Park Naturalists

• Summary

• Details

Work Activities

• Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
• Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
• Train staff on park programs.
• Interview specialists in desired fields to obtain and develop data for park information programs.
• Take photographs and motion pictures for use in lectures and publications and to develop displays.
• Research stories regarding the area's natural history or environment.
• Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools.
• Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
• Train staff on park programs.
• Survey park to determine forest conditions and distribution and abundance of fauna and flora.
• Compile and maintain official park photographic and information files.
• Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
• Plan and organize public events at the park.
• Provide care for park program animals.
• Provide care for park program animals.

Skills

• Installation
  • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
• Active Listening
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
• Programming
  • Writing computer programs.
• Quality Control Analysis
  • Testing how well a product or service works.
• Management of Material Resources
  • Managing equipment and materials.
• Judgment and Decision Making
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
• Systems Evaluation
  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
• Critical Thinking
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
• Persuasion
  • Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
• Management of Financial Resources
  • Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
• Operation and Control
  • Using equipment or systems.
• Service Orientation
  • Looking for ways to help people.
• Systems Analysis
  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
• Time Management
  • Managing your time and the time of other people.
• Equipment Maintenance
  • Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
• Mathematics
  • Using math to solve problems.
• Science
  • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
• Active Learning
  • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
• Reading Comprehension
  • Reading work-related information.
• Coordination
  • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
• Technology Design
  • Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
• Writing
  • Writing things for co-workers or customers.
• Monitoring
  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
• Negotiation
  • Bringing people together to solve differences.
• Speaking
  • Talking to others.
• Learning Strategies
  • Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
• Social Perceptiveness
  • Understanding people's reactions.
• Equipment Selection
  • Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
• Troubleshooting
  • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
• Operations Analysis
  • Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
• Complex Problem Solving
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
• Operations Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
• Instructing
  • Teaching people how to do something.
• Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
• Management of Personnel Resources
  • Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.

Abilities

• Finger Dexterity
  • Putting together small parts with your fingers.
• Hearing Sensitivity
  • Telling the difference between sounds.
• Extent Flexibility
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Near Vision
  • Seeing details up close.
• Visualization
  • Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
• Fluency of Ideas
  • Coming up with lots of ideas.
• Category Flexibility
  • Grouping things in different ways.
• Perceptual Speed
  • Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Keeping your arm or hand steady.
• Control Precision
  • Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
• Glare Sensitivity
  • Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
• Written Comprehension
  • Reading and understanding what is written.
• Deductive Reasoning
  • Using rules to solve problems.
• Information Ordering
  • Ordering or arranging things.
• Problem Sensitivity
  • Noticing when problems happen.
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  • Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Dynamic Flexibility
  • Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Far Vision
  • Seeing details that are far away.
• Sound Localization
  • Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
• Stamina
  • Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
• Gross Body Equilibrium
  • Keeping your balance or staying upright.
• Explosive Strength
  • Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
• Depth Perception
  • Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
• Static Strength
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
• Speech Clarity
  • Speaking clearly.
• Reaction Time
  • Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
• Auditory Attention
  • Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
• Memorization
  • Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
• Spatial Orientation
  • Knowing where things are around you.
• Oral Expression
  • Communicating by speaking.
• Speed of Closure
  • Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
• Written Expression
  • Communicating by writing.
• Time Sharing
  • Doing two or more things at the same time.
• Response Orientation
  • Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
• Trunk Strength
  • Using your lower back and stomach.
• Speed of Limb Movement
  • Quickly moving your arms and legs.
• Visual Color Discrimination
  • Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
• Gross Body Coordination
  • Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
• Speech Recognition
  • Recognizing spoken words.
• Rate Control
  • Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
• Peripheral Vision
  • Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
• Manual Dexterity
  • Holding or moving items with your hands.
• Multilimb Coordination
  • Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
• Dynamic Strength
  • Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
• Night Vision
  • Seeing at night or under low light.
• Oral Comprehension
  • Listening and understanding what people say.
• Inductive Reasoning
  • Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
• Originality
  • Creating new and original ideas.
• Mathematical Reasoning
  • Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
• Flexibility of Closure
  • Seeing hidden patterns.
• Selective Attention
  • Paying attention to something without being distracted.
• Number Facility
  • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.

Knowledge

• Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Chemistry
  • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
• History and Archeology
  • Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
• Administrative
  • Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
• Economics and Accounting
  • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Communications and Media
  • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Transportation
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Sociology and Anthropology
  • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
• Geography
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
• Medicine and Dentistry
  • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Foreign Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
• Administration and Management
  • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Fine Arts
  • Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• Therapy and Counseling
  • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Philosophy and Theology
  • Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
• Sales and Marketing
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
• Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Personnel and Human Resources
  • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Production and Processing
  • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Food Production
  • Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
• Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Physics
  • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
• Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Education

Education

Bachelor's degree

Work Experience

No work experience

Training

No on-the-job training

Education and Training Opportunities

×

Education and Training Opportunities

• Bastyr University
  14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore WA 98028-4966
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  Under 1,000

  Financial Aid 425-602-3000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.bastyr.edu/
  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  Certificates of less than 12 weeks
  Award Level
  Certificates of less than 12 weeks
  Save

  ---

• Cascadia College
  18345 Campus Way NE, Bothell WA 98011-8205
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 425-352-8000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.cascadia.edu/
  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  ---

• Grays Harbor College
  1620 Edward P Smith Drive, Aberdeen WA 98520-7599
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 360-532-9020
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.ghc.edu/
  Program Name
  Forestry, General
  Length
  At least one but less than two years
  Award Level
  Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, Associate's degree
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  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  ---

• Green River College
  12401 SE 320th St, Auburn WA 98092-3622
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 253-833-9111
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.greenriver.edu/
  Program Name
  Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
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  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  ---

• Heritage University
  3240 Fort Rd, Toppenish WA 98948
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  Under 1,000

  Financial Aid 888-272-6190
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.heritage.edu/
  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  At least one but less than two years
  Award Level
  Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree
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  ---

• Peninsula College
  1502 E Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles WA 98362
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 360-452-9277
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://pencol.edu/
  Program Name
  Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
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  ---

• Seattle Pacific University
  3307 3rd Ave W, Seattle WA 98119-1997
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 206-281-2000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://spu.edu/
  Program Name
  Ecology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  ---

• Seattle University
  900 Broadway, Seattle WA 98122-4340
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 206-296-6000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.seattleu.edu/
  Program Name
  Conservation Biology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  ---

• Skagit Valley College
  2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon WA 98273
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 360-416-7600
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.skagit.edu/
  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree, Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, Associate's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year, Associate's degree, Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years
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  Program Name
  Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year, Associate's degree, Certificates of less than 12 weeks
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  ---

• Spokane Community College
  1810 North Greene Street, Spokane WA 99217-5399
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 509-533-8400
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://scc.spokane.edu/
  Program Name
  Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree, Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
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  Program Name
  Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
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  ---

• University of Washington-Seattle Campus
  1400 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle WA 98195-4550
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  20,000 and above

  Financial Aid 206-543-2100
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://www.washington.edu/
  Program Name
  Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Master's degree, Bachelor's degree
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  Program Name
  Environmental Biology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  Program Name
  Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree
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  Program Name
  Geography and Environmental Studies
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree, Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Master's degree
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  Program Name
  Forest Sciences and Biology
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree
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  Program Name
  Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree
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  Program Name
  Sustainability Studies
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree, Bachelor's degree
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  Program Name
  Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree, Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Master's degree
  Save

  ---

• Walla Walla Community College
  500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla WA 99362-9267
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 509-522-2500
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.wwcc.edu/
  Program Name
  Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree, Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years
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  ---

• Washington State University
  French Administration Building, Pullman WA 99164-5910
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  20,000 and above

  Financial Aid 509-335-3564
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://wsu.edu/
  Program Name
  Range Science and Management
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
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  Program Name
  Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  Length
  Less than one year
  Award Level
  Postbaccalaureate certificate, Bachelor's degree
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  Program Name
  Sustainability Studies
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Forestry, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree
  Save

  ---

• Wenatchee Valley College
  1300 Fifth St, Wenatchee WA 98801-1799
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 509-682-6800
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.wvc.edu/
  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Western Washington University
  516 High Street, Bellingham WA 98225-9008
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  10,000 - 19,999

  Financial Aid 360-650-3000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://wwu.edu/
  Program Name
  Sustainability Studies
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree, Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Ecology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Geography and Environmental Studies
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

• Whitman College
  345 Boyer Ave, Walla Walla WA 99362
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 509-527-5111
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  http://www.whitman.edu/
  Program Name
  Environmental Biology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

Close

Pay

Washington Annual Salary

81220/yr

Washington Hourly Wage

39.05/hr

Washington Employment Trends

Currently Employed

1,100

Yearly Projected Openings

110

Personality

Social: People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking. They do well at jobs that need:

• Integrity
• Cooperation
• Self Control
• Concern for Others
• Dependability
• Social Orientation

Tools

• Adjustable widemouth pliers
• Agricultural tractors
• All terrain vehicles tracked or wheeled
• Animal control traps
• Backpack water pump
• Binoculars
• Boat Trailer
• Bridles
• Canoes or kayaks
• Cash registers
• Chain saw
• Claw hammer
• Digital camcorders or video cameras
• Digital cameras
• Dump trucks
• Fire fighting pump truck
• Fire suppression hand tools
• Fishing rods
• Global positioning system GPS receiver
• Handguns
• Hedge trimmer
• Laser printers
• Lawnmowers
• Light trucks or sport utility vehicles
• Lighters
• Livestock trailers
• Minivans or vans
• Mobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles
• Mobile medical services first aid kits
• Mountain bicycles
• Personal computers
• Point of sale POS terminal
• Power blowers
• Power chippers
• Rakes
• Recreational motorboats
• Reins
• Saddles
• Screwdrivers
• Secateurs or pruning shears
• Shovels
• Skis
• Soil probe
• Special purpose telephones
• Sprayers
• Theodolites
• Two way radios
• Utility knives
• Water analyzers
• Water trucks

Technology

• Desktop publishing software
• Document management software
• Electronic mail software
• Internet browser software
• Map creation software
• Office suite software
• Point of sale POS software
• Presentation software
• Spreadsheet software
• Web page creation and editing software
• Web platform development software
• Word processing software