Agricultural Careers

1. Agricultural Careers Ecologist By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Ms. Anna Burgess Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. Conduct field research which involves following rigorous scientific procedures to collect water, soil, plant or animal samples, and count and identify organisms • Study animals over long periods of time, noting characteristics such as population numbers, life history patterns, behavior, diet and habitat use • Advise governments and environmental councils on environmental management • Study and dissect plant and animal specimens in greenhouses and laboratories • Some projects require hours of observation and/or weeks of travel. Others require the use of specialized equipment and techniques. • Work to protect native wildlife, plants and ecosystems • Analyze field and laboratory data Job Duties & Responsibilities

3. Ecologists must have a passion for the environment and be inquisitive and curious. In data collection, ecologists must be meticulous, detailed, and exact. They must work well under pressure. Organization is very importing in ecology and in any type of data collection profession. Excellent communication skills, both in person and in writing, are essential in sharing research and in securing funding for furthering research. Ecologists should have the ability to work either independently and as a part of a team. Certain types of ecological fieldwork require considerable physical stamina and have a love of the outdoors and wildlife. Qualities and Skills

4. Salary According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in 2003 averaged $29,456 a year for bachelor’s degree recipients in biological and life sciences; $33,600 for master’s degree recipients; and $42,244 for doctoral degree recipients. In general, government positions for people with PhD’s paid the best, with averages over $75,000 annually, depending mostly on years of experience.

5. Outdoors, collecting data and samples (may be rugged and/or remote locations) • Laboratory, analyzing data and samples • Office, writing reports and papers on their research • Classroom, teaching others about the field of ecology • May be exposed to hazardous chemicals or travel in dangerous areas. Work Environment & Physical Requirements Must be able to withstand environmental stress such as heat or cold, insects, and rain while working in the field during the data and sample collection process. Dexterity and good eyesight, with or without correction is important for processing data and analyzing specimen samples in the laboratory. Must be in relatively good physical condition.

6. Education Ecologists must have at least one undergraduate degree with a solid grounding in biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, mathematics, calculus, statistics and computer science. Depending on their area of specialization, ecologists may also have an academic background in such diverse subjects as climatology, economics, geology, mathematical modeling, meteorology, oceanography, sociology or soil science. Most research jobs in ecology require a graduate degree, usually a PhD.

7. Career Resources Ecological Society of America Internet: http://www.esa.org/ National Wildlife Federation (ESA)Internet: http://www.nwf.org American Institutes of Biological Sciences Internet: http://www.aibs.org The National Science Foundation Internet: http://www.nsf.gov United States Environmental Protection Agency Internet: http://www.epa.gov The Environmental Careers Organization Internet: http://www.eco.org