Ecologists

Employers

There are approximately 84,600 environmental scientists and specialists (including ecologists) employed in the United States. By far the majority of land and water conservation jobs (about 75 percent) are in the public sector. This includes the federal government, the largest employer. The Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey are among the federal agencies that manage U.S. conservation. Other public sector opportunities are with states, regions, and towns. Opportunities in the private sector can be found with utilities, timber companies, and consulting firms. An additional area of employment is in teaching.

Starting Out

Internships provide an excellent point of entry into this field. You can volunteer with such groups as the Student Conservation Association (SCA), which places people in resource management projects. Programs include two- to five-week summer service opportunities for high school students. If you have already graduated from high school (and are over age 19), you can check with SCA for internships in forest, wildlife, resource, and other agencies. Visit https://thesca.org/youth-programs for more information.

Another option is to contact a federal or local government agency directly about an internship. Many, including the Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management, have internship programs. Programs are more informal at the local level. Visit https://www.usajobs.gov to learn more about opportunities with the federal government.

As for the private sector, an internship with a nonprofit organization may be possible. Such groups include the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Entry-level ecologists also may take advantage of temporary or seasonal jobs to gain experience and establish crucial contacts in the field.