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Conservation Scientists

SOC 19-1031.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers conservation science practice across agricultural, rangeland, forested, and wetland environments, from entry-level field data collection and supervised planning support through independent technical design and landscape-scale program leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Conservation principles from agronomy, soil science, and forestry — identify and apply under direct supervision to support field-based conservation objectives.
  2. Soil management practices such as crop rotation and contour plowing — recognize and document under guidance while assisting with conservation planning activities.
  3. Construction monitoring protocols — follow established checklists to verify that project elements conform to design specifications on supervised site visits.
  4. GIS databases and mapping applications — retrieve and organize spatial data under direction to support land use assessment tasks.
  5. Technical guides and engineering manuals — read and interpret to extract relevant parameters needed for conservation practice calculations.
  6. Soil and water management techniques such as erosion control and filter strips — assist in implementation activities according to approved conservation plans.
  7. Field data collection instruments and mobile survey tools — operate under supervision to gather soil, vegetation, and hydrological measurements.
  8. Conservation-related scientific literature and regulatory documents — read and summarize findings to support team planning and reporting efforts.
  9. Spreadsheet and database software — enter, organize, and query field and laboratory data to maintain accurate conservation project records.
  10. Work team meetings focused on habitat or wetland improvement programs — participate by contributing field observations and supporting assigned research tasks.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Specialized scientific principles from soil science, agronomy, and forestry — apply routinely to formulate conservation recommendations for assigned land units with limited oversight.
  2. Soil and water conservation plans including reforestation, terracing, and permanent vegetation — develop and document for standard land use scenarios with reduced supervisory review.
  3. Post-construction project monitoring — conduct scheduled site inspections and prepare compliance reports confirming adherence to design specifications.
  4. Land users such as farmers and ranchers — advise on conservation plan options and common problems using clear technical communication and established agency guidelines.
  5. Nutrient management, buffer strips, and erosion control measures — implement and adjust in the field in accordance with approved conservation plans and site conditions.
  6. Design specification computations — calculate using survey data, field measurements, and technical engineering manuals for typical conservation practice installations.
  7. GIS applications and spatial databases — analyze geographic data independently to generate land use maps and preliminary conservation recommendations.
  8. Analytical and scientific software — process soil, water quality, and vegetation data to evaluate conservation outcomes and prepare summary findings.
  9. Environmental habitat and groundwater improvement programs — contribute substantively to interdisciplinary work team planning sessions and draft sections of program proposals.
  10. Written technical reports and agency correspondence — compose and revise clearly to convey conservation findings and practice recommendations to supervisors and stakeholders.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Multi-disciplinary scientific principles spanning agronomy, soil science, hydrology, and forestry — integrate autonomously to design comprehensive conservation strategies across complex, non-routine land management scenarios.
  2. Full-scope soil management and water conservation plans — develop independently for diverse agricultural, rangeland, and forested landscapes, resolving competing land use priorities.
  3. Construction and post-installation monitoring programs — design, lead, and evaluate to ensure ongoing project conformance and adaptive management of conservation practices.
  4. Farmers, ranchers, and agency stakeholders — advise on complex conservation challenges, alternative solutions, and regulatory requirements through persuasive, technically credible consultation.
  5. Integrated soil and water management systems including erosion control, nutrient management, and hydrological buffers — implement and troubleshoot across varied site conditions with full professional autonomy.
  6. Conservation practice design specifications — compute and validate using advanced engineering manuals, survey data, and CAD software for non-standard or high-complexity installations.
  7. GIS spatial analysis and remote sensing datasets — synthesize with field observations to produce actionable, evidence-based land use recommendations for watershed- or landscape-scale planning.
  8. Interdisciplinary teams addressing wetland restoration, habitat improvement, and groundwater resource management — lead technical contributions and coordinate work planning to deliver program objectives.
  9. Systems-level evaluation of conservation program outcomes — conduct using analytical software, field monitoring data, and statistical methods to assess effectiveness and recommend adjustments.
  10. Scientific and regulatory writing — produce authoritative reports, environmental assessments, and technical specifications that communicate complex findings clearly to diverse professional and public audiences.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Regional or statewide conservation science strategy — set direction by integrating emerging research across agronomy, soil science, hydrology, and ecology into agency-wide program goals and priorities.
  2. Conservation planning frameworks and land management policies — develop and champion at organizational or interagency scale, shaping standards that govern practice across multiple districts or jurisdictions.
  3. Quality assurance and adaptive management systems for construction monitoring — establish organization-wide protocols that ensure consistent project conformance and evidence-based program improvement.
  4. Senior land managers, agency executives, and elected officials — advise on high-stakes conservation policy decisions, translating complex scientific findings into strategic guidance with broad resource impact.
  5. Large-scale soil and water management initiatives — lead design, implementation, and evaluation, directing multidisciplinary teams and securing resources to achieve landscape-level conservation outcomes.
  6. Technical standards and engineering guidance documents — author and peer-review at the national or regional level to advance the profession's capacity to compute and apply conservation practice specifications.
  7. Enterprise GIS infrastructure and spatial data governance — direct development and integration strategies that enable organization-wide access to authoritative geographic information for conservation decision-making.
  8. Cross-agency and public–private partnership programs targeting wetland, habitat, and groundwater restoration — lead coalition building, negotiate agreements, and oversee program governance to achieve systemic environmental outcomes.
  9. Emerging conservation scientists and mid-career professionals — mentor, coach, and develop through structured training programs, fostering critical thinking, scientific integrity, and interdisciplinary problem-solving capacity.
  10. Organization-level performance measurement and systems evaluation — design and apply to assess the cumulative environmental impact of conservation investments and drive data-informed resource allocation decisions.

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Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Agricultural Consultant · Agriculture Consultant · Aquatic Ecologist · Aquatic Habitat Restoration Technician · Botany Technician · Conservation Agent · Conservation Associate · Conservation Engineer · Conservation Policy Analyst · Conservation Science Officer · Conservation Scientist · Conservation Specialist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingWritingScienceCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionService OrientationSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationMathematicsCoordinationNegotiation
Knowledge domains
English LanguageBiologyMathematicsGeographyCustomer and Personal ServiceChemistryLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingPhysicsDesignAdministration and Management
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInformation OrderingWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningSpeech ClarityFlexibility of Closure
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailIntegrityCautiousnessInnovationIntellectual Curiosity
Technology
Document management softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information systemMobile location based services softwareWeb platform development softwareSpreadsheet software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
  2. Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
  3. Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
  4. Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
  5. Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
  6. Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
  7. Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
  8. Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
CIP education codes
01.030801.110603.010103.020103.020503.020603.050103.050203.050603.060126.130126.130526.130726.131026.139930.330130.4401

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.