Soil and Water Conservation Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist

Best Schools to become a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist in U.S. 2024

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV

In-State Tuition:$6,840
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,840
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:55%
Total Enrollment:48,668

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

In-State Tuition:$4,477
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,694
Admission Rate:23%
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:55,211

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR

In-State Tuition:$10,425
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,200
Admission Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:70%
Total Enrollment:34,292

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

In-State Tuition:$14,542
Out-of-State Tuition:$35,122
Admission Rate:45%
Graduation Rate:85%
Total Enrollment:56,916

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH

In-State Tuition:$11,525
Out-of-State Tuition:$35,782
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:88%
Total Enrollment:60,540
Soil and Water Conservation Specialist Job Description:
  • Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources.
  • May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression.
  • May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist

Job Duties for Soil and Water Conservation Specialists

  • Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.

  • Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.

  • Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.

Technologies and Skills Used by Soil and Water Conservation Specialists

Data base user interface and query software

  • Assisi Compiler
  • Microsoft Access

Map creation software

  • Ben Meadows Yeoman Expedition
  • Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE

Presentation software

  • Corel Presentation
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist