What You'll Do

  • Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
  • Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
  • Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
  • Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
  • Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
  • Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
  • Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
  • Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
  • Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
  • Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Speaking 3.62/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.62/5
Writing 3.5/5
Science 3.5/5
Critical Thinking 3.5/5
Active Learning 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Time Management 3.25/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Integrity, Dependability, Attention to Detail, Cooperation, Initiative

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.12/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.75/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.75/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5
Written Expression 3.62/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Maya Clover Technology GALENA CroPMan CropSyst Suite Datasurge GEOPRO Delft GeoSystems MStab Email software ESRI ArcGIS software ESRI ArcInfo ESRI ArcView GEO-SLOPE SEEP/W Geographic information system GIS software Geographic information system GIS systems GFA2D Global positioning system GPS software HYDRUS-2D Interstudio Geo-Tec B Landscape Management System LMS

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.39/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.3/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.13/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.13/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.09/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Agricultural Consultant Agriculture Consultant Aquatic Ecologist Aquatic Habitat Restoration Technician Botany Technician Conservation Agent Conservation Associate Conservation Engineer Conservation Policy Analyst Conservation Science Officer Conservation Specialist Conservationist Department of Natural Resources Officer (DNR Officer) District Conservationist Ecologist Technician Environmental Analyst Environmental Consultant Environmental Planner Environmental Quality Scientist Environmental Specialist Erosion and Sediment Control Professional Erosion Control Coordinator Erosion Control Design and Installation Contractor Erosion Control Specialist Farm Planner Field Agronomist Grassland Conservationist Interdisciplinary Environmental Engineer Land Reclamation Specialist Land Resource Specialist Land Use Planner Natural Resources Scientist Natural Resources Specialist Physical Scientist Range Conservationist Range Ecologist Range Scientist Reclamation Specialist Research Soil Scientist Resource Conservation Specialist Resource Conservationist Resource Physical Scientist Resource Physical Specialist Resource Scientist Resources Conservation Commissioner Restoration Ecologist Soil Conservation Technician Soil Conservationist Soil Surveyor Terrestrial Ecologist Terrestrial Habitat Restoration Technician Water Conservation Specialist Water Conservationist Wetland Scientist Wetland Specialist Wetlands Technician