Greg Sanders
Wildlife Biologist
Greg Sanders received his bachelor of arts degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. He worked as a diving instructor, lab technician, and environmental consultant before accepting his first position with the federal government as a seasonal park ranger with the Channel Islands National Park in 1987. From the National Park Service, Greg transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to work on the southern sea otter translocation program. In 2006, Greg transferred to the Minerals Management Service, the predecessor to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management where he currently works as the Pacific Region’s marine mammal and sea turtle specialist.
Wildlife Biologist
Greg Sanders received his bachelor of arts degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. He worked as a diving instructor, lab technician, and environmental consultant before accepting his first position with the federal government as a seasonal park ranger with the Channel Islands National Park in 1987. From the National Park Service, Greg transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to work on the southern sea otter translocation program. In 2006, Greg transferred to the Minerals Management Service, the predecessor to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management where he currently works as the Pacific Region’s marine mammal and sea turtle specialist.
Greg Sanders has a great talent for taking pictures of wildlife. See some of his amazing work right here! Don't forget to check out his videos for some amazing footage!
Q & A with Greg:
What made you choose to work for the Federal Government?
I started with an unpaid internship as a park ranger with Channel Islands National Park and quickly discovered the diversity of jobs available with the Federal Government. Although it can be difficult to land that first job, once you are on a career path there are an amazing number of opportunities for which you may qualify. Some are quite unique – where else could someone get a job capturing and tagging sea otters or conduct an environmental review for the first floating wind turbine off the Pacific coast?
What do you enjoy about your work?
There is always something to do and challenges to overcome. My experience has been quite diverse and there has seldom been a dull moment. Of course every job is what you make of it and jobs with the Federal Government are no different. At least for me, I have not exhausted the possibilities of finding interesting and fulfilling work projects.
Where do you do most of your work?
I started as a field biologist. As the title implies, I spent a lot of time in the field operating boats, diving, participating in wildlife research projects, and even conducting law enforcement patrols along beaches and offshore areas. As I advanced in my career I have found myself behind a desk and travelling to meetings more often than not. It is harder to escape the office but I still get out to the field from time to time to admire what fieldwork others are now accomplishing.
What part of your job did you not expect to be doing?
Let’s face it, working for the Federal Government can be very bureaucratic. It is hard to really appreciate the extra responsibilities you have as a federal employee until you have a federal job. I went to school wanting to work with and manage wildlife. As it turns out, the wildlife can manage itself quite nicely. It is educating and managing people and their expectations that fill most of my workdays.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Whether a project is simple or complex it often takes more time than you may expect. As a federal employee you have many masters within the organization and the public you serve. Organizational shifts and intermittent budget fluctuations contribute to delays and shift priorities. It is often hard to maintain individual creativity and proactive approaches to challenges we encounter.
What made you choose to work for the Federal Government?
I started with an unpaid internship as a park ranger with Channel Islands National Park and quickly discovered the diversity of jobs available with the Federal Government. Although it can be difficult to land that first job, once you are on a career path there are an amazing number of opportunities for which you may qualify. Some are quite unique – where else could someone get a job capturing and tagging sea otters or conduct an environmental review for the first floating wind turbine off the Pacific coast?
What do you enjoy about your work?
There is always something to do and challenges to overcome. My experience has been quite diverse and there has seldom been a dull moment. Of course every job is what you make of it and jobs with the Federal Government are no different. At least for me, I have not exhausted the possibilities of finding interesting and fulfilling work projects.
Where do you do most of your work?
I started as a field biologist. As the title implies, I spent a lot of time in the field operating boats, diving, participating in wildlife research projects, and even conducting law enforcement patrols along beaches and offshore areas. As I advanced in my career I have found myself behind a desk and travelling to meetings more often than not. It is harder to escape the office but I still get out to the field from time to time to admire what fieldwork others are now accomplishing.
What part of your job did you not expect to be doing?
Let’s face it, working for the Federal Government can be very bureaucratic. It is hard to really appreciate the extra responsibilities you have as a federal employee until you have a federal job. I went to school wanting to work with and manage wildlife. As it turns out, the wildlife can manage itself quite nicely. It is educating and managing people and their expectations that fill most of my workdays.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Whether a project is simple or complex it often takes more time than you may expect. As a federal employee you have many masters within the organization and the public you serve. Organizational shifts and intermittent budget fluctuations contribute to delays and shift priorities. It is often hard to maintain individual creativity and proactive approaches to challenges we encounter.
Have more questions? Contact BOEM Public Affairs for more information!