People Team AI Ask about a date

How exposed to AI is a Conservation Scientist?

Of the 30 tasks O*NET lists for conservation scientists, 8 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 5 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
ConservationistEnvironmental AnalystEnvironmental Quality ScientistErosion Control SpecialistLand Reclamation SpecialistLand Resource SpecialistResearch Soil ScientistResource Conservation SpecialistResource ConservationistSoil Conservationist
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
30
tasks rated for this occupation
96%
hold a degree, from a survey of 23
23k
people do this job in the US
13 of 60
least protected in science

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

8
  • Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals
  • Provide information, knowledge, expertise, or training to government agencies at all levels to solve water or soil management problems or to assure coordination of resource protection activities
  • Analyze results of investigations to determine measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management
  • Develop, conduct, or participate in surveys, studies, or investigations of various land uses to inform corrective action plans
  • Coordinate or implement technical, financial, or administrative assistance programs for local government units to ensure efficient program implementation or timely responses to requests for assistance
  • Review or approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans or conservation district plans
  • Review proposed wetland restoration easements or provide technical recommendations
  • Develop or conduct environmental studies, such as plant material field trials or wildlife habitat impact studies

Only with software built on top

17
  • 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
  • Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions
  • Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations
  • Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources
  • Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices
  • Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions
  • Enter local soil, water, or other environmental data into adaptive or Web-based decision tools to identify appropriate analyses or techniques
  • Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification
  • Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation
  • Develop soil maps
  • Initiate, schedule, or conduct annual audits or compliance checks of program implementation by local government
  • Identify or recommend integrated weed and pest management (IPM) strategies, such as resistant plants, cultural or behavioral controls, soil amendments, insects, natural enemies, barriers, or pesticides
  • Review annual reports of counties, conservation districts, or watershed management organizations, certifying compliance with mandated reporting requirements
  • Review grant applications or make funding recommendations
  • Conduct fact-finding or mediation sessions among government units, landowners, or other agencies to resolve disputes
  • Develop water conservation or harvest plans, using weather information systems, irrigation information management systems, or other sources of daily evapotranspiration (ET) data

Cannot be sped up

5
  • Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications
  • Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans
  • Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members
  • Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans
  • Manage field offices or involve staff in cooperative ventures
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET 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. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.