Conservation Scientists Salary in Blacksburg, VA

Common tasks

• Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
• Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
• Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
• Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
• Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
• Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
• Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
• Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.
• Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.
• Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.