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Wildlife Refuge Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Internships | Texas A&M University Kingsville

$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 ...

US Department of the Interior

$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 ...

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE

$16 - $20.45/hr

Fish and Wildlife Service at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, is recruiting one (1) Biological and Invasive Species Technician to participate in implementing the refuge's integrated pest ...

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How much do wildlife refuge jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for wildlife refuge in the United States is $23.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wildlife refuge?

A Wildlife Refuge job involves managing and protecting natural habitats to conserve wildlife and their ecosystems. Employees may work in roles such as park rangers, biologists, or environmental educators. Duties can include habitat restoration, research, law enforcement, and public outreach. These jobs are often with government agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or state conservation departments. They require a passion for conservation and may involve outdoor work in various weather conditions.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working at a wildlife refuge?

Daily responsibilities at a wildlife refuge often include monitoring wildlife populations, maintaining habitats, conducting field research, and performing facility upkeep such as trail maintenance or invasive species control. Staff may also engage with visitors, lead educational programs, and collaborate with local agencies or volunteers on conservation projects. Duties can vary by season and specific refuge needs, offering both variety and hands-on fieldwork. This role provides an opportunity to directly impact wildlife conservation while developing a wide range of field and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a wildlife refuge position?

To thrive in a wildlife refuge role, you need a strong background in biology, environmental science, or a related field, along with hands-on experience in wildlife management, conservation, or land stewardship. Familiarity with GPS mapping tools, data collection software, and certifications such as a pesticide applicator license or wildlife rehabilitator permit are often required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are essential for coordinating with colleagues, volunteers, and the public. These skills are critical for managing habitats, ensuring animal welfare, and maintaining effective operations within the refuge.

Is a career in wildlife refuge worth it?

A career in wildlife refuge involves protecting and managing natural habitats and species, often requiring fieldwork, conservation skills, and knowledge of environmental policies. It can be rewarding for those passionate about conservation, but may involve physically demanding work and variable hours. Job stability and pay can vary depending on location and experience.

What do I need to work at a wildlife refuge?

To work at a wildlife refuge, applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant experience in conservation or animal care, and sometimes specialized certifications such as first aid or wildlife management. Physical fitness, the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions, and good communication skills are also important.
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Wildlife Refuge jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wildlife Refuge job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 7% Internship, 75% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,268 per year, or $23.2 per hour.

Wildlife Refuge Manager

Internships | Texas A&M University Kingsville

Coleharbor, ND • On-site

$89K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager within the U.S. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District in Coleharbor, North Dakota. You will exercise leadership and direction for all staff under their supervision. Including planning, managing, and coordinating Refuge/Wetland Management District operations and programs. You will serve as technical expert in the operation, administration, and management of refuge lands.Qualifications:All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/03/2026-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.

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 nine (9) semester hours in zoology; six (6) semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and three (3) semester hours in botany, and three (3) semester hours in conservation biology. You must submit transcripts.
-OR-
B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, 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) managing or coordinating wildlife refuge or natural resource management programs, such as planning and implementing wildlife and habitat management activities; 2) evaluating or coordinating biological, habitat restoration, or conservation projects; 3) applying natural resource laws, regulations, and policies; 4) developing or implementing annual work plans, budgets, or project priorities; and 5) coordinating with Federal, State, Tribal, local or other partners on natural resource management activities. 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

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