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Wildlife Management Jobs in Puerto Rico (NOW HIRING)

Wildlife Management information

What is wildlife management?

Wildlife management is the practice of preserving, protecting, and regulating wildlife populations and their habitats. It involves scientific research, habitat restoration, population monitoring, and the development of policies to ensure the sustainability of animal species and ecosystems. Professionals in this field work to balance the needs of wildlife with those of humans, often addressing issues such as conservation, hunting regulations, and wildlife-related conflicts. Effective wildlife management helps maintain biodiversity and supports healthy ecosystems.

What are wildlife management jobs?

There are a variety of jobs in the wildlife management field. There is a large call for biologists who study marine life, fisheries, wildlife, habitat restoration, endangered species, and more. Managers and technicians for hatcheries, zoos, aquariums, and sanctuaries are essential. Wildlife officers play a crucial role by enforcing the laws set into place for conservation. Water and environmental specialists are other jobs that entail having specific in-depth knowledge. International and exotic wildlife specialists also have a role to play, and park rangers fall in the category of wildlife management jobs. Many jobs are part of government agencies, but jobs at individual centers and private foundations also exist.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in wildlife management, and why are they important?

To thrive in Wildlife Management, you need a solid background in biology, ecology, and conservation science, often supported by a related degree or certification. Familiarity with GIS software, data collection tools, and regulatory compliance systems is commonly required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills help professionals collaborate with stakeholders and address complex environmental challenges. These skills are crucial for effective wildlife conservation, habitat management, and ensuring ecological balance.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in wildlife management, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in wildlife management often encounter challenges such as balancing conservation goals with human activities, managing conflicts between wildlife and local communities, and adapting to changing environmental conditions. Addressing these challenges usually involves collaborating closely with government agencies, researchers, and the public to develop sustainable management plans. Effective communication, ongoing education, and staying updated with the latest research and technology are essential for success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Wildlife Management vs Wildlife Conservationist?

AspectWildlife ManagementWildlife Conservationist
CredentialsBiology degrees, certifications in wildlife managementBiology or environmental science degrees, conservation certifications
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, parks, wildlife agenciesResearch centers, NGOs, government agencies
Employer & IndustryWildlife agencies, parks, forestry departmentsConservation organizations, NGOs, government agencies

Wildlife Management focuses on maintaining healthy wildlife populations through habitat management, population control, and resource allocation. Wildlife Conservationists aim to protect species and habitats through research, advocacy, and policy. While both roles involve working with wildlife, Management emphasizes population control and habitat maintenance, whereas Conservation emphasizes species protection and environmental advocacy.

Do wildlife management professionals make good money?

Wildlife management professionals typically earn a median annual salary that varies by region and experience, with entry-level positions often paying around $40,000 to $50,000 and experienced roles reaching $70,000 or more. Salaries can increase with advanced degrees, certifications, and specialized skills such as habitat analysis or conservation planning. The job often involves fieldwork, environmental monitoring, and collaboration with government agencies or conservation organizations.

Is a degree in wildlife management worth it?

A degree in wildlife management provides foundational knowledge in ecology, conservation, and resource management, which are essential for careers in the field. It can improve job prospects and eligibility for positions that require specialized skills, though practical experience and certifications like GIS or habitat management are also valuable. Overall, it is considered worthwhile for those committed to working in wildlife conservation and management roles.

What are some careers in wildlife management?

Careers in wildlife management include wildlife biologists, conservation officers, habitat managers, and environmental educators. These roles often require knowledge of ecology, fieldwork skills, and sometimes specialized certifications or degrees in environmental science or biology. Professionals in this field work to protect and conserve wildlife and their habitats through research, policy, and management practices.

What are popular job titles related to Wildlife Management jobs in Puerto Rico?

For Wildlife Management jobs in Puerto Rico, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Wildlife Management jobs in Puerto Rico look for?

The top searched job categories for Wildlife Management jobs in Puerto Rico are:

Infographic showing various Wildlife Management job openings in Puerto Rico as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Fish & Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Mayaguez, PR • On-site, Remote

$61K - $97K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

627th of 854 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Summary
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate of 2.49% is authorized.
Promotion to the full performance level (GS-11) is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:
  • Represent the Service at professional meetings and other meetings pertaining to species associated with the Food Security Act and provide technical assistance and regulatory information to other Service Programs and agencies (Federal, and state) to properly satisfy requirements of the Act.
  • Acts as Service representative to implement required Intra Service consultation and NEPA review.
  • Develops cooperative agreements with Federal, tribal, state, local, and private individuals and organizations for wetland preservation, enhancement, and restoration projects on private, and public lands. Participates in review, evaluation, and development of plans for Wetland Reserve Program.
  • Conducts habitat restorations on private lands, including landowner contacts, mapping, surveying, staking, construction monitoring, seeding, and other related activities, and prepares management plans for restored areas. Responsible for review and development of conservation easements with multi-agency review teams for Farm Services Agency inventory and debt restructuring properties.?
  • Provide biological support on a variety of issues relating to the restoration, preservation, and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Must be fully bi-lingual in English and Spanish
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/04/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
To qualify for this position, you must meet the following Basic Educational Requirement and Minimum Qualification:
Basic Educational Requirement: You must possess one of the following:
  • Degree: In biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: In addition to the Basic Educational Requirement, you must possess one of the following:
  • Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service performing work in or directly related to the position to be filled. This experience includes: 1) assisting in habitat restorations on private lands (includes landowner contacts, mapping, surveying, staking, construction monitoring, seeding, or other related activities); 2) utilize Habitat Information Tracking System to record environmental data; and 3) providing technical assistance in the area of fish and wildlife resources to Federal and State agencies that ensures they are in compliance with Federal and/or State environmental regulation. -OR-
  • Education: Have two years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree closely related field which clearly provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully complete the work of the position. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience as listed above. To combine education and experience, first take percentage of education beyond your first year of graduate level education. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position has a mandatory education requirement.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
This position is suitable for situational telework supervisor approval.
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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