Early Career Development of Forest Service Fisheries Managers: This project was jointly funded by the U.S. Forest Service and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, MacIntire Stennis Project 712 (Journal Paper 3152)

Abstract

It is often difficult for highly trained fisheries biologists to balance their professional images and values with those of the government agencies that hire them. This is especially true if fisheries biologists are recruited by agencies that are largely formed and maintained by a different professional subculture (e.g., Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, or Corps of Engineers). This paper examines how 30 U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fisheries biologists with 1–6 years permanent service (a 50% sample of all USFS fisheries biologists in that population) are adapting to careers in their profession and the USFS. Educational preparation for their first USFS permanent position, job satisfaction, professional and USFS commitment are examined. The data illustrate how fisheries biologists maintain allegiance to fisheries management values and beliefs, resolve professional-agency conflicts, and attempt to forge productive and satisfying careers. The majority are succeeding in this career development process. Some are frustrated and alienated from the USFS culture.