Occupation Summary

Conservation Scientists

O*NET 19-1031.00

Description:

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.

Annual Wages:
$66,939.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 7.40%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
STEM

  1. Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
  2. Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
  3. Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
  4. Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
  5. Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
  6. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
  7. Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
  8. Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
  9. Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
  10. Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes.
  11. Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.
  12. Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification.
  13. Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.
  14. Provide information, knowledge, expertise, or training to government agencies at all levels to solve water or soil management problems or to assure coordination of resource protection activities.
  15. Analyze results of investigations to determine measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management.
  16. Coordinate or implement technical, financial, or administrative assistance programs for local government units to ensure efficient program implementation or timely responses to requests for assistance.
  17. Identify or recommend integrated weed and pest management (IPM) strategies, such as resistant plants, cultural or behavioral controls, soil amendments, insects, natural enemies, barriers, or pesticides.
  18. Review proposed wetland restoration easements or provide technical recommendations.
  19. Develop, conduct, or participate in surveys, studies, or investigations of various land uses to inform corrective action plans.
  20. Manage field offices or involve staff in cooperative ventures.
  21. Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
  22. Initiate, schedule, or conduct annual audits or compliance checks of program implementation by local government.
  23. Develop water conservation or harvest plans, using weather information systems, irrigation information management systems, or other sources of daily evapotranspiration (ET) data.
  24. Review or approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans or conservation district plans.
  25. Develop or conduct environmental studies, such as plant material field trials or wildlife habitat impact studies.
  26. Enter local soil, water, or other environmental data into adaptive or Web-based decision tools to identify appropriate analyses or techniques.
  27. Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation.
  28. Review annual reports of counties, conservation districts, or watershed management organizations, certifying compliance with mandated reporting requirements.
  29. Review grant applications or make funding recommendations.
  30. Develop soil maps.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Conservation Scientists employed Annual Growth Rate
Social advocacy organizations 13.8 1.89
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 3.4 1.18


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $32.18
2024 National average hourly wage $35.73
2022 National employment 24,700
2022 Texas employment 1,973
Texas projected employment by 2032 2,119
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 176




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
85.20%
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
78.20%
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.
74.80%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
74.80%
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.
71.40%
Chemistry
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.
70.40%
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
69.60%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
67.80%
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.
66.00%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
65.20%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
77.60%
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.
77.60%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
72.40%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
72.40%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
70.00%
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
70.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
70.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
65.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
65.00%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
65.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
82.40%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
77.60%
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).
75.00%
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 that there is a problem.
75.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
75.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
72.40%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
70.00%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
70.00%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
67.60%


  • Analyzing Data or Information
    -- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • 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.
Other Activities


  • 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.
  • 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.



Tools

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital cameras: Digital cameras;

Global positioning system GPS receiver: Global positioning system GPS receivers;

Laser measuring systems: Laser distance measurement systems;

Levels: Dumpy levels;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Soil core sampling apparatus: Dutch augers;

Theodolites: Theodolites; Total stations;

Water samplers: Water samplers;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Clover Technology GALENA; CropSyst Suite; Datasurge GEOPRO; Delft GeoSystems MStab; GEO-SLOPE SEEP/W; GFA2D; HYDRUS-2D; Interstudio Geo-Tec B; Landscape Management System LMS; Mitre Software GSLOPE; Salix Applied Earthcare Erosion Draw; Studio of Analytical Models STANMOD; U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA WinSRM; USDA Forest Vegetation Simulator FVS; Water Soil and Hydro-Environmental Decision Support System WATERSHEDSS; WinEPIC;

Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD;

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

Document management software: Adobe Acrobat;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook; Email software;

Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software; ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS software; Geographic information system GIS systems;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Autodesk Maya;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Mobile location based services software: Global positioning system GPS software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Web platform development software: Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Conservation Scientists include:
  • 11-9199.11 Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
  • 17-2081.00 Environmental Engineers
  • 19-2041.02 Environmental Restoration Planners
  • 19-2041.00 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
  • 19-1032.00 Foresters
  • 19-2041.03 Industrial Ecologists
  • 19-1031.03 Park Naturalists
  • 19-1031.02 Range Managers
  • 19-1013.00 Soil and Plant Scientists
  • 11-9121.02 Water Resource Specialists


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about conservation scientists and foresters, including schools offering education in forestry, visit: Society of American Foresters (SAF)
  • For information about careers in forestry, particularly conservation forestry and land management, visit: Forest Stewards Guild
  • Society for Range Management (SRM)
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • CareerOneStop

  • For career videos on conservation scientists and foresters, visit: Conservation scientists
  • Foresters
  • Conservation Scientists
  • Foresters
  • Park Naturalists
  • Range Managers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.