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Conservation Scientists
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Other titles employers use
Conservationist · Environmental Analyst · Environmental Quality Scientist · Erosion Control Specialist · Land Reclamation Specialist · Land Resource Specialist · Research Soil Scientist · Resource Conservation Specialist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
- Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
- Science
Subjects to know
- English Language
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Geography
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.6 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 70%
- A master's degree 22%
- A certificate or some college 4%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Geographic information system
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Document management software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Web platform development software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,070
- Job openings each year
- 270
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 19.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3,070 | 270 | 19.5% |
| Texas | 2,120 | 180 | 7.6% |
| California | 2,000 | 170 | 11.1% |
| Mississippi | 1,260 | 100 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 1,250 | 100 | 8.7% |
| Wisconsin | 1,110 | 90 | 7.8% |
| Washington | 1,100 | 110 | 12.2% |
| Minnesota | 960 | 80 | 4.3% |
| Iowa | 950 | 80 | 9.2% |
| Illinois | 790 | 60 | 3.9% |
| Florida | 780 | 70 | 9.9% |
| Louisiana | 720 | 60 | 1.4% |
| Michigan | 710 | 60 | 2.9% |
| Oregon | 710 | 60 | 10.9% |
| Montana | 630 | 60 | 16.7% |
| Virginia | 610 | 50 | 8.9% |
| New York | 540 | 10 | 20.0% |
| New Jersey | 520 | 50 | 13.0% |
| Maryland | 510 | 40 | 10.9% |
| Georgia | 480 | 40 | 9.1% |
| South Dakota | 470 | 40 | 6.8% |
| Ohio | 450 | 40 | — |
| Arizona | 430 | 40 | 7.5% |
| Missouri | 420 | 30 | 5.0% |
| Oklahoma | 410 | 30 | 5.1% |
| South Carolina | 400 | 30 | 17.6% |
| North Carolina | 390 | 30 | 11.4% |
| Massachusetts | 360 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Indiana | 330 | 30 | 3.1% |
| Idaho | 320 | 30 | 6.7% |
| Nebraska | 320 | 30 | 3.2% |
| North Dakota | 310 | 30 | — |
| New Mexico | 300 | 30 | 7.1% |
| Kansas | 290 | 20 | 7.4% |
| Tennessee | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Alaska | 220 | 20 | — |
| Kentucky | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| Utah | 210 | 20 | 10.5% |
| West Virginia | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Wyoming | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Arkansas | 160 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Maine | 130 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Connecticut | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Delaware | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| District of Columbia | 70 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 60 | 10 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 50 | 0 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of Colorado Boulder
- Degrees each year
- 459
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
University of California-Santa Cruz
- Degrees each year
- 346
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 422
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Iowa State University
- Degrees each year
- 362
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Degrees each year
- 257
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 421
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 368
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Oregon State University
- Degrees each year
- 418
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
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