Dave Buzan Coastal Conservation Branch Chief and Pollution Biologist on the Department's Kills and Spills Team Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Salary Range: $60,000-$69,999 Facilitate the work of about 20 scientists who calculate freshwater inflow needs of healthy estuaries and respond to fish kills and pollution incidents (particularly chemical spills); work on a wide variety of issues associated with protecting and restoring habitat in coastal ecosystems.

Years in the Profession: 22

Education/Experience: 

BS Wildlife and Fisheries Science with emphasis in Fisheries Science
MS in Biology with emphasis in Aquatic Biology

12+ years working on surface water quality monitoring and special water quality surveys involving intensive sampling of physical, chemical, & biological variables

2+ years establishing and managing a statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program 

5+ years working response to fish kills and chemical spills and managing response biologists and program

2+ years managing Coastal Conservation branch and participating as a response biologist on the kills and spills team

Be flexible in pursuing a career in fisheries science. There are more, different opportunities than we can imagine. Use the Internet to job search.