DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
19-1031 Conservation Scientists
Occupational Description:
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. Excludes “Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists" (19-1023) and "Foresters" (19-1032).| Percentiles | |||||||||
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| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 740 | 126 | $29.61/hr | $0.86/hr | $20.45/hr | $23.79/hr | $28.91/hr | $33.33/hr | $39.12/hr |
| U S | 18,460 | 314 | $30.99/hr | $0.15/hr | $18.69/hr | $23.12/hr | $29.78/hr | $36.51/hr | $44.29/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2010 - 2020 | |
| Management Analysts | 9,220 | $37.42/hr | 16.9% |
| Nonfarm Animal Caretakers | 2,240 | $8.93/hr | 31.4% |
| Residential Advisors | 1,650 | $15.08/hr | 21.6% |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 1,540 | $27.06/hr | 19.0% |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | 1,350 | $29.29/hr | 11.2% |
| First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | 1,230 | $21.34/hr | 19.9% |
| Foresters | 660 | $29.06/hr | 2.6% |
| Landscape Architects | 600 | $26.88/hr | 10.8% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 270 | $17.09/hr | 11.0% |
| Animal Trainers | 260 | $12.66/hr | 14.6% |
| First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 230 | $24.22/hr | N/A |
| Fish and Game Wardens | 10 | $17.87/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Conservation Scientists
- Plans soil management practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil and conserve water.
- Develops plans for conservation, such as conservation cropping systems, woodlands management, pasture planning and engineering systems.
- Analyzes results of investigations to determine measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management.
- Monitors projects during and after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
- Surveys property to mark locations and measurements, using surveying instruments.
- Revisits land users to view implemented land use practices and plans.
- Discusses conservation plans, problems, and alternative solutions with land users, applying knowledge of agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agricultural sciences.
- Computes cost estimates of different conservation practices based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements and life expectancy of practices.
- Develops or participates in environmental studies.
- Computes design specification for implementation of conservation practices, using survey and field information technical guides, engineering manuals, and calculator.
- Conducts surveys and investigations of various land uses, such as rural or urban, agriculture, construction, forestry or mining.
- Studies range lands to determine best grazing seasons.
- Develops methods for protecting range from fire and rodent damage.
- Plans and directs construction of range improvements, such as fencing, corrals, stock-watering reservoirs and soil-erosion control structures.
- Plans and directs maintenance of range improvements.
- Develops methods for controlling poisonous plants in range lands.
- Studies range lands to determine number and kind of livestock that can be most profitably grazed.
- Develops improved practices for range reseeding.
- Studies forage plants and their growth requirements to determine varieties best suited to particular range.
- Conducts field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of park.
- Constructs historical, scientific, and nature visitor-center displays.
- Surveys park to determine forest conditions.
- Plans and organizes activities of seasonal staff members.
- Performs emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
- Maintains official park photographic and information files.
- Surveys park to determine distribution and abundance of fauna and flora.
- Takes photographs and motion pictures to illustrate lectures and publications and to develop displays.
- Prepares and presents illustrated lectures of park features.
- Plans and develops audiovisual devices for public programs.
- Confers with park staff to determine subjects to be presented to public.
- Interviews specialists in desired fields to obtain and develop data for park information programs.