Conservation Scientists
SOC Code: 19-1031 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
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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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Conservation Scientists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $77,438 | $95,805 | $114,150 | $132,517 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $67,018 | $85,114 | $103,230 | $121,326 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $52,915 | $74,318 | $95,742 | $117,146 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $63,336 | $80,787 | $98,259 | $115,710 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $57,949 | $77,189 | $96,408 | $115,648 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $51,834 | $72,904 | $93,974 | $115,045 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $44,699 | $68,037 | $91,354 | $114,691 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,109 | $79,477 | $96,866 | $114,234 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $63,731 | $80,330 | $96,907 | $113,506 |
| Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $59,259 | $77,314 | $95,368 | $113,422 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 | |
| Speaking | 3.6 | |
| Science | 3.5 | |
| Writing | 3.5 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| English Language | 4.3 |
| Biology | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.7 |
| Geography | 3.7 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.6 |
| Chemistry | 3.5 |
| Law and Government | 3.5 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 69.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.0% |
| Master's degree | 8.7% |
| Some college | 4.3% |
| Post-first professional | 4.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
- Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
- Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
- Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.
- Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
- Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
- Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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