In the Air Force:
Special Reconnaissance; Special Reconnaissance Apprentice; Special Reconnaissance Craftsman; Special Reconnaissance Helper; Special Reconnaissance Journeyman; Tactical Air Control Party (TACP); Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Apprentice; Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Craftsman; Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Helper; Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Journeyman
When today’s farmers and ranchers need help with their farmland, they count on conservation scientists. To help resolve problems with soil conservation or range management, working in this field often means literally working in a field! Conservation scientists usually start by analyzing how land use patterns contribute to problems identified by farmers, such as overgrazed rangeland, soil erosion, or a shortage of water reservoirs for cattle. These scientists review the results of lab work on soil samples. They record, analyze and map data to formulate plans that will correct problems without endangering the environment, for example using better plowing and planting methods. They must consider laws, costs, and the time required to achieve improvement. They may put their plan into action and monitor progress, or they may follow up with others who implement their plan. Like most jobs in scientific research, these scientists need to possess a healthy degree of curiosity, detailed knowledge of their field, and the discipline required for a trial and error approach to problems. While most conservation scientists hold a bachelor's degree, often in a natural science, a doctorate is required to lead research projects or to teach. Conservation scientists enjoy the challenge of giving nature a little extra help.
What they do:
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
On the job, you would:
Regulate grazing, such as by issuing permits and checking for compliance with standards, and help ranchers plan and organize grazing systems to manage, improve, protect, and maximize the use of rangelands.
Manage forage resources through fire, herbicide use, or revegetation to maintain a sustainable yield from the land.
Coordinate with federal land managers and other agencies and organizations to manage and protect rangelands.
Math and Science
biology
geography
Arts and Humanities
English language
Safety and Government
law and government
public safety and security
Business
administrative services
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Initiative
Integrity
Cooperation
Independence
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Analytical or scientific software
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
National Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Information System ESIS
bachelor's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.