Soil and Water Conservationists

Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.

Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.

Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.

Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.

Manage field offices or involve staff in cooperative ventures.

Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.

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.

Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.

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

Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.

Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes.

Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.

Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification.

Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.

Provide information, knowledge, expertise, or training to government agencies at all levels to solve water or soil management problems or to assure coordination of resource protection activities.

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

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

Initiate, schedule, or conduct annual audits or compliance checks of program implementation by local government.

Develop water conservation or harvest plans, using weather information systems, irrigation information management systems, or other sources of daily evapotranspiration (ET) data.

Survey property to mark locations or measurements, using surveying instruments.

Review or approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans or conservation district plans.

Review proposed wetland restoration easements or provide technical recommendations.

Identify or recommend integrated weed and pest management (IPM) strategies, such as resistant plants, cultural or behavioral controls, soil amendments, insects, natural enemies, barriers, or pesticides.

Develop, conduct, or participate in surveys, studies, or investigations of various land uses to inform corrective action plans.

Enter local soil, water, or other environmental data into adaptive or Web-based decision tools to identify appropriate analyses or techniques.

Develop or conduct environmental studies, such as plant material field trials or wildlife habitat impact studies.

Provide access to programs or training to assist in completion of government groundwater protection plans.

Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation.

Calculate or compare efficiencies associated with changing from low-precision irrigation technologies, such as furrow irrigation, to high-precision technologies, such as computer-controlled systems.

Evaluate or recommend geographic information systems (GIS) applications to address issues such as surface water quality, groundwater quality, ecological risk assessments, air quality, or environmental contamination.

Review annual reports of counties, conservation districts, or watershed management organizations, certifying compliance with mandated reporting requirements.

Review grant applications or make funding recommendations.