United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Challenging

Careers in the

Natural

Resources

Conservation

Service

Challenging

Careers in the

Natural

Resources

Conservation

Service

Helping People Help the Land
A lot of people talk

about protecting our

Nation’s natural resources.

But talk doesn’t get the job done.

We at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources 

Conservation Service (NRCS) need people who are committed to 

action. People who want to apply their education and experience to 

making sure that all of us enjoy the benefits of productive soil, clean 

water, clean air, and abundant wildlife that come from a healthy 

environment.

You can be one of us!

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NRCS came out of troubled times—the Dust Bowl 

days of the 1930s. Dust storms ravaged the Nation’s 

farmland, stripping away millions of tons of topsoil 

and carrying it all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Since that time, NRCS has kept a commitment to 

protecting and conserving soil and other natural 

resources on America’s private lands.

NRCS is known worldwide for its accomplishments and innovations in conservation. The people 

of NRCS are recognized for their talent, dedication, 

and ingenuity in making the Agency’s programs 

work. Participation in NRCS conservation programs 

is voluntary—we help the people we serve take the 

necessary steps to conserve soil, protect wildlife, 

restore water quality, promote good land use, and 

implement other measures to conserve the Nation’s 

natural resources for future generations.

At NRCS, we take pride in our partnerships. We 

work with local soil and water conservation districts 

and many other partners to let people know how 

important it is to conserve natural resources. And, 

together, we work with them on how to do it.

Who We Are Who We Are

Before we describe the people and careers 

that make NRCS the Federal Government’s conservation leader, 

here’s some information for you about NRCS and what it means to America.
“I feel that I have helped people by producing tools—like soil 

maps and interpretations—that are used to make wise land 

use decisions and increase productivity. It’s about helping 

people help the land and the land helping us.”

William H. Taylor 

Soil Scientist

Massachusetts

“My time spent with conservation 

stewards is one of the highlights 

since coming to Ohio. They represent everything that farm life and 

being a conservationist is all about: 

the closeness of family, living on the 

land, and producing food in a way 

that sustains our natural resources 

for future generations.”

Terry Cosby 

State Conservationist

Ohio

“My work is never boring. I get to 

evaluate grasses, look at plant 

diversity and production, and talk 

with ranchers about range management opportunities.” 

Dana Truman 

Area Rangeland

Management Specialist

Utah

I’m a Conservationist...I wouldn’t have it any other way!

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NRCS offers career opportunities for those in 

college and those who have already graduated. 

Here’s an overview of some of our jobs, along with 

information about what it takes to come on board.

SOIL CONSERVATIONIST

As an NRCS soil conservationist, you’ll spend 

most of your time in the field working with farmers, 

ranchers, foresters, and other land users. You’ll 

offer conservation planning and technical help to 

everyone from family farmers to local government 

officials. You’ll suggest to them ways to conserve 

the soil, improve water quality, manage nutrients, 

restore wetlands, and protect and improve wildlife 

habitat.

You’ll make presentations and demonstrate 

conservation to clubs and organizations and provide 

outreach for NRCS programs. You’ll assist in setting 

local conservation priorities and then help carry 

them out. And you’ll be able to see the results of 

your work on the land.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher that 

includes a major field of study (including 300 level 

courses) in soil conservation or a related agricultural 

or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil 

science, forestry, agricultural education, or agricultural 

engineering. The study must include 30 semester hours in 

a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 

12 semesters hours in a combination of soils and crops or 

plant science of which 3 semester hours must be in soils 

and 3 semester hours in crops or plant science (see Note 

on page 7).

Conservation Careers Conservation Careers
“I never meant to stay this long, but 

every project I’ve had the chance to 

work on has been better than the one 

before.”

Mark Clark

Regional Soil Specialist

Alaska

“I understand that what I do here makes a difference on the 

land; that’s what drives me...I like helping landowners reach 

their goals and see the positive results of the conservation 

work they’ve done.”

Erasmo Montemayer 

District Conservationist

Texas

“One of the most rewarding things I’ve done was working 

with kids to plant shrubs for wildlife winter and foraging 

cover. (This) will make an impression lasting their lifetime.”

Matt Walker 

Area Biologist

Montana

SOIL CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN

NRCS Conservation technicians work directly 

with farmers, ranchers, and foresters. You’ll survey 

and design conservation practices, oversee their 

installation, and ensure they meet our quality 

standards. The conservation technician is key to 

the success of NRCS, because most everything you 

do results in on-the-ground practices that directly 

improve, conserve, or restore our natural resources.

Qualifications: Knowledge of farm or ranch operations, 

or work experience that makes you familiar with 

conservation practices is desirable (see Note on page 7).

SOIL SCIENTIST

As an NRCS soil scientist, you’ll map and classify 

soils. You’ll identify problems such as soil moisture 

and erosion. You’ll use digital and satellite imagery 

to map soils and write descriptions. You’ll sample 

soils and evaluate their quality, and work with 

information on watersheds, water quality, and 

changes in land-use patterns.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher in soil 

science or a closely related discipline that includes 30 

semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or 

earth science with a minimum of 15 semester hours in 

such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, 

soil physics, and soil fertility (see Note on page 7).

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“My greatest reward with NRCS 

is to see the smiles on producers’ 

faces when they get approved for 

conservation practices...I believe 

this is the true meaning of the 

NRCS Mission Statement—Helping 

People Help the Land.”

James Currington 

District Conservationist

Alabama

“Working with natural resources 

was never a job, it was always a 

calling. I simply love what I do.”

Jay Fuhrer

District Conservationist

North Dakota

“I help people help the land...by taking as much of the administrative burden off our employees as I can...so they can 

devote themselves to getting conservation on the ground. I 

may be a background player in the conservation game, but I 

have no doubt about the importance of my role.”

Eileen Jackson

Human Resources Specialist

Washington

I’m a Conservationist...I wouldn’t have it any other way!

BIOLOGIST

As an NRCS biologist, you’ll spend most of your 

time onsite working with private landowners, other 

agencies, and units of government. You’ll provide 

technical support and advice on fish and wildlife 

habitat development or restoration. You’ll suggest 

ways to manage fish and wildlife populations, 

restore streams and wetlands, and improve habitat.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher in the 

biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource 

management, chemistry, or other related disciplines (see 

Note on page 7).

 

RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST 

NRCS rangeland management specialists help plan 

grazing systems that improve the quality of forage 

and other grazing land functions. You’ll suggest 

ways to use grazing animals as tools to improve 

and sustain natural resources. You’ll offer advice on 

water management, invasive species control, and 

sustainable forage production. Whether landowners 

want to use their rangeland to support livestock, 

wildlife, recreation, or a combination of these, you’ll 

tailor conservation plans that will help landowners 

meet their goals.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher in range 

management or a related discipline that includes at least 

42 semester hours in a combination of plant, animal, and 

soil sciences and natural resource management, with at 

least 18 semester hours in range management; at least 15 

semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, 

animal, and soil sciences, including at least 1 hour in 

each of these three scientific areas; and at least 9 semester 

hours of course work in related resource management 

subjects (see Note on page 7).

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“Being a public affairs specialist allows me to celebrate 

conservation—highlighting the 

profound contributions of our 

land stewards while raising 

awareness in the community.”

Jolene Lau

Public Affairs Specialist

Hawaii (Pacific Islands Area)

“I can’t solve the world’s problems, but I can help one 

individual...make some real positive changes that will have 

positive effects on a larger scale, and that is success.”

Brian Baiamonte

District Conservationist

Louisiana

“I know we are helping people today, providing hope for 

tomorrow’s generations, and building on what many other 

employees have done in the past to give people and communities the opportunities to preserve precious natural resources.”

Jay Kehne 

Resource Conservation & Development Coordinator

Washington

ENGINEER

NRCS employs a large number of engineers who 

have specialized skills in erosion control, water 

management, structural design, construction, 

hydraulics, soil mechanics, and environmental 

protection. We also employ those with general 

engineering skills. Your job assignments may 

include restoring streams, controlling erosion, 

developing water systems for livestock, improving 

and conserving irrigation water, or restoring 

wetlands. As an NRCS engineer, you will help solve 

a host of natural resource problems, and may also 

become involved in helping communities recover 

from natural disasters.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher 

in engineering. Specialties include agricultural, 

environmental and civil engineering.

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

As an NRCS engineering technician, you’ll be 

involved in planning, design, and construction work. 

You’ll help with surveying the land, plotting survey 

information, and laying out construction measures. 

You’ll gather data, make computations, and prepare 

maps and cross sections of profiles. You may serve 

as a construction inspector on a wide variety of 

projects.

Qualifications: Experience on a survey crew running 

levels and transits or on construction layout and 

inspection (see Note below). 

Note: Qualifications for many jobs may be met with 

a combination of education and experience. Please 

contact your local NRCS Human Resources Office 

for details.

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I’m a Conservationist...I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The Natural Resources Conservation Service 

also offers careers for people trained in the 

following areas:

ACCOUNTING

AGRONOMY

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

CARTOGRAPHY

CONTRACTING

ECOLOGY

FORESTRY

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

GEOLOGY

HUMAN RESOURCES

HYDROLOGY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

PLANT SCIENCES

PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE

 ASSISTANCE

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS

PURCHASING

SOCIOLOGY

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

WETLANDS SCIENCE

Other Careers in the Natural Resources

Conservation Service

Other Careers in the Natural Resources

Conservation Service

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TEAM APPROACH

At NRCS, we know that natural resource issues 

are often complex, and sometimes require a variety 

of skills to address a problem. That’s why NRCS 

believes in an inter-disciplinary team approach. If 

you encounter a tough problem, you won’t be alone. 

Regardless of your job title, you will have access 

to, and back-up from, NRCS specialists in all our 

disciplines. We believe that by working together—

each of us contributing our skills—we can tackle the 

toughest natural resource challenges. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

NRCS is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants 

will be considered without regard to race, color, 

religion, gender, national origin, age, politics, 

disability, sexual orientation, marital or family 

status.

TRAINING AND ADVANCEMENT

You will get many chances for on-the-job and formal 

training. You’ll set career goals and NRCS will help 

you achieve them.

There are promotion opportunities. How fast and 

how far you advance depends on you. Advancement 

opportunities broaden as you gain experience with 

varied work assignments in different locations.

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NRCS Provides NRCS Provides

PLACEMENT AND SALARY

NRCS has more than 2,500 field locations 

throughout the United States. Regardless of your 

location, there may be opportunities where you want 

to work.

Starting salaries are competitive with those of other 

government agencies and the private sector.
I’m a Conservationist...I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Employee Benefits Employee Benefits

During your first 3 years of service, you’ll earn 

13 days of vacation leave each year. After 3 years, 

you’ll earn 20 days. After 15 years, you’ll earn 26 

days.

Each year, you will also earn 13 days of sick leave. 

You may accumulate sick leave without limit to 

cover serious illnesses. Sick leave may also be used 

to care for family members.

Special benefits are available if you are disabled or 

injured while working.

QUALITY OF WORKLIFE

NRCS offers flexible work schedules and programs 

to help employees balance the demands of work 

with personal and family responsibilities. These 

may include various alternative work schedules, job 

sharing, and telecommuting. Employee assistance 

programs are also available.

HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE

NRCS pays a portion (approximately 80 percent) 

of your health insurance costs, and there are a 

variety of medical plans offered under this voluntary 

program. NRCS also offers new employees the 

opportunity to sign up for both long-term care 

insurance and tax-advantage savings accounts for 

dependent care and healthcare-related expenses.

Another voluntary program provides life insurance. 

The amount of insurance available to you depends 

on your salary, and again, NRCS pays part of the 

cost.

RETIREMENT

Federal employees hired today are covered by the 

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). 

This system has three components: Social Security, a 

basic annuity, and a tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan. 

FERS employees may contribute any percent of their 

salary (up to the limits established by the Internal 

Revenue Service) to the Thrift Savings Plan, and 

NRCS will match up to 5 percent of that amount. 

Depending on your investment goals, you can invest 

in any combination of government securities, stock, 

and bond funds.

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For information on how to apply, 

contact your local NRCS office, 

or visit us online at 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov 

See job opportunities at 

http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9nrcshqp.asp

STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE

Each year, NRCS hires students under its Student 

Career Experience Program. If you are still attending 

college or graduate school, you may qualify.

You can alternate periods of work and study, or 

work on a part-time schedule while attending school. 

You’ll work for, and learn from, NRCS professionals 

in your field of study. You’ll learn by doing and earn 

while you learn.

NRCS also offers students other options such 

as internships and temporary employment 

opportunities. Participation in these programs could 

lead to a job offer and a full-time career when 

you graduate. For more information, contact your 

school’s placement office or cooperative education 

department.

VOLUNTEERS—A VITAL PART OF THE 

TEAM!

NRCS also provides volunteer opportunities. The 

Earth Team—the volunteer workforce of NRCS—

expands conservation work across America with 

volunteer time, talent, and energy. The Earth Team 

is continually looking for volunteers who want to 

help conserve, protect, and maintain our natural 

resources. Stop in and visit a local NRCS office 

or call 1-888-LANDCARE to learn more about 

becoming an Earth Team Volunteer.

For Job Information For Job Information

Every day,

NRCS keeps its commitment to

protecting and conserving 

natural resources

on America’s private lands.

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United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

www.nrcs.usda.gov

Revised July 2008

PA-1634

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, 

color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, 

sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is 

derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities 

who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center on (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 

Washington, DC 20050-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is a equal opportunity provider 

and employer.

Helping People Help the Land