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19-1023.00 · Learning planner

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: a task-based learning plan

Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

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Understand the profile before choosing priorities

The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 31 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.

SkillImportance / 5Level / 7Rating date
Reading Comprehension4.005.0008/2026 · Analyst
Writing4.004.2508/2026 · Analyst
Speaking4.004.1208/2026 · Analyst
Active Listening4.004.0008/2026 · Analyst
Science4.004.0008/2026 · Analyst
Complex Problem Solving4.004.0008/2026 · Analyst
Judgment and Decision Making4.004.0008/2026 · Analyst
Critical Thinking3.884.0008/2026 · Analyst
Active Learning3.883.8808/2026 · Analyst
Coordination3.753.1208/2026 · Analyst

Anchor the plan in an actual task

Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies

Level 6: Read a scientific journal article describing surgical procedures

Which instruction, constraint or exception in a document would you need to explain accurately?

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Write an email to staff outlining new directives

Level 6: Write a novel for publication

What document would another person need, and how would you check that they could act on it?

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history

Level 6: Argue a legal case before the Supreme Court

How would you explain the task, audience needs and next step in a short conversation?

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references

Level 2: Take a customer's order

What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Conduct product tests to ensure safety standards are met

Level 2: Conduct standard tests to determine soil quality

What observation or comparison would help you test an explanation, and what would remain uncertain?

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques

Level 2: Lay out tools to complete a job

How would you separate the problem into parts and compare possible explanations?

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk

Level 2: Decide how scheduling a break will affect work flow

Which options, constraints and consequences would you compare, and what could change the choice?

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses

Level 2: Determine whether a subordinate has a good excuse for being late

What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements

Level 2: Think about the implications of a news article for job opportunities

What new information would change your approach, and how would you record the change?

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for zoologists and wildlife biologists.

Level 4: Work with others to put a new roof on a house

Level 2: Schedule appointments for a medical clinic

Who would need what information, and at which handoff would timing matter?

Review the result

Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.

Keep your worksheet

Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.