Nature conservation officer
Also known as: conservation programmes officer, wildlife control agent, countryside ranger, forester, heritage coast warden, environmental enforcement officer
About this occupation
Nature conservation officers manage and improve the local environment within all the sectors of a local community. They promote awareness of and understanding about the natural environment. This work can be very varied and involve projects related to species, habitats and communities. They educate people and raise overall awareness of environmental issues.
Essential skills and knowledge
- educate people about nature
- biology
- manage staff
- ensure compliance with environmental legislation
- assess environmental impact
- advise on nature conservation
- ecology
- protect wilderness areas
- conduct research on flora
- analyse environmental data
- report on environmental issues
- environmental legislation
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Conservation Scientists (O*NET 19-1031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Science
US median pay: US$73,010 a year (2025), 25,950 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.9)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (3.7)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.5)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Range Managers
- Industrial Ecologists
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Water Resource Specialists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Hydrologists
- Foresters
- Park Naturalists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.