Conservation Jobs in the United States

Conservation Jobs Overview

If you would love to work protecting and restoring ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity, conservation jobs might be the right path for you. As a conservationist your main goal is to improve the health of our planet’s natural resources. You’ll also have the chance to work in a variety of settings, including forests, wetlands, and oceans.

Job duties vary depending on your specific role. For example, in some wildlife conservation jobs or animal conservation jobs, you might find yourself conducting scientific research on habitat destruction and developing strategies for conserving them. In some environmental conservation jobs, your main duty is to educate the public about effective conservation efforts that they can put into action in their everyday lives.

Salaries for Conservation Jobs

The U.S. average conservation specialist salary is $39,503 per year within a range of $26,696 to $69,590. In locations with high demand, the average pay reaches over $70,000 per year, like in the case of Washington, DC.

Browse and compare salaries across the country with Monster’s Salary Tool. Use it to learn if you’re receiving a fair pay, which locations near you pay the most, and discover similar interesting and well-paid careers.

How to Find the Conservation Job That Fits You

To help you find conservation jobs matching your goals, preferences, and qualifications, here are some questions you should ask yourself:

• What type of organization would I like to work for? For example, a nonprofit, government agency, or research institution.
• Are there any specific qualifications or specializations I have or could take to apply for more senior jobs in conservation?
• What is my preferred work environment? For example, fieldwork, office-based, or a combination of these.
• What are your long-term career goals in conservation? And therefore, which types of conservation jobs align with your career aspirations?

Finding Conservation Jobs That Match Your Qualifications and Goals

When looking for the right job opportunity, you must go beyond a simple job title. Start by identifying and evaluating your key qualifications, including your educational background, relevant work experience, certifications, and skills related to conservation. Then, reflect on your long-term aspirations to help you target opportunities aligning with them.

For instance, if your goal is to become a marine conservation specialist, assess your qualifications in areas such as marine biology, habitat conservation, and research techniques specific to marine environments. Or, if your goal is to work on community-based conservation initiatives, seek out organizations that prioritize community engagement and participatory approaches.

After you identify your strengths and goals, start browsing and reading thoroughly the descriptions of jobs in conservation to learn the most common requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications sought by employers. By understanding and taking into consideration the job description you can individuate the most fitting opportunities for you and tailor your application material.

Research the Employer to See if Your Values Align

Looking at a job posting is not enough to know if an employer would be a good fit for you. To be sure, you must go deeper and look up things like mission statements, recent projects, initiatives, press releases, and employee and client testimonials.

How to Apply to Conservation Jobs

If you are eager to pursue a career in conservation and make a positive impact on the environment, the following tips and examples will help you navigate the application process with ease. Let’s dive in and discover how to effectively apply for jobs in conservation and land your ideal role.

What Makes a Good Resume for Jobs in Conservation?

Writing a good resume is important as it’s your first impression and opportunity to get employers move you to the next phase. Study the job description and then customize your resume to ensure it matches the requirements. Here’s how:

• Highlight your relevant experience and skills in conservation, including details about your contributions, accomplishments, certifications, and essential software proficiencies in the conservation field. For example, if you conducted research on biodiversity conservation, mention the methodologies used and outcomes achieved.
• Quantify your accomplishments to provide tangible evidence of your impact. For example, mention the number of hectares restored or the percentage increase in the wildlife population.
• If you’re a recent graduate or have limited professional experience, highlight coursework or research projects that showcase your understanding of conservation principles and practices.
• Save yourself some time by downloading one of our resume templates or using Monster’s Professional Resume Writing Services.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter?

Complete your application with a compelling cover letter. Following our recommendations to really stand out:

• Begin your cover letter by explaining your genuine passion for conservation. For example, share a personal story that ignited your interest in the field. This helps create a connection with the reader and demonstrates your commitment to making a difference.
• Do your research about the organization and incorporate your knowledge into your cover letter to showcase your alignment with their goals and values. This demonstrates that you are genuinely interested in contributing to their specific conservation initiatives.
• Expand on the key qualifications, experiences, and skills mentioned in your resume, and that directly relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. This shows that you are well-suited for the role, which is exactly what the organization is looking for.

Submit Your Application

Monster is a convenient platform to browse and apply for conservation jobs on. Follow these tips for optimizing your application process:

• Start by creating a free Monster account. Then, complete your profile by uploading up to five resumes optimized for conservation jobs to share with recruiters and companies hiring.
• Activate the job alerts to receive updates on jobs in conservation near you. This’ll increase your chances of receiving job proposals from recruiters and you’ll avoid missing interesting new opportunities.
• Browse job listings near you or across the country and click on “Apply” when you’re ready to proceed. By applying to jobs through Monster and tailoring your job application material you can optimize your chances of being shortlisted.

How to Follow Up on Your Job Applications

Following up on your applications is a good idea when done right. First, check if the job description or confirmation email, points to a specific deadline. If yes, be respectful and wait until after that deadline has passed. If not, allow one to two weeks before following up.

The most appropriate and professional follow-up methods are sending an email or making a phone call. In certain cases, depending on the organization’s work environment and structure, you can also consider visiting their office. Conduct your follow-up with the contact person in the job posting, or the organization’s hiring manager. If you don’t have that information, reach out to the HR department or the general email address provided on the organization’s website.

Be professional in your approach, express gratitude for the opportunity to apply, and briefly summarize what makes you a strong candidate including your interest in working for the employer. For example:

• “I recently applied for the wildlife conservation specialist position at Employer Name and wanted to express my continued interest in the role. With my strong background in wildlife management and proven experience in habitat restoration projects, I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the organization’s conservation efforts. I would appreciate it if you could give me any updates regarding the status of my application or let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.”

Interviewing Tips for Conservation Jobs

Want to leave a great impression at your next job interview? Use the following job interview tips and answer as many mock job interview questions related to the conservation field and job role you’re interviewing for as you can beforehand.

How to Prepare for Your Conservation Job Interviews

Refresh your knowledge of the job description and what the ideal candidate for the role looks like. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the organization’s current conservation projects and keep the job description in mind to align your responses with their requirements, goals, and values.

What’s the Interview Process Like?

Job interviews typically start with introductions and some informal conversation to establish rapport. Use this opportunity to build a positive connection with the interviewer by being friendly, enthusiastic, and professional. After that, you’ll answer behavioral and situational questions that assess your skills, abilities, and knowledge in the conservation field.

These are examples of questions you might encounter when interviewing for conservation jobs:

• Can you share your experience with conservation projects or initiatives in line with what our organization does?
• Describe your approach to working with local communities to promote sustainable practices and conservation awareness.
• How do you integrate technology and data analysis into your conservation work?
• How do you incorporate biodiversity assessments into your conservation plans? Can you provide an example of a project where you applied this approach?
• How do you measure the success or impact of your conservation initiatives?
• How do you navigate and address conflicts or disagreements within a conservation team or with stakeholders?

Following Up on Your Job Interviews

Show professionalism and leave a positive impression by promptly sending a thank-you note to each one of your interviewers. Then, if you were provided with an estimated timeline for the hiring process, respect it and wait until it passes before reaching out to inquire about the status of your application. With no timeline provided, wait at least three to five days after the interview before sending a follow-up email.

What to Do When You Get an Offer for a Conservation Job?

Don’t sleep on a job offer when you receive one, but promptly answer within a few days even if you’re not sure whether to accept it or not. You don’t want recruiters to think you have lost interest in the job but you don’t want to make a rush decision either so it’s important to take time or ask questions if you need to.

Signing a contract is a big deal and you want to be certain that you’re comfortable with the terms before doing so. Think about any aspects of the role, responsibilities, benefits, growth opportunities, or vague contract terms and conditions that you’re not sure about. If you feel the offer or benefits are below your expectations and want to negotiate, approach the discussion professionally and use industry standards and your qualifications to highlight your value.

Career Paths for Jobs in Conservation

To work as a conservation scientist, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation, environmental conservation, or a related field. However, with a master’s or doctorate degree you can access better-paid jobs and senior positions, such as:

• Environmental director: Oversees conservation programs and initiatives within organizations, develops strategies, coordinates projects, and ensures compliance with environmental regulations.
• College professor: Educates and mentors future conservationists and contributes to scientific knowledge through research at universities and colleges.
• Conservation policy analyst: Researches and analyzes environmental policies, assesses their impact on conservation efforts, and provides recommendations for policy improvements or changes.
• Conservation geneticist: Studies the genetic diversity of populations, develops conservation strategies, and assesses the impact of human activities on species survival.

Similar Occupations

Check out other jobs in life science such as:

• aquatic biologist
• zoologist
• marine biology
• natural science manager
• wildlife control agent