Also called: NRCS Soil Conservation Technician, Conservation Technician
Helps farmers protect soil and water by designing and checking terraces, buffer strips, and cover crops.
A conservation tech drives from farm to farm surveying slopes with GPS, laying out grass waterways, and checking that conservation practices were built right. Most work for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service or county conservation districts.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate or bachelor's in agriculture, natural resources, or soil science.
Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Soil Science, Natural Resources, Agriculture (2-year).
Shrinking (about -2% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 19-4071: Decline (-1% or lower).
Low risk for 10 years. GIS and AI help design terraces and plan practices; on-farm surveys and working with farmers stay human.
Classes: Earth science, Agriculture science CTE, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4071.
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