Career Resources

The promise and potential of the National Wildlife Refuge System are realized through its 3,000-plus dedicated employees. Refuge managers have identified several workforce challenges relating to staffing, training and career development, leadership development, succession planning, and retention. The National Wildlife Refuge System Strategic Workforce Planning Report (344 KB PDF) provides a big picture of the Refuge System workforce, including workforce challenges and development efforts, a summary of external and internal factors affecting workforce planning; data and analyses; workforce management tools; and recommended next steps.

The future of the Refuge System depends on well-rounded, competent leaders. This policy chapter provides guidance and tools for development of leadership skills and career planning. It also describes policy, procedures and responsibility for leadership development within the National Wildlife Refuge System and implements the recommendations on leadership contained in the System's long-term vision document, Fulfilling the Promise.

The purpose of these reports is to define career pathways within the National Wildlife Refuge System of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.


• Conservation Planning Career Pathways Report (1.1 MB PDF)



• Refuge Managers Career Pathways Report (1 MB PDF) (Standard position descriptions (SPDs) will become part of the report when they are finalized by the Service's Division of Human Capital.)



• Realty Career Pathways Report (408 KB PDF). This is a career development path guide for a Region 6 Realty Specialist, however, the information is useful for Realty Specialists across the Refuge System.



• Visitor Services Career Pathways Report (5 MB PDF)