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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Conservation Scientist

💰 $55,000 - $100,000

ConservationEnvironmental ScienceNatural ResourcesEcology

🎯 Role Definition

A Conservation Scientist applies ecological science and natural resource management principles to conserve and restore habitats, protect biodiversity, and support sustainable land use. This role leads field surveys and monitoring programs, develops and implements habitat restoration and invasive species management projects, interprets spatial data (GIS and remote sensing), ensures environmental compliance and permitting, prepares scientific reports and grant proposals, and engages with landowners, agencies, and community stakeholders to advance measurable conservation outcomes.

Primary focus areas: habitat and species assessment, ecological restoration design and implementation, long‑term monitoring and adaptive management, spatial analysis and data-driven decision-making, compliance with environmental regulations, and partnership development for conservation delivery.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Technician / Ecological Technician conducting surveys and sample collection.
  • Wildlife Biologist or Plant Ecologist with field monitoring experience.
  • Environmental Technician or Natural Resource Specialist working on restoration crews.

Advancement To:

  • Senior Conservation Scientist / Lead Ecologist overseeing programs and teams.
  • Conservation Program Manager or Restoration Project Manager directing multi-site initiatives.
  • Habitat Conservation Planner or Landscape Ecologist responsible for regional planning and prioritization.
  • Director of Conservation, Senior Advisor, or Technical Lead for NGO, agency, or corporate conservation programs.

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Specialist or Remote Sensing Analyst focusing on spatial conservation science.
  • Conservation Policy Analyst or Environmental Compliance Specialist influencing regulation and policy.
  • Natural Resource Manager or Land Stewardship Coordinator managing public or private lands.
  • Community Engagement or Outreach Manager translating science to stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and design comprehensive habitat assessments and species inventories across terrestrial and aquatic systems, using standardized protocols to document species presence, abundance, and distribution and to inform site-level conservation priorities.
  • Develop, implement, and manage multi-year ecological monitoring programs to track biodiversity, habitat condition, restoration success, and climate-change indicators, including establishing permanent plots, data QA/QC, and reporting.
  • Conduct field surveys for plants, wildlife, fish, invertebrates and rare species using established methods (e.g., point counts, transects, quadrats, aquatic electrofishing, vegetation plots), ensuring accuracy of field data and safe, ethical field practices.
  • Use GIS and remote sensing tools (ArcGIS, QGIS, LiDAR, satellite imagery, drone imagery) to map habitats, analyze landscape connectivity, model species distribution, and prioritize areas for conservation and restoration.
  • Design and oversee ecological restoration and habitat enhancement projects, including native planting plans, hydrologic restoration, erosion control, reforestation, wetland creation or enhancement, and post‑treatment monitoring.
  • Prepare clear, evidence-based technical reports, restoration plans, environmental assessments, and scientific manuscripts that synthesize monitoring results and translate findings into management recommendations for managers, funders, and regulatory agencies.
  • Write, develop, and manage grant proposals, grant reporting, and contract deliverables to secure and steward funding for conservation projects, tracking budgets, milestones, and outcomes against funder expectations.
  • Ensure compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and permitting processes (e.g., NEPA, ESA, Clean Water Act, state permitting), prepare permit applications, and coordinate with regulatory agencies to secure approvals.
  • Provide technical guidance and supervision to field crews, seasonal technicians, interns, volunteers, and contractors ensuring safe fieldwork, data quality, and adherence to protocols and timelines.
  • Lead invasive species inventories and integrated pest management strategies, prioritizing treatment areas, selecting appropriate control methods, coordinating treatment operations, and assessing treatment efficacy.
  • Develop and apply statistical analysis and ecological modeling (R, Python, statistical packages) to analyze monitoring datasets, detect trends, evaluate project effectiveness, and support decision-making and adaptive management.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams—including hydrologists, foresters, engineers, policy staff, and economists—to design and deliver scalable conservation solutions that integrate social, ecological, and economic considerations.
  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with landowners, tribes, federal/state agencies, NGOs, municipalities, and community groups to facilitate project implementation, land access, cooperative management agreements, and long-term stewardship.
  • Translate complex science into accessible educational materials, presentations, workshops, and outreach events for landowners, partner organizations, elected officials, and the public to build support for conservation initiatives.
  • Oversee data management systems and GIS databases ensuring consistent metadata standards, secure data storage, and accessibility for analysis, reporting, and long-term monitoring (including ArcGIS Online/Server or cloud data platforms).
  • Conduct risk assessments and climate vulnerability assessments for species and habitats, integrating climate resilience and nature-based solutions into conservation planning and restoration design.
  • Coordinate and manage contractor scopes of work, procurement, and on-site supervision for heavy equipment operations, seeding, planting, and construction associated with restoration projects.
  • Prepare and present briefings and conservation recommendations to senior leadership, boards, funders, and regulatory review panels, aligning project outcomes with organizational strategy and conservation goals.
  • Track and evaluate ecological indicators and conservation metrics, define success criteria, and apply adaptive management principles to modify techniques and priorities based on monitoring feedback.
  • Develop and implement safety plans and field risk mitigation protocols, including training on GPS navigation, radio communications, first-aid, wildlife avoidance, and working around heavy equipment and hazardous terrain.
  • Manage project budgets, timelines, permitting milestones, and deliverables; forecast resource needs and report on financial and ecological performance to funders and stakeholders.
  • Participate in policy and planning efforts when needed, providing scientific input to land-use planning documents, conservation easement negotiations, mitigation banking proposals, and community resilience strategies.
  • Mentor junior staff and students, support capacity building within partner organizations, and contribute to staff training programs and protocol standardization across projects.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and provide analytical summaries for partners, funders, and decision-makers.
  • Assist in community outreach events, volunteer recruitment, and stewardship days that support hands-on restoration and monitoring work.
  • Contribute to the organization’s strategic conservation planning, priority-setting, and grant development process.
  • Maintain and calibrate field equipment (GPS units, water quality probes, drones, camera traps) and coordinate logistics for field seasons.
  • Support permitting workflows, environmental compliance tracking, and preparation of documentation for regulatory inspections.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary grant teams and collaborative research initiatives that expand conservation partnerships and funding opportunities.
  • Provide technical support for developing online maps, interactive dashboards, and public-facing project websites that communicate results and solicit stakeholder input.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient in GIS mapping and spatial analysis using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and/or QGIS for habitat mapping, connectivity analysis, and project planning.
  • Experience with remote sensing datasets (satellite imagery, LiDAR, drone/UAV imagery) and image processing workflows for landcover classification and change detection.
  • Strong field survey skills for vegetation, wildlife, aquatic sampling, and protocol-based monitoring (e.g., point counts, transects, quadrats, electrofishing, macroinvertebrate sampling).
  • Species identification expertise across relevant taxa (flora and fauna) for regional projects and the ability to use dichotomous keys and field guides.
  • Data analysis and statistical modeling proficiency in R or Python (data cleaning, mixed models, occupancy models, trend analysis) to evaluate monitoring results.
  • Experience designing and implementing ecological restoration projects (seed mix design, planting, erosion control, wetland restoration).
  • Knowledge of environmental regulations and permitting (NEPA, ESA, Clean Water Act, state and local permitting regimes) and experience preparing permit applications.
  • Grant writing and proposal development skills with demonstrated success securing public or private conservation funding.
  • Project management capabilities including budgeting, scheduling, contractor management, and deliverable tracking using tools like MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar.
  • Proficient in scientific and technical writing, preparing technical reports, environmental assessments, and publications for diverse audiences.
  • Familiarity with water quality sampling, hydrologic assessments, and basic soil and sediment analysis techniques.
  • Experience with database management, metadata standards, and cloud-based data platforms (e.g., ArcGIS Online, Google Cloud, AWS, or institutional servers).
  • Competence with drone operation and data collection preferred (UAV piloting, photogrammetry, compliance with FAA/drone regulations).

Soft Skills

  • Strong oral and written communication skills for preparing reports, grant narratives, and public presentations.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, including landowners, indigenous communities, agencies, and NGOs.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills for applying science to real-world conservation challenges and making adaptive management decisions.
  • Leadership and team management experience, including mentoring field crews, technicians, and seasonal staff.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and shifting priorities simultaneously.
  • Cultural sensitivity and experience working with diverse communities and tribal partners in culturally appropriate ways.
  • Negotiation and conflict-resolution skills for navigating competing land uses and stakeholder interests.
  • Attention to detail for rigor in data collection, QA/QC, and scientific documentation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology, Forestry, or related scientific discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree (M.S.) or Ph.D. in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Landscape Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Restoration Ecology, or a closely related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Ecology / Conservation Biology
  • Wildlife Biology / Fisheries Science
  • Forestry / Forest Ecology
  • Restoration Ecology
  • Environmental Science / Natural Resource Management
  • Geographic Information Science (GIS) / Remote Sensing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8 years of progressive experience in field ecology, habitat restoration, or conservation program implementation.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years managing conservation projects, supervising field teams, and leading monitoring programs.
  • Demonstrated success obtaining grants or managing externally funded projects.
  • Experience liaising with federal/state agencies, tribes, and multiple stakeholders to deliver conservation outcomes.
  • Proven track record of applying GIS/remote sensing and statistical analysis to inform conservation planning and reporting.
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