Soil Conservation Technician

When most people look at soil, all they see is mud, which they try desperately to keep off their clothes, cars, and carpets. A select few, however, see soil for what it really is: life, as soil feeds crops, which feed people, who in turn feed economies, communities, and progress.

If you’re one of those rare individuals who look at soil and see not dirt, but rather trees, families, food, and jobs, you may have the makings of a successful Soil Conservation Technician.

Soil Conservation Technicians assist and support Soil Conservationists, who work to conserve soil and water resources, which improves the environment by addressing such land problems as erosion, overuse, and chemical alteration.

Employed by farms, engineering firms, governments, universities, private enterprises, and land developers, Soil Conservation Technicians do the nitty-gritty of soil conservation work. Prior to the start of conservation projects, therefore, you assist Soil Conservationists by: gathering land data; collecting soil and water samples; documenting conservation practices currently in use, or the lack thereof; and surveying, mapping, and staking land to help landowners select, maintain, and install appropriate soil conservation measures (for example, grass waterways, terracing, tree planting, irrigation ditches, grass seeding, surface irrigation, or fertilization).

Once a soil conservation project is underway — and complete — your work continues, as you’re responsible for scheduling meetings with landowners and inspecting the project to make sure it’s done correctly.

Because soil conservation helps increase crop yields and preserve wildlife, you’re an environmental crusader who spends your days saving both earth (soil) and the Earth (the planet)!