What they do
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.
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Also called: |
Conservationist, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Quality Scientist, Erosion Control Specialist, Land Reclamation Specialist, Land Resource Specialist, Research Soil Scientist, Resource Conservation Specialist, Resource Conservationist, Soil Conservationist
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 22.61 |
$47,020 |
25% |
$ 27.46 |
$57,120 |
Median |
$ 30.32 |
$63,070 |
75% |
$ 34.75 |
$72,270 |
90% |
$ 42.97 |
$89,380 |
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Average |
$ 31.98 |
$66,510 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 29% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 21% |
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
| 21% |
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
| 13% |
| 7% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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- 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.
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- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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- 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.
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Skills
People in this career often have these 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.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
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- Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
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- Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
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- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
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- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
154 |
2030 employment |
175 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
1.3% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
17 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical 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. |
- Physical activity is Very Important
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- Level of activity is High
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Low | | High |
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Job Zone
Considerable Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(7.0 to < 8.0) - A typical worker will require
over 2 years up to and including 4 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 4% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 22% |
Bachelor's degree | | 70% |
Associate's degree | | 0% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 4% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 0% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- 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).
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
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- Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
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- Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
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- Advise others about land management or conservation.
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- Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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