Three Alumni Jumpstart Their Careers with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Its experts provide national leadership for resolving conflicts between people and wildlife. It protects U.S. agriculture, natural resources, property, and infrastructure, and human health and safety.
The organization works across the country to reduce damage and conflict between wildlife and people in cities and suburbs, in the mountains and on the plains, along our coastlines, and everywhere in between.
Wildlife Services offers dynamic careers in wildlife conflict management, and AGNR alumni bring essential talent, knowledge, and field experience to support and strengthen these programs. By engaging AGNR alumni, they help build a skilled and diverse workforce that advances APHIS’ mission and ensures continued success in protecting agriculture, natural resources, and wildlife.
Working as a Biological Science Technician (Wildlife Specialist) with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services has been an excellent opportunity for Thomas Rhoades ‘24, to expand his knowledge and develop a wide range of practical skills. While work-ing at Martin State Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport he deploys cameras, places bait, conducts surveys, deters wildlife, and uses various trapping techniques on the airfields to reduce hazardous wild-life activity. Even after four months, he still finds himself learning new techniques every few days. He also collaborates closely with airport operations staff and air carriers, giving him valuable insight into an entirely new industry.
Hanna Weikert ‘24, is a Biological Science Technician (Wildlife Specialist) with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Her work focuses on protecting wildlife and human health and safety by reducing wildlife hazards on and around the airfield. She monitors wildlife activity, responds to hazards, employs various deterrent techniques, and traps, bands, and relocates hawks and falcons. Her time in AGNR was essential to developing the skills she uses today, especially through her work with The Applied Spatial Wildlife Ecology Lab (A-SWEL) under Dr. Jennifer Mullinax and her senior capstone project with Dr. Annette Spivy and USDA Wildlife Services. These experiences laid the foundation for the career she now has.
Dominic Patsy ‘25, joined USDA APHIS Wildlife Services in November 2025. He first learned about the program at Maryland Day 2024 when he visited their booth and spoke with State Director Kevin Sullivan. Their conversation aligned strongly with his interests and coursework, which led him to seek Wildlife Services positions after graduation. Working in the state office has allowed him to participate in a wide variety of projects with diverse cooperators. One of his favorite projects so far has been deer management, which involves pre-scouting, setup, and overnight lethal removal. He feels that Wildlife Services has been a great team to work with, and the diversity of projects and responsibilities continues to support his professional growth in the field.