Conservation Scientists

Key Responsibilities

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