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.
At a Glance
Conservation Scientists earns a median of $67,950/yr with +3.4% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Autodesk AutoCAD, Analyzing Data or Information, Microsoft Excel.
$67,950/yr
+3.4%
3
Bachelor's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (12)
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Knowledge (10)
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Abilities (17)
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Technology (11)
Work Activities (28)
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Work Styles (2)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Life, Physical, and Social Science · 199 shared skills
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Computer and Mathematical · 199 shared skills
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science · 199 shared skills
Urban and Regional Planners
Life, Physical, and Social Science · 198 shared skills
Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Architecture and Engineering · 198 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Architecture and Engineering · 198 shared skills
Hydrologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science · 197 shared skills
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science · 197 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
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