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Wildlife Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$106K/yr

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager for the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Midway Atoll is an isolated, remote field site with 30-50 residents comprised of FWS employees, volunteers ...

$106K/yr

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager for the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Midway Atoll is an isolated, remote field site with 30-50 residents comprised of FWS employees, volunteers ...

Administer, coordinate and implement the management of 17 State Wildlife Management Areas within the assigned area. Coordinate and administer area related contractual services, agricultural leases ...

Hourly Wage/Part-Time Senior management: Natural Resources Department: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Location: Stafford, Virginia Categories: Natural Resources The Natural Resources Specialist will ...

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Wildlife Manager information

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$24.5K

$59.5K

$116K

How much do wildlife manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for wildlife manager in the United States is $59,525.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $68,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wildlife manager?

A Wildlife Manager is responsible for overseeing the conservation and management of wildlife populations and their habitats. They develop and implement strategies to maintain ecological balance, enforce wildlife laws, and collaborate with researchers, policymakers, and the public. Their duties may include habitat restoration, species monitoring, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts. Wildlife Managers often work for government agencies, conservation organizations, or private landowners to ensure sustainable wildlife populations.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a wildlife manager?

To thrive as a Wildlife Manager, you need a strong background in ecology, wildlife biology, and conservation, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with GIS software, field data collection tools, and safety certifications such as CPR or wildlife handling are often required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills help Wildlife Managers work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders. These skills and qualifications are critical for managing habitats, conducting field research, and ensuring wildlife populations and natural areas are sustainably maintained.

What challenges do wildlife managers face in their day-to-day work?

Wildlife Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing the conservation needs of wildlife with land use demands from agriculture, recreation, or development. Fieldwork can involve working in remote locations, sometimes in harsh weather or challenging terrain, requiring physical stamina and adaptability. Interacting with stakeholders—including government agencies, private landowners, and the public—can also be complex due to differing priorities and expectations. Despite these challenges, the role is highly rewarding for those passionate about conservation, providing opportunities to make a tangible impact on local ecosystems and wildlife populations.

More about Wildlife Manager jobs

What cities are hiring for Wildlife Manager jobs?

Cities with the most Wildlife Manager job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Wildlife jobs?

The most popular types of Wildlife jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Wildlife Manager jobs?

The top employers for Wildlife Manager jobs are:

What states have the most Wildlife Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Wildlife Manager jobs include:

Infographic showing various Wildlife Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,525 per year, or $28.6 per hour.

$89K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

WILDLIFE REFUGE MANAGER GS-0485-12 $89,508 - $116,362. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Qualifications:All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/08/2026-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.

-AND-

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:
A. Degree: zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology.. You must submit transcripts.
-OR-
B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) experience planning and directing a broad variety of management operations in a natural resource setting; (2) planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of a wildlife management program; (3) developing long and short-term management plans; (4) leading a staff of professional and nonprofessional personnel; and (5) experience implementing natural resources laws, rules and regulations that affect the National Wildlife Refuge System. You must include hours per week worked.

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 does not allow substituting education for experience.
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-qualificationsEmployment Type: OTHER