Career Exploration Guide

SOC: 19-1031

Conservation Scientists

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 from fire and rodent damage. 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. Exclude "Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists" (19-1023) and "Foresters" (19-1032).

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Education:		Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

OJT:		Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Tasks:		Monitor forestry and conservation activities to assure compliance with government regulations. Establish plans for managing forest lands and resources. Supervise activities of other forestry and conservation workers. Choose and prepare sites for new trees using controlled burning, bulldozers, or herbicides to clear land. Negotiate terms and conditions for forest harvesting and land-use contracts. Direct and participate in forest-fire suppression. Determine ways to remove timber with minimum environmental damage. Monitor forest-cleared lands to ensure that they are suitable for future use.

License:		The applicant should contact the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers for application forms, procedures, and examination schedules. Temporary permits may be issued to non-residents or persons who have recently become residents, for specific jobs and for specific periods of time, not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year. Application Fee: $100.00 Initial Registration Fee: $40.00 Temporary Permits: $40.00 Re-examination Fee: $10.00

Outlook:		poor

Alabama Employment Outlook

Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage		Annual Wage
Entry	$25.27	Entry	$52,544.00
Mean	$36.13	Mean	$75,143.00
Experience	$41.56	Experience	$86,452.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections

Estimated Employment 2016	Projected Employment 2026	Annual Average Openings	Annual Growth Rate
110	110	10

Related Occupations:

Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:

Agricultural Inspectors

Aquacultural Managers

Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School

Construction and Building Inspectors

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Farm and Home Management Advisors

Fire Inspectors

First-Line Supervisors of Animal Husbandry and Animal Care Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Aquacultural Workers

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

Marine Engineers

Nursery and Greenhouse Managers

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Range Managers

Self-Enrichment Education Teachers

Soil and Plant Scientists

Soil and Water Conservationists

Urban and Regional Planners

Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Alabama A & M University

Auburn University

Tuskegee University

Occupational Videos

19-1031.00

Conservation Scientists