biologist/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — biologist

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 19-1029.04 (Biologists).

Task statements

• [Core] Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• [Core] Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• [Core] Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
• [Core] Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.
• [Core] Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
• [Core] Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
• [Core] Teach or supervise students and perform research at universities and colleges.
• [Core] Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
• [Core] Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
• [Core] Review reports and proposals, such as those relating to land use classifications and recreational development, for accuracy, adequacy, or adherence to policies, regulations, or scientific standards.
• [Core] Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
• [Core] Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
• [Core] Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
• [Supplemental] Study aquatic plants and animals and environmental conditions affecting them, such as radioactivity or pollution.
• [Supplemental] Plan and administer biological research programs for government, research firms, medical industries, or manufacturing firms.
• [Supplemental] Research environmental effects of present and potential uses of land and water areas, determining methods of improving environmental conditions or such outputs as crop yields.
• [Supplemental] Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
• [Supplemental] Study and manage wild animal populations.
• [Supplemental] Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
• [Supplemental] Develop methods and apparatus for securing representative plant, animal, aquatic, or soil samples.
• [Supplemental] Study reactions of plants, animals, and marine species to parasites.
• [Supplemental] Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.

Detailed work activities

• Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
• Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
• Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
• Collect environmental data or samples.
• Communicate results of environmental research.
• Communicate with government agencies.
• Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
• Develop biological research methods.
• Develop collaborative relationships between departments or with external organizations.
• Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
• Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.
• Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.
• Identify environmental concerns.
• Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
• Operate computers or computerized equipment.
• Plan biological research.
• Prepare proposal documents or grant applications.
• Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
• Provide technical information or assistance to public.
• Research diseases or parasites.
• Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
• Research topics in area of expertise.
• Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.
• Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
• Write computer programming code.
• Write grant proposals.