Lisa Moss

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Meet Lisa Moss! 

Lisa is a fish biologist with the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office in Charles City, Virginia. She has been with the Fish and Wildlife Service for over 21 years. 

What does conservation mean to you?  

For me conservation means appreciating the interconnectedness of all humans and nature. It requires we share commitment to the Service mission and allow everyone to contribute their unique talents in equitable and inclusive spaces.  

What led to your career choice?  

My grandparents inspired me and influenced my career choice. My grandmother was an avid birder and conservationist at heart.  I spent summers with her in Hemlock, New York as a little girl. She had many acres of land and had a garden in the forest we would tend together every day. I remember the sacred walk to get there, down a wide trail lined with tall pine trees. When I became older, we traveled together to her native country Germany, and the Bavarian Alps. We also went to the Canadian province of Alberta where I stayed in awe as we traversed through the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park. My grandfather was in the Army for many years and even after distinguished service he continued to serve this country. He loved to fish from the New Jersey shores and obtained a degree in Marine Biology at age 63! He passed before I started work with the Service, but I just know he would have volunteered to join me on the electrofishing boat.  

Do you have a memorable moment on the job?  

My memorable moments on the job always involve the youth. A preschooler gets excited because he is petting a sturgeon, or stopping a toddler's attempt to climb in the wading pool with the living dinosaur. And how a kid's face lights up as she holds and peers into a cup teeming with fish fry she will take to the river and release.  

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work? 

One of the most enjoyable and an important aspect of my work is the outreach conducted in local communities educating others about the FAC program and the Service in general. I'm always engaged in some form of outreach to build rapport and develop trust with others. Cultivating and nurturing partnerships are central to my work.  

Where did you go to school?  

University of Virginia - Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science  

University of Maryland - Master of Science in Marine-Estuarine Environmental Science  

To find available fish biologist jobs, go to USAJobs.gov. Search “0482” Filter by “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” or “Department of the Interior.” Position requires a degree with a major in biological sciences or a combination of education and experience. Details about education and experience requirements. Specific requirements are detailed in individual job listings.