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Soil and Water Conservationist

Overview and Key Facts

farmer and conservationist chatting
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$67,950
Job Growth
Job Growth
3.40%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
29,500

What Do They Do?

A soil and water conservationist could...

 
farmers with pineapples
Advise farmers on how to rotate different crops to avoid depleting the soil of nutrients and to conserve water.
road that has been eroded by ocean
Travel to areas that are experiencing erosion and develop plans to control it.
family on their property
Advise landowners on ways in which they can safely use their land for recreation, without degrading its quality.
sheep grazing
Help ranchers determine the number and kinds of animals to graze, and during what seasons to graze them.
 
farmers with pineapples road that has been eroded by ocean family on their property sheep grazing

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.
Watch this video to learn more about the responsibilities of a soil conservationist. A soil conservationist is part scientist, part educator, and part environmentalist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T75Y-5nWlfU

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


  1. Active Listening: ?
  2. Reading Comprehension: ?
  3. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Writing: ?
More skills...

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.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Soil and Water Conservationist Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Soil and Water Conservationist jobs (3.40%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Soil and Water Conservationist

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Conservation scientist jobs require a bachelor's degree. Research and teaching positions usually need a graduate degree. To work in certain areas of conservation might require a professional license.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Conservation scientists generally have at least a bachelor's degree in fields such as ecology, natural resource management, agriculture, biology, or environmental science. A master's degree or PhD is usually required for teaching and research positions.

Very few colleges and universities offer degrees in soil conservation. Most soil conservationists have degrees in environmental studies, agronomy, general agriculture, hydrology, or crop or soil science; a few have degrees in related fields such as wildlife biology, forestry, and range management. Programs of study usually include 30 semester hours in natural resources or agriculture, including at least 3 hours in soil science.

Companies That Hire Soil and Water Conservationists

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Read this interview with Kate Zultner, a coastal planning specialist.
I enjoy working and collaborating with people who are also engaged and enthusiastic about protecting and conserving our natural resources for future generations. 
Kate Zultner, Coastal Planning Specialist

Nature of the Work

Forests and rangelands supply wood products, livestock forage, minerals, and water. They serve as sites for recreational activities and provide habitats for wildlife. Conservation scientists help to protect our national resources. Most conservation work falls into one of two categories: conservation science focusing on range lands and conservation science focusing on farming and soil.

Conservation scientists manage, improve, and protect the country's natural resources. They work with landowners and Federal, State, and local governments to devise ways to use and improve the land while safeguarding the environment. Conservation scientists mainly advise farmers, farm managers, and ranchers on how they can improve their land for agricultural purposes and to control erosion. A growing number of conservation scientists are also advising landowners and governments on recreational uses for the land.

Soil and water conservationists provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, forest managers, State and local agencies, and others concerned with the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. They develop programs for private landowners designed to make the most productive use of land without damaging it. Soil conservationists also assist landowners by visiting areas with erosion problems, finding the source of the problem, and helping landowners and managers develop management practices to combat it. Water conservationists also assist private landowners and federal, state, and local governments by advising on water quality, preserving water supplies, groundwater contamination, and management and conservation of water resources.

Work Environment

Working conditions vary considerably. Some conservation scientists work regular hours in offices or labs, but others may split their time between fieldwork and office work. Independent consultants and new, less experienced workers spend the majority of their time outdoors overseeing or participating in hands-on work. Fieldwork can involve long hours alone.

The work can be physically demanding. Some conservation scientists work outdoors in all types of weather, sometimes in isolated areas, and consequently may need to walk long distances through densely wooded land to carry out their work. Natural disasters may also cause conservation scientists to work long hours during emergencies. For example, conservation scientists often are called to prevent erosion after a forest fire and to provide emergency help after floods, mudslides, and tropical storms.

More Information

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