Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Conservation Scientists (19-1031) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands from fire and rodent damage. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering. Exclude "Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists" (19-1023) and "Foresters" (19-1032).

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Conservation Scientists
Employment Outlook for Conservation Scientists
Statewide Employment Analysis 2006 employment is estimated to be at about the statewide average. This occupation is expected to grow at a somewhat slower rate than the statewide average. Total job openings are projected to be at about the statewide average.

Reasonable, but limited, employment opportunities exist for trained workers.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Job Openings for Conservation Scientists There are 1 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 1 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Soil Conservationist 1/27/10 Pendleton
State of Oregon License Information for Conservation Scientists No statewide license is required for this occupation.
Wages for Conservation Scientists
Region ---------------- 2009 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $17.46 $21.73 $28.47 $36.38 $47.16 $30.54 $63,535
Multnomah / Washington 16.02 26.35 35.16 56.30 71.73 39.79 82,754
Jackson / Josephine 15.48 20.36 28.83 35.44 41.13 28.28 58,822
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 23.09 26.72 29.86 34.19 39.81 30.52 63,489
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 16.64 18.29 21.64 25.43 33.74 22.99 47,828
Klamath / Lake 20.71 22.73 26.30 33.42 37.36 27.59 57,387
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Conservation Scientists
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2006 2016 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 474 499 25 5.3% 3 14 17
Multnomah / Washington 88 91 3 3.4% 0 3 3
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 69 73 4 5.8% 0 2 3
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 58 63 5 8.6% 1 2 2
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 48 53 5 10.4% 1 2 2
Grant / Harney / Malheur 37 36 -1 -2.7% 0 1 1
Klamath / Lake 23 23 0 0.0% 0 1 1
Jackson / Josephine 17 15 -2 -11.8% 0 1 1
Morrow / Umatilla 15 15 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Baker / Union / Wallowa 15 15 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Clackamas 11 12 1 9.1% 0 0 0
Coos / Curry 10 13 3 30.0% 0 0 1
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 8 9 1 12.5% 0 0 0
Lane 7 7 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Douglas 2 2 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 2 2 0 0.0% 0 0 0

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Conservation Scientists
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2006
Employment
Total, All Industries All 474
Total, All Industries Private 52
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Private 12
Scientific Research and Development Services Private 12
Other Services (except Public Administration) Private 39
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations Private 39
Social Advocacy Organizations Private 39
Total, All Industries Federal 265
Federal Government (Non-Postal) Federal 265
Total, All Industries State 67
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing State 29
Real Estate State 29
Lessors of Real Estate State 29
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation State 16
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions State 16
Public Administration State 17
Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development State 17
Total, All Industries Local 80
Public Administration Local 73
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support Local 18
Administration of Environmental Quality Programs Local 55
Total, All Industries Tribal 10
Public Administration Tribal 10
Educational Requirements for Conservation Scientists Workers must have a bachelor's degree to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with a master's degree have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Conservation Scientists
  • Analyze And Evaluate Ecosystem Data
  • Apply Basic Chemistry
  • Apply Biological Theory
  • Apply Chemical Laboratory Tests
  • Apply Chemistry Theory
  • Apply Emergency Management Principles
  • Apply Fire Suppression Techniques
  • Apply Linear Algebra
  • Apply Map Reading Techniques In Wilderness Areas
  • Apply Mathematics To Statistical Modeling
  • Apply Plant Materials Principles
  • Apply Principles Of Soil Protection, Improvement And Conservation
  • Apply Research Methodology To Science Or Engineering
  • Apply Soil Science Principles
  • Conduct Chemical Analyses
  • Conduct Investigations And Research
  • Conduct Laboratory Research
  • Conduct Qualitative Analysis
  • Conduct Quantitative Analysis
  • Design Tables Depicting Data
  • Develop And Revise Databases
  • Diagnose And Solve Agricultural Production Problems
  • Identify Wood Species And Characteristics
  • Inspect Fields Or Forests To Detect Plant Diseases, Pest Infestations Or Noxious Weeds
  • Interpret And Apply Knowledge Of Relevant Laws
  • Investigate Crop Damage Caused By Wildlife
  • Judge Soil Conditions
  • Make Presentations
  • Negotiate Timber Sales And Reforestation Contracts
  • Prepare Reports In Timely Manner
  • Present Technical Papers And Research Results
  • Read And Interpret Aerial Photographs
  • Read Maps
  • Read Measuring And Metering Devices Used In Forestry
  • Recognize Plant Disease
  • Recognize Tree And Forest Plant Species
  • Research Work-Related Topics Using Library Resources
  • Understand, Use, And Communicate Technical Information
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Biological Research Techniques
  • Use Calculus
  • Use Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Use Gis Software
  • Use Long Term Forest Planning Techniques
  • Use Quantitative Research Methods
  • Write Grant Proposals
  • Write Project Or Bid Proposals
  • Write Technical Papers From Original Research
Schools and Training Providers for Conservation Scientists The training providers listed below offer one or more of the following programs:

Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr NE
Salem, OR 97305
Phone: (503) 399-5000
Programs of Training:
Mt Hood Community College
26000 SE Stark St
Gresham, OR 97030
Phone: (503) 491-6422
Programs of Training:
Apprenticeship Division
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite1045
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (971) 673-0760
Programs of Training:
Portland State University
724 SW Harrison
Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (503) 725-4433
Programs of Training:
Oregon State University
104 Kerr Administration Bldg.
Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone: (541) 737-0123
Programs of Training:
Treasure Valley Community College
650 College Blvd
Ontario, OR 97914
Phone: (541) 881-8822
Programs of Training:
OSU-Cascades Campus
2600 NW College Way
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 322-3100
Programs of Training:
University of Oregon
110 Johnson Hall
Eugene, OR 97403
Phone: (541) 346-3014
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Conservation Scientists No Career Pathway links were found for this occupation.
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Conservation Scientists matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Foresters 67%
Soil And Plant Scientists 59%
Agricultural And Food Scientists 49%
Food Scientists And Technologists 43%
Zoologists And Wildlife Biologists 42%
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists And Geographers 41%
Environmental Scientists And Specialists, Including Health 39%
Biological Scientists, All Other 39%
Animal Scientists 39%
Microbiologists 38%