O*NET-SOC 19-1031.00

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. 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.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 4 – Considerable preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresConsiderable skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.8808/2022
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a3.8808/2022
Complex Problem Solving2.B.2.i3.6208/2022
Speaking2.A.1.d3.6208/2022
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a3.508/2022
Science2.A.1.f3.508/2022

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.1208/2022
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.24.008/2022
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.33.8808/2022
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.43.7508/2022
Information Ordering1.A.1.b.63.7508/2022
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.33.7508/2022

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.Core2308/2022
Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.Core2308/2022
Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.Core2308/2022
Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.Core2308/2022
Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.Core2208/2022

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Investigative5.711/2023
Realistic5.1611/2023
Conventional4.011/2023
Enterprising3.1811/2023
Social2.8811/2023
Artistic1.9711/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 4

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.