Profession conservation scientist

Conservation scientists manage the quality of specific forests, parks and other natural resources. They protect the wildlife habitat, biodiversity, scenic value, and other unique attributes of preserves and conservation lands. Conservation scientists perform field work.

Personality Type

• Social / Realistic
• Investigative / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Business management principles

  Principles governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.

• Animal species

  The characteristics of different species and breeds of animals (relevant to the occupation).

• Geographic information systems

  The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

• Ecology

  The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.

• Biology

  Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

• Environmental legislation

  The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

Skills

• Use ICT recources to solve work related tasks

  Ability to choose and use ICT recources in order to solve related tasks

• Conduct educational activities

  Plan, perform and supervise educational activities for a variety of audiences, such as for school children, university students, specialist groups, or members of the public.

• Educate people about nature

  Speak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a range of formats e.g. display signs, information sheets, posters, website text etc.

• Respond to enquiries

  Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.

• Develop environmental policy

  Develop an organisational policy on sustainable development and compliance with environmental legislation in line with policy mechanisms used in the field of environmental protection.

• Identify plants characteristics

  Identify and classify crop characteristics. Be able to recognise different types of bulbs by name, graded sizes, field markings and stock markings.

• Write work-related reports

  Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.

• Educate the public about wildlife

  Speak with groups of adults and children to teach them how to enjoy the forest without harming it or themselves. Speak in schools or with specific youth groups if called upon. Develop and teach programs related to nature conservation.

• Manage contracts

  Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.

• Estimate duration of work

  Produce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given project.

• Measure trees

  Take all relevant measurements of a tree: use a clinometer to gauge the height, tape to measure the circumference, and increment borers and bark gauges to estimate the growth rate.

• Advise on nature conservation

  Provide information and suggested actions relating to the conservation of nature.

• Coordinate educational programmes

  Plan and coordinate educational and public outreach programs such as workshops, tours, lectures and classes.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB