whole of Government efforts against biological
WMDs, threats, and counter-proliferation efforts, and the threat networks that facilitate or employ
those threats. You will adhere to DTRA production standards supporting the Government's Request
for Support (RFS) and Named Area of Interest (NAI) processes. You will assist in the preparation
and the conduct of leader engagements with DTRA and commanders globally, to assist in
developing processes that enhance situational understanding of Biological WMD and improvised
threats, and the networks that employ or facilitate them to enable DOD, IA, and IC efforts focused on
dismantling, disrupting, and defeating those threats.
More About the Role:
As a Counter-Proliferation Analyst with specialized experience in biological warfare and defense, you
will analyze and produce intelligence products for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
focused on biological WMDs, and counter-proliferation threats using advanced all source analytic
capabilities. You will apply expertise in biological WMD, counter-proliferation, and network analysis
(Counter Threat Network), social network analysis, and command and control systems. You will
serve as an All-Source Counter-Proliferation Intelligence Analyst with specialized experience in
biological warfare and defense whose primary responsibility will be informing DTRA activities
through structured research using multiple sources and analytic tool suites. You will deliver products
that increase the client's situational understanding and comprehension of biological WMD and
improvised threats, and associated counter-proliferation networks. You will assist in evaluating
paths to biological WMDs, including state WMD programs and potential proliferation, and support
real-world missions in a dynamic client environment.
The Counter-Proliferation Analyst (Biological SME) will respond to strategic, operational and tactical
collection needs based on raw intelligence and apply knowledge of related collection techniques and
possess working knowledge of tradecraft and tools used in the biological WMD and counter-
proliferation collection environment. You will assist in enabling DOD, IA, and IC communities of
action to dismantle, disrupt, and defeat biological WMD and counter-threat networks. To do this, you
will prioritize and categorize requests for support, conduct near- and long-term analyses of device
and network-centric problem sets, and fuse multiple intelligence disciplines. You will directly support
embedded teammates; answer requests for support from customers and work closely with the senior
analysts to develop high-quality products and work closely with other members of the team to
identify valuable information on biological WMD and counter-proliferation threats, and enemy
organizations; identify trends, patterns, and key nodes; and highlight relationships to the targeted
enemy networks.
You'll Bring These Qualifications:
• Current Top Secret/Specialized Compartmented Information Security Clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in biological related field (biology, microbiology, epidemiology, public health)
• More than 3 years of experience providing intelligence analysis for DoD and/or an intelligence
agency in an analyst role, including multi-intelligence WMD or counter-proliferation production in the
past 7 years
• More than 2 years of direct experience with DoD and IC All-Source analysis tools, collecting and
analyzing information in support of DoD or other government organizations, or direct experience
managing analytic production, or the exploitation of multi-intelligence data focused on WMD or
counter-proliferation
• More than 1 year of experience providing Attack the Network (AtN) analysis focused on WMD, CT,
or counter-proliferation/improvised threat networks.
• Practical understanding of collection techniques and working knowledge of tradecraft and tools
used in the WMD and counter-proliferation collection environment
• Practical understanding of network analysis tools such as Analyst Notebook and Palantir.
• Practical understanding of geospatial Intel tools such as ArcGIS and Google Earth.
• Practical understanding of Intel-related databases such as M3, TAC, NCTC Online, TIDE, ICReach
SIGINT database, Cultweave SIGINT database, PROTON SIGINT Database.
• Practical understanding of MS Office, Excel, and big-data analytic techniques for structured and
unstructured data.
• You must also possess the ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Willing to work rotating shifts if needed - that may include nights and weekends.
• Bachelor's degree and more than three years of experience, or an associate degree and five years
of experience, or seven years of relevant work experience. We will also consider candidates with
four years of directly relevant experience.
These Qualifications Would be Nice to Have:
• Graduate degree in biological related field (biology, microbiology, epidemiology, public health)
• Previous experience with CBRN/WMD-related intelligence (to include counter-proliferation,
pandemics, health/medical, biological preparedness, weapons technology, etc.)
• Scientific or technical education or background
• Experience with the DTRA including its planning processes
• Experience with the terminology used in the collection of data for chemicals, biologics, and WMDs
and their proliferation
• Knowledge of advanced internet-based research, including Boolean logic, advanced research
techniques, search engine and database resources, and Internet sources, including social media,
social networking tools, and commercial and industry-based databases.
• Experience accessing, researching, and exploiting global and regional digital platforms and PAI
data.
• Expert understanding of collection techniques and working knowledge of tradecraft and tools used
in the Biological WMD and counter-proliferation collection environment
• Expert understanding of network analysis tools such as Analyst Notebook and Palantir.
• Expert understanding of geospatial Intel tools such as ArcGIS and Google Earth.
• Expert understanding of Intel-related databases such as M3, TAC, NCTC Online, TIDE, ICReach
SIGINT database, Cultweave SIGINT database, PROTON SIGINT Database.
• Expert understanding of MS Office, Excel, and big-data analytic techniques for structured and
unstructured data.
• More than ten years of military experience, and/or a combination of military and IC Agency
experience, including recent combat deployments, and be well-versed in all areas of military
intelligence, WMD, and Counter-proliferation.
• Expert understanding of MS Office, Excel, and big-data analytic techniques for structured and
unstructured data