Fish Hatchery Biologist: A Career for the Future with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Understanding the prospects for future careers within a fish and wildlife agency is important to both prospective employees and to current managers in order to plan for the future. This presentation will discuss the future career trajectory for fish hatchery biologists within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This will include the number of positions available within the agency and the number and type of openings that become available each year. Pertinent background on what experiences and education are currently helping candidates land jobs will be given. The requirements of various jobs along a career path will be presented including necessary competencies and what training is provided on the job for continued skill development. Finally, analysis of potential changes in the workplace and changes in required competencies in the future will be discussed. An objective of the presentation is to help prospective employees plan their education and develop expectations regarding what is needed to start a career with Texas Parks and Wildlife’s fish hatchery system (or other fish and wildlife agencies) and to pursue a career of advancing responsibility within the agency.