Soil and Water Conservationist

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A soil and water conservationist could...

Overview Listen to this section

Soil and water are two of Earth's most important natural resources. Earth would not be able to sustain life without nutritive soil to grow food and clean water to drink. Soil and water conservationists foster the science and art of natural resource conservation. The scientists work to discover, develop, implement, and constantly improve ways to use land that sustains its productive capacity, and enhances the environment at the same time. Soil and water conservationists are involved in improving conservation policy by bringing science and professional judgment to bear in shaping local, state, and federal policy.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Soil and Water Conservationist?

1. 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.
2. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
3. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
4. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
5. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

6. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
7. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
8. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
9. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
10. Time Management: ? Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Soil and Water Conservationist might do:

• Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
• Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
• Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
• Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
• Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
• Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
• Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
• Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
• Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.
• Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
• Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.
• 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.
• Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
• Enter local soil, water, or other environmental data into adaptive or Web-based decision tools to identify appropriate analyses or techniques.
• Analyze results of investigations to determine measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management.
• Develop, conduct, or participate in surveys, studies, or investigations of various land uses to inform corrective action plans.
• 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.
• Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification.
• Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation.
• Review or approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans or conservation district plans.
• Review proposed wetland restoration easements or provide technical recommendations.
• Develop soil maps.
• Manage field offices or involve staff in cooperative ventures.
• Initiate, schedule, or conduct annual audits or compliance checks of program implementation by local government.
• 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.
• Review annual reports of counties, conservation districts, or watershed management organizations, certifying compliance with mandated reporting requirements.
• Review grant applications or make funding recommendations.
• Develop or conduct environmental studies, such as plant material field trials or wildlife habitat impact studies.
• Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes.