What You Need to Know About Soil and Water Conservationists

Example of a Soil and Water Conservationist Job Plan or develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil or water conservation, or sound land use.

Life As a Soil and Water Conservationist

• Review annual reports of counties, conservation districts, or watershed management organizations, certifying compliance with mandated reporting requirements.
• Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
• Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.
• 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.
• Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
• Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.

Soil and Water Conservationist Required Skills

When polled, Soil and Water Conservationists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Other Soil and Water Conservationist Job Titles

• Restoration Ecologist
• Farm Planner
• Conservation Policy Analyst
• Natural Resources Specialist
• Erosion Control Specialist

Is There Going to be Demand for Soil and Water Conservationists?

There were about 22,300 jobs for Conservation Scientists in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.3% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,400 new jobs for Soil and Water Conservationists by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,000 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Conservation Scientists are Colorado, Texas, and California.

Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, New Mexico, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Soil and Water Conservationist

The average yearly salary of a Soil and Water Conservationist ranges between $34,020 and $98,450. The median salary for this occupation is $61,310.

How much do Conservation Scientists make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alaska	$93,390
Connecticut	$87,710
New Jersey	$85,360
Maryland	$79,070
Oregon	$76,790
California	$75,980
Virginia	$75,370
Minnesota	$72,650
Massachusetts	$72,200
New Hampshire	$72,160
Arizona	$71,190
Wyoming	$71,180
Colorado	$71,170
Arkansas	$70,630
Georgia	$69,390
Kansas	$68,910
New Mexico	$68,710
Tennessee	$68,440
Hawaii	$68,360
Kentucky	$67,440
Idaho	$66,510
Wisconsin	$65,610
Nebraska	$65,300
Washington	$65,120
North Dakota	$64,900
Montana	$64,480
Oklahoma	$64,330
Illinois	$63,840
Utah	$63,720
Michigan	$63,460
Indiana	$63,320
South Dakota	$62,390
Maine	$61,970
North Carolina	$61,780
Nevada	$61,670
Louisiana	$61,430
Alabama	$59,310
Texas	$57,990
Missouri	$57,580
Iowa	$56,820
South Carolina	$56,220
Ohio	$55,550
Delaware	$55,300
Pennsylvania	$55,200
Vermont	$55,150
Mississippi	$54,870
West Virginia	$50,210
Florida	$40,620

What Tools do Soil and Water Conservationists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Soil and Water Conservationists:

• ESRI ArcGIS software
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Office

Where Soil and Water Conservationists Work

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Soil and Water Conservationist may also be interested in:

• Coroners
• Forest and Conservation Technicians

Career changers with experience as a Soil and Water Conservationist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Farm and Home Management Advisors
• Food Scientists and Technologists
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons