Wildlife Management

Term from Airport Operations industry explained for recruiters

Wildlife Management in airport operations is a safety-focused practice that helps keep aircraft and wildlife apart. It involves methods to prevent birds and other animals from interfering with planes during takeoff and landing. This is crucial because wildlife collisions with aircraft (often called "bird strikes") can be dangerous and costly. People who work in this field use various tools and techniques to keep the airport area clear of wildlife, similar to how park rangers manage animal populations, but with a specific focus on airport safety. You might also see this described as "wildlife hazard management" or "bird and wildlife control."

Examples in Resumes

Implemented Wildlife Management programs reducing bird strikes by 40% at regional airport

Coordinated Wildlife Hazard Management assessments and response protocols

Led Wildlife Control team in developing new deterrent strategies at international airport

Typical job title: "Wildlife Management Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Airport Wildlife Coordinator Wildlife Hazard Management Specialist Bird Control Specialist Airport Wildlife Officer Wildlife Risk Manager Aviation Wildlife Biologist Airport Environmental Specialist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a comprehensive wildlife management program for a large international airport?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should cover creating risk assessments, coordinating with various airport departments, developing emergency response procedures, and managing a team while staying within budget and regulatory requirements.

Q: How do you handle conflicting priorities between wildlife conservation laws and airport safety requirements?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of both environmental regulations and aviation safety requirements, showing ability to create solutions that maintain safety while respecting wildlife protection laws.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What methods do you use to identify and track wildlife hazards at an airport?

Expected Answer: Should mention wildlife surveys, incident reporting systems, habitat monitoring, and use of data to identify patterns in wildlife activity.

Q: Describe your experience with wildlife deterrent equipment and techniques.

Expected Answer: Should be familiar with various deterrent methods like sonic devices, visual deterrents, and habitat modification, plus when and how to use each effectively.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the main wildlife hazards at airports?

Expected Answer: Should identify common wildlife threats like birds, deer, and coyotes, and explain basic risks they pose to aircraft operations.

Q: How do you document wildlife sightings and incidents?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic reporting procedures, including recording species, location, time, and any actions taken in response to wildlife presence.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic wildlife identification
  • Use of common deterrent equipment
  • Incident reporting
  • Safety protocols understanding

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Wildlife behavior assessment
  • Multiple deterrent method expertise
  • Team coordination
  • Risk assessment capabilities

Senior (5+ years)

  • Program development and management
  • Regulatory compliance expertise
  • Budget management
  • Staff training and supervision

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of aviation safety regulations
  • Lack of practical wildlife control experience
  • Unable to identify common wildlife species
  • No understanding of environmental laws
  • Poor documentation practices