Continuing educational needs of state agency fish and wildlife biologists

Fishery and wildlife biologists employed by state fish and wildlife agencies were surveyed to determine their continuing education needs related to specific job tasks. In addition, proficiency levels required for job tasks were rated. An organizational analysis was also conducted to ascertain agency climate for support of continuing education programs.

Forty-seven state fish and wildlife agencies responded to the organizational analysis. Agencies valued their employees and understand the benefits of continuing education, but did not allocate many resources to support programs. A positive climate does not presently exist for the development and implementation of continuing education programs. Continuing education was not an important part of state fish and game agencies’ organizational culture.

Differences in continuing education needs of fishery and wildlife biologist have little correlation to undergraduate/graduate curricula, highest degrees attained, or length in the profession. Biologists’ greatest needs for continuing education related to technical tasks in research/data collection and analysis, and specifically computer and software usage. Other continuing education needs were related to population and habitat tasks. Biologists identified low proficiency levels needed for modeling and genetic tasks, but indicated a high need for continuing education.

Continuing education needs for non-technical tasks related to communication, interpersonal relations, management and leadership skills were rated significantly higher by agency administration than fishery and wildlife biologists. Additional data were provided on proficiency levels identified for job tasks. Recommendations are made to state fish and wildlife agencies, providers of continuing education programming, and university faculty.