Conservation scientists and foresters held about 36,500 jobs in 2014.
The industries that employed the most conservation scientists in 2014 were as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service
34%
State government, excluding education and hospitals
24
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
17
Social advocacy organizations
10
The industries that employed the most foresters in 2014 were as follows:
Support activities for agriculture and forestry
22%
State government, excluding education and hospitals
21
Forestry
14
Federal government, excluding postal service
9
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
9
Conservation scientists and foresters work for governments (federal, state, or local), on privately owned lands, or for social advocacy organizations. In the western and southwestern United States, they usually work for the federal government because of the number of national parks in that part of the country. In the eastern United States, they often work for private landowners. Social advocacy organizations employ foresters and conservation scientists in working with lawmakers on behalf of sustainable land use and other issues facing forest land. These organizations are concerned with the long-term impact of carbon emissions on forests worldwide.
Conservation scientists and foresters typically work in offices, in laboratories, and outdoors, sometimes doing fieldwork in remote locations. When visiting or working near logging operations or wood yards, they wear a hardhat and other protective gear.
The work can be physically demanding. Some conservation scientists and foresters work outdoors in all types of weather. They may need to walk long distances through dense woods and underbrush to carry out their work. Insect bites, poisonous plants, and other natural hazards present some risk.
In an isolated location, a forester or conservation scientist may work alone, measuring tree densities and regeneration or performing other outdoor activities. Other foresters work closely with the public, educating them about the forest or the proper use of recreational sites.
Fire suppression activities are an important aspect of their duties, which involve prevention as well as emergency responses. Therefore, their work has occasional risk.
Work Schedules
Most conservation scientists and foresters work full time and have a standard work schedule. Responding to emergencies or fires may require them to work more than 40 hours per week.