19-1031.01 - Soil and Water Conservationists

Updated 2011

Summary Report for:
19-1031.01 - Soil and Water Conservationists

Plan or develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil or water conservation, or sound land use.

Sample of reported job titles: Soil Conservationist, Conservationist, Land Reclamation Specialist, Land Resource Specialist, Environmental Analyst, Resource Conservation Specialist, Resource Conservationist, Erosion Control Specialist, Land Manager, Watershed Program Manager

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Calculate or compare efficiencies associated with changing from low-precision irrigation technologies, such as furrow irrigation, to high-precision technologies, such as computer-controlled systems.
Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
Initiate, schedule, or conduct annual audits or compliance checks of program implementation by local government.
Enter local soil, water, or other environmental data into adaptive or web-based decision tools to identify appropriate analyses or techniques.
Evaluate or recommend geographic information systems (GIS) applications to address issues such as surface water quality, groundwater quality, ecological risk assessments, air quality, or environmental contamination.
Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information technical guides or engineering manuals.
Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation.
Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification.
Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Digital cameras

Laser measuring systems — Laser distance measurement systems

Levels — Dumpy levels

Notebook computers — Laptop computers

Theodolites — Total stations

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — Clover Technology GALENA; CropSyst Suite *; Water Soil and Hydro-Environmental Decision Support System WATERSHEDSS *; WinEPIC *

Data base user interface and query software — CroPMan *; Microsoft Access; State Soil Geographic STATSGO Database *; Water resources databases

Electronic mail software — Email software

Map creation software — ESRI ArcGIS software; ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView

Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel

* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service — 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.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Engineering and Technology — 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.

Geography — 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.

Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

Active Listening — 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.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Information Ordering — 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).

Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Work Activities

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — 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.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Work Context

Electronic Mail — How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Deal With External Customers — How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Letters and Memos — How often does the job require written letters and memos?

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?

Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education	Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience	A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples	Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
SVP Range	(7.0 to < 8.0)

There is 1 recognized apprenticeable specialty associated with this occupation:
Soil-Conservation Technician

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website.

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
67	Bachelor's degree
14	Associate's degree
10	Some college, no degree

This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:

Life Sciences — Forest Sciences and Biology; Forestry; Natural Resources and Conservation, Other; Natural Resources Management and Policy; Natural Resources/Conservation, General; Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Interests

Interest code: IRE

Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Styles

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Work Values

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Related Occupations

17-1012.00	Landscape Architects Green
19-1013.00	Soil and Plant Scientists
19-1020.01	Biologists
19-1031.02	Range Managers
19-1032.00	Foresters
19-2041.00	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
33-3031.00	Fish and Game Wardens

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Conservation Scientists.
Employment data collected from Conservation Scientists.
Industry data collected from Conservation Scientists.

Median wages (2011)	$28.62 hourly, $59,530 annual
Employment (2010)	23,000 employees
Projected growth (2010-2020)	Slower than average (3% to 9%)
Projected job openings (2010-2020)	4,000
Top industries (2010)	Government

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 wage data and 2010-2020 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Conservation Scientists and Foresters . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) , 5585 Guildford Rd., Madison, WI 53711. Phone: (608) 273-8080. Fax: (608) 273-2021.

Summary Report for: 19-1031.01 - Soil and Water Conservationists