Plan and develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil and water conservation, and sound land use.

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

1. Develop and maintain working relationships with local government staff and board members.

2. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.

3. Advise land users, such as farmers and ranchers, on conservation plans, problems and alternative solutions, and provide technical and planning assistance.

4. Plan soil management and conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil and conserve water.

5. Visit areas affected by erosion problems to seek sources and solutions.

6. Monitor projects during and after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.

7. Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey and field information technical guides, engineering manuals, and calculators.

8. Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices and plans.

9. Coordinate and implement technical, financial, and administrative assistance programs for local government units to ensure efficient program implementation and timely responses to requests for assistance.

10. Analyze results of investigations to determine measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management.

11. Participate on work teams to plan, develop, and implement water and land management programs and policies.

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.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

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

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

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

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

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Soil and Water Conservationists. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Soil and Water Conservationists, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$43,450 for entry level workers, and $65,720 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Less Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 1,110 Soil and Water Conservationists employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 1,120  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 0 job(s) each year, and a total of 30 job openings each year.

Garden Mosaics - To learn more about the science behind gardening, Garden Mosaics, a youth and community education program, combines science learning with intergenerational mentoring, multicultural understanding, and community action. Garden Mosaics provides diverse learning opportunities for youth aged 10 to18, educators, and gardeners.

Conservation scientists and foresters - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Backyard Nature - Naturalist Jim Conrad has created a friendly, nicely illustrated introduction to studying nature, starting in your own backyard. The site features information on plants, animals, and fungi that might thrive in a backyard and provides basic information on ecology, geology, naming and classifying living things, and other topics.

Sci4Kids - Bridging the gap between science, agriculture, and kids, Sci4Kids is geared to children ages 8 to 13. The site is a series of interactive stories based on research projects featured in Agricultural Research. Themes include transportation, weird science, cities, aquaculture and more!

Teens For Planet Earth - Are you fascinated by nature and the environment? Do you ever dream about working with or protecting wildlife? Are you worried about the future of our planet? The Teens for Planet Earth website can help you learn more about the environment and conservation, and use this knowledge to develop a project that'll have a real impact on your own corner of the globe.

Summer at RPI: Nature's Treasure Hunt - Explore local ecosystems through art and science.This summer program is a hands-on exploration of nature. In it students learn how to use a variety of environmental and visualization tools such as a compass, global positioning system (gps) unit, digital camera, imaging software, field guide and topographic map.

Wildlife Conservation Society - Saving Wildlife - The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild lands.They do so through careful science, international conservation, education, and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo.

Landscape Architects - Plan and design land areas for such projects as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.

Soil and Plant Scientists - Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

Biologists - Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

Range Managers - Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Foresters - Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine the best time for harvesting. Develop forest management plans for public and privately-owned forested lands.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health - Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various scientific disciplines may collect, synthesize, study, report, and take action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Fish and Game Wardens - Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.